Would you like to know if NYS insurance companies do cover licensed creative art therapy? Creative art therapy is a great type of mental health care that works through artistic expression to help with emotional healing and psychological health.
Residents of New York State (NYS) are finding they now have insurance coverage for licensed creative art therapy services, which not only makes them more accessible but also more affordable.
This article looks at the types of insurance policies that might cover art therapy, eligibility requirements, and which companies in NYS might have them.
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Now, let’s get started.
What Is Creative Art Therapy, And Why Is It Important
Creative art therapy encompasses a variety of therapeutic techniques, including art, music, dance, drama, and other kinds of creative expression.
Licensed art therapists use these methods to help people process emotions, boost their mental and emotional health, deal with stress, anxiety, and depression, and help with trauma.
As a form of therapy, it is particularly helpful for those who find it difficult to verbalize their emotions as it presents an outlet, a nonverbal option to express complex feelings.
Licensed creative art therapists (LCATs) in New York State have completed rigorous training and certification; they have a master’s degree in creative art therapy or a related field, have completed supervised clinical hours, and have passed a licensing exam.
As creative art therapy is gradually becoming a valid type of mental health treatment, the state is becoming more and more willing to recognize this and thus provide it more credibility and accessibility through insurance.
Does Health Insurance Cover Creative Art Therapy In New York State
Even in New York State, coverage for creative art therapy varies from one plan to the next and from one insurance provider to another. In general:
Private Health Insurance: Several private health insurance plans provide mental health benefits, including licensed creative art therapy as a behavioural health or mental health service.
Specific coverage, however, depends on the insurance policy and the network of providers.
Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care Plans: In New York, Medicaid will cover some mental health services, including creative art therapy in some instances. Medicaid-managed care plans will pay for therapy services when determined medically necessary.
Employer-Sponsored Health Plans: In New York, some employer-sponsored plans include comprehensive mental health coverage and access to licensed creative art therapists.
If a particular plan covers a creative art therapy session, it’s important to review the policy details or ask an insurance representative before undergoing a session.
Which Insurance Companies In NYS Cover Art Therapy
In New York, some insurance companies will cover licensed creative art therapy under mental health benefits. Some of the most commonly recognized insurers in NYS include:
BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS): Many BCBS plans, like Empire BlueCross BlueShield, cover creative art therapy sessions.
Aetna: Creative art therapy services may be covered under Aetna’s mental health coverage, and the specifics of coverage depend on the plan.
UnitedHealthcare: Some art therapy services may be covered under a UnitedHealthcare plan and in a provider network.
Cigna: Creative art therapy is included in Cigna’s behavioural health coverage as long as it’s medically necessary.
Medicaid Managed Care Plans: Medicaid plans in NYS that might cover art therapy for qualifying people include Medicaid-funded care plans provided by managed care organizations, such as Fidelis Care, Healthfirst, and EmblemHealth.
Because these insurers usually require services from a licensed professional, clients must ensure their creative art therapist is on the insurance network.
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How Do You Check If Your Insurance Covers Creative Art Therapy
To verify if your insurance plan has coverage for creative art therapy:
Review Your Policy: Check your insurance policy’s mental and behavioural health sections. This section should describe the types of therapy and treatment providers it covers.
Contact Customer Service: To verify whether your insurance covers creative art therapy, they almost always have a customer service hotline, where a representative will explain this.
Use Online Provider Directories: Many insurers provide online directories of in-network providers. You can search providers by specialization or profession (e.g., licensed creative art therapist).
Consult Your Therapist: Licensed Creative art therapists are frequently experienced in the types of insurance taken. Talking to a prospective therapist about coverage will, at the very least, confirm if they are in network with your insurance.
Here’s how to determine if your insurance plan will pay for the out-of-pocket costs of getting creative art therapy sessions.
What Are The Requirements For Art Therapy Coverage In NYS
Insurance coverage for art therapy often comes with specific requirements, such as:
Medical Necessity: Insurers may want proof that creative art therapy is necessary to someone’s mental health. A diagnosis often comes from a licensed mental health professional.
In-Network Providers: To maximize coverage, clients may need to choose a therapist within their insurance provider’s network. In this case, out-of-network sessions may incur higher out-of-pocket costs.
Referral or Prior Authorization: Other plans may even ask you to present a referral from a primary care doctor or have prior authorization from the insurer before therapy starts.
Coverage Limits: Art therapy, like other forms of therapy, may be covered by insurance plans, but the number of covered therapy sessions per year is usually limited.
As clients understand these requirements, they can better use their insurance plan’s provisions, receiving the most from their coverage.
Are There Alternatives If Insurance Does Not Cover Art Therapy
For individuals whose insurance does not cover licensed creative art therapy, there are alternative options to help make therapy more affordable:
Sliding Scale Fees: Many therapists offer sliding-scale fees based on income to offer low-rate sessions for those on a shoestring.
Community Mental Health Centers: Art Therapy, especially for individuals without insurance, is easily available at a lower rate in New York through various community health centres, especially mental health services.
Non-Profit Organizations: However, some non-profits and charities, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Art Therapy Outreach Center (ATOC), can provide art therapy services at low cost or for free.
Grant and Scholarship Programs: Some companies and organizations offer grants or scholarships to subsidize the price of creative art therapy for economically disadvantaged people.
By exploring these options, creative art therapy can become more accessible to those who are not (or cannot be) insured.
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What Should You Do If Your Insurance Claim For Art Therapy Is Denied
If an insurance claim for creative art therapy services is denied, consider the following steps:
Review the Denial Reason: Read the denial letter carefully to understand why the claim was not approved. The problem could be that the service was not deemed medically necessary or that the provider was out of network.
File an Appeal: Most policies include an appeals procedure to contest a denied claim.
Ensure you provide supporting documents or evidence that would help prove that you need art therapy.
Seek help from a Patient Advocate: The appeal process can be complicated and daunting.
If that becomes the case, you might have to seek help from a patient advocate to increase the chances of your appeals yielding results.
Contact the New York State Department of Financial Services: NYS’s insurance regulatory agency can investigate insurance claim issues, and you can file a complaint without additional legal fees if necessary.
These steps can make the denial counterproductive and allow access to the therapy required to get support for mental health.
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Conclusion
Creative art therapy is a form of accepted mental health treatment in New York State through a process known as licensed creative art therapy.
Clients can more easily access this immensely valuable therapy by knowing the different kinds of insurance coverage in place and how to verify and maximize benefits.
Alternative payment options give people another pathway to get help if they experience barriers.