Depression can be debilitating. It can range in severity considerably, causing you to lose interest in daily activities, experience physical changes and even contemplate suicide. Unfortunately, this condition is all too common. The World Health Organization reports that more than 350 million people worldwide are currently suffering from depression.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of depression, treatment is highly recommended. With the right treatment, you can improve your mood and get your life back on track. Although depression treatment can be expensive, you may not have to pay all of the costs yourself if you have a health plan through Great West Insurance.
Great West Insurance Basics
Great West Insurance recently merged with Cigna. Today, all of Great West Insurance’s policies are managed by this company. However, Cigna still maintains a separate network of preferred providers for Great West Insurance customers. Thus, when choosing a provider for treatment, it is important to ensure that you have selected one of the Great West Insurance Depression Treatment Centers from this network, as opposed to a center from Cigna’s general network.
Estimating Your Benefits
All of Great West Insurance’s health plans cover depression treatment. In order to determine how much Great West Insurance will pay for depression treatment, you must consider several different factors, including:
- Your plan type – Several different plans are available from Great West Insurance. While some of these plans require you to meet a deductible, others do not. Likewise, coinsurance requirements and copays will differ as well.
- Your choice of provider – Choosing a provider from the Great West Insurance preferred provider network will ensure that you receive the maximum amount of coverage. For example, if you will be enrolling in an inpatient treatment program, you can save money by choosing one of the Great West Insurance Depression Treatment Centers from your plan’s network.
- Precertification requirements – Some of the more expensive depression treatment services may require prior authorization from the insurance company. For example, inpatient treatment received at Great West Insurance Depression Treatment Centers is more likely to be covered if you get permission from the insurance company before you begin the program.
- Type of treatment – Various types of treatment are available for patients with depression. Some treatments, such as hospitalization, are more expensive than others. Your doctor will recommend the treatment that is best for you.
Please keep in mind that insurance policies vary considerably. If you have questions specific to your plan, contact Great West Insurance directly.