Suffering from mental health challenges feels like an attack on your body, mind, spirit, and family. Anxiety grips the mind, making us worry over things that are not worth the angst. Depression crushes the spirit, going far beyond mere sadness and bringing a crushing weight to our limbs. Our family recedes into the distance as we isolate behind the wall of our struggles for months or years. If you find yourself stuck in this trap, though, you don’t have to go it alone. There are plenty of people and programs that are dedicated to helping you get better. In fact, there are many different types of therapies and treatment options for mental health, so you can find one that meets your needs and goals. If an intensive outpatient program for anxiety or depression is a good fit, you may be able to use health insurance to cover the cost.
What Is an IOP?
An intensive outpatient program for anxiety or depression – or an IOP – offers treatment throughout the week with no residential component. Rather than living at a facility, IOP clients will visit a care center – such as the Longbranch IOP in Metairie and Covington – for a certain number of hours several days each week. Clients will participate in counseling, therapy, classes, and more, healing from the roots and learning how to live a healthy life in the future.
In all, IOP offers a more holistic and comprehensive treatment plan than a weekly therapy or psychiatry appointment might provide. You also can use IOP to build a network of such providers, so that when you finish treatment, your support system is already in place for the long run.
The main benefit of an IOP is that clients return home at the end of the day. For that reason, an IOP program is best for people who can’t leave work for an extended period or who can’t move away from their families. It is best for people with a strong support system, however. A stable home environment is crucial to stay safe in between sessions.
For the right person, IOP can be as effective as residential treatment in helping clients heal.
Will Insurance Pay For IOP?
Many health insurance providers – such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, UMR, and Aetna – will offer to cover some or all of the cost of an IOP for anxiety or depression. Longbranch Recovery accepts most insurances and is in network with the following plans: Aetna, Beacon, Blue Cross Blue Shield, ComPsych, First Health, Gilsbar, Humana, Magellan, Optum, Tricare, TRPN, and Zelis. The exact amount of coverage you can expect depends on the provider and the plan.
If you are considering IOP for mental health, reach out to your administrator or your insurance company to find out what is covered. That way, when you pick an insurance program, you know exactly what you will be responsible for paying. You also can call our team and have us verify your benefits for you. We work with insurance companies every day to help people afford treatment for mental health, and we can help you, too.
Send us a chat right on this page, or give us a call to find out more about how to pay for IOP – using insurance or other payment methods. Because it is less intensive than residential mental health treatment, IOP for depression, anxiety, or PTSD may be more affordable than you think.
Starting IOP for Mental Health
If you feel an IOP for anxiety of depression may be right for you, contact out to our staff at Longbranch today. Our counselors will listen to your story and help you find new hope for healing
