How to find a United Healthcare psychiatrist
Learn how to navigate the process of finding a psychiatrist who accepts Unite. Learn about coverage, in-network options, and tips for your mental health care journey.d
Key takeaways
- Finding a United Healthcare psychiatrist can significantly improve your mental health concerns through personalized treatment and support.
- If you’re seeking help for a loved one, consider using United Healthcare’s provider search to find a suitable psychiatrist in your area.
- It’s essential to verify that the psychiatrist accepts your United Healthcare plan to ensure your visits are covered and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
If you’re struggling with your mental health and seeking professional treatment, insurance can help you pay for the services you need.
Getting help from a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, is the first step to improving your mental well-being. A psychiatrist can evaluate you, diagnose you, and provide you with a personalized treatment plan.
We’re here to help you find the right provider for you—especially one who takes your insurance. Read on to learn about how to find a United Healthcare psychiatrist and other important considerations.
Does United cover mental health?
Yes, United Healthcare covers mental health services. Thanks to legislation like the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are required to provide mental health coverage comparable to physical health coverage. These laws emphasize that mental health care is just as important as physical health care.
Every health insurance plan is slightly different when it comes to benefits. However, psychiatric services that are usually covered are:
- Initial psychiatric evaluation
- Medication management
- Prescription drugs
- Outpatient psychotherapy (talk therapy)
- Counseling services
- Intensive outpatient services
- Partial hospitalization
- Inpatient/residential treatment
- Emergency care
Thoroughly review your benefits so you know what mental health services your plan covers. It’s also important to check if there are any specific requirements or limitations on the type of provider or treatment setting. For example, some plans may require you to get a referral to see a psychiatrist. HMO plans are more likely to require referrals than PPO plans.
All of this information is outlined in your health plan details. Make sure you’re clear on your benefits before you book your first appointment. Need help? Don’t hesitate to contact United Healthcare member services or your benefits team at work for clarification. You can find United phone number number on your insurance ID card.
How to identify In-network United psychiatrists
If you’re ready to start treatment with a United psychiatrist, here are some tips for finding an in-network provider:
- Browse your insurance’s directory: United has a useful behavioral health provider directory where you can search for in-network providers whether you have an employer, individual, state exchange, Medicare, or Medicaid plan. From here, you can browse providers near you. Keep in mind this directory may not be 100% up-to-date. Contact the provider and make sure they accept your plan, even if they appear in the UHC directory.
- Use online directories: Sites like PsychologyToday.com and ZocDoc.com have extensive directories where you can search by specific criteria to help you find a provider who meets your unique needs. You can filter by not only health insurance plans but also location, gender, specialties, and more.
- Choose a virtual Talkiatry psychiatrist: Talkiatry is a national psychiatry practice that treats various mental health conditions. We make it easy to find a provider who’s a match for you. We’re in-network with over 60 major insurance carriers, including United Healthcare. Complete a quick, free online assessment to get matched with a psychiatrist and get treatment from the comfort of your own home.
However, it's important to remember you shouldn’t just choose a psychiatrist based on whether they take your insurance. You also want a psychiatrist who fits your needs and who you feel comfortable with. Here are some factors to consider:
- Their specialty: Although psychiatrists receive extensive training about all mental health conditions, it’s often more helpful to choose a psychiatrist who specializes in your concerns (such as anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, or mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder). They will have the most expertise in treating your symptoms. If you’re looking for someone who specializes in children, adolescents, or even the elderly, ask about that, too.
- Personal preferences: Some people feel more at ease with a provider who is similar to them. For example, you might feel most comfortable with a female psychiatrist if you're a woman. When filtering psychiatrists, you can consider factors like gender, race, age, or anything else that can help you feel comfortable.
- Where they practice: Decide if you prefer in-person appointments or virtual telehealth appointments. If you want to see a psychiatrist in person, make sure their office is located within a doable distance from your home.
- Patient testimonials: You may consider checking reviews or ratings from current or past patients. This can give you an idea of how the psychiatrist practices, but remember to take this with a grain of salt. Everyone’s different, and just because a provider wasn’t the right fit for one person, it doesn’t mean they won’t be the right fit for you.
How to schedule your initial mental health visit
Once you’ve found a psychiatrist who looks good to you, it’s time to schedule your first appointment. Here’s how to do it:
- Confirm availability: Some in-network providers tend to be pretty booked up, so check with the office to see if they’re accepting new patients. If they’re not, you can ask if they know when they will be or get on the waitlist.
- Cross-check coverage: Always err on the side of caution to ensure coverage. Ask the psychiatrist if they accept your insurance carrier and specific plan, and then double-check with your insurance company.
- Get ready for your first appointment: Make sure you bring your insurance card, any paperwork the psychiatrist requires, and a list of any questions or concerns you have. Plan to be at the office (or in the virtual appointment) for at least an hour. The first appointment is always the longest since the psychiatrist will complete a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to diagnose you and present you with treatment plan options. Expect to answer questions about your symptoms, medical history, family history, and past mental health diagnoses.
How much do United psychiatrists cost?
There isn’t a fixed price for United psychiatrists across the board. Rather, the exact out-of-pocket cost depends on the specifics of your health plan. Some important factors that play into costs are:
- Your deductible: You have to spend a specific amount of money out-of-pocket before your insurance begins to pay for services. Your deductible resets every year. In most cases, the more you pay for your monthly premium, the lower your deductible is.
- Your coinsurance: This percentage amount determines what you must pay out-of-pocket for services. For example, your plan may cover 80% of the cost, and you owe 20%. This amount might change after meeting your deductible.
- Your copay: This is a flat fee you’ll pay for services at the time of your appointment. After meeting your deductible, you’ll probably still have to pay a copay, but it depends on your plan.
Your specific insurance plan will determine your deductible, coinsurance, and copays. Even within United Healthcare, each plan has unique predetermined costs.
Remember: It’s most cost-effective to choose a psychiatrist who’s in-network with your plan. This ensures that you’ll have the least out-of-pocket expenses and maximize your insurance coverage. Some United plans have out-of-network benefits that help you pay for services from healthcare providers who aren’t contracted with United. However, if your plan doesn’t have out-of-network benefits, you will have to pay full price if you choose a psychiatrist who doesn’t take United.
With the help of a psychiatrist, you can take control of your mental health and improve your well-being.
Related articles: Finding a Humana psychiatrist, Optum psychiatrist, or Cigna psychiatrist.
FAQs
Here are more details about finding a psychiatrist that takes United Healthcare.
What types of mental health services do United Healthcare psychiatrists offer?
United Healthcare psychiatrists typically offer a range of mental health services and psychiatric care, including evaluations, therapy, medication management, and support for various mental health conditions like anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and bipolar disorder.
How do I verify if a psychiatrist is in-network with United Healthcare?
To verify if a psychiatrist is in-network with United Healthcare, you can call the psychiatrist's office directly or check the provider directory on the United Healthcare website. It's important to confirm this information to ensure your visits are covered by insurance.
The information in this article is for education and informational purposes only and should never be substituted for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.
