Since October, more than 590,000 New Yorkers have signed up for health insurance through New York State of Health.
As CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State, I can tell you that our organization has been strongly supportive of the inclusion of mental health outpatient, inpatient and substance abuse services as essential health benefits. We also continue to encourage plans to offer alternative services to complement traditional medical and clinical mental health services.
However, New Yorkers must pay close attention to what they are buying. While all plans will cover essential health benefits, different plans cover them in vastly different ways.
To quote the brilliant philosopher Sy Syms, "an educated consumer is our best customer." That is exactly what you need to be when selecting plans and behavioral health services. We encourage New Yorkers to have thorough conversations with their chosen facilitator, counselor or plan navigator to help them determine which health plan is best for them, their medical and their financial situations.
The questions to ask include: Are my doctors and hospital in the plan I want? Will the prescription medications I need be covered? What will the medications cost? Are cost-sharing supports available to me? What co-pays will I owe? What mental health services will be available to me?
The deadline to enroll for coverage in 2014 is March 31, and the health plan you choose now cannot be changed until 2015. Educate yourself to gain the most individualized and appropriate plan.
Glenn Liebman is the CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State.