Make Mental Health A Priority

Explore insurance options that fit your needs and budget with Covered California.

Life can get messy sometimes. Between making dinner for the kids, managing work stress and making sure grandma gets her medications, there’s a lot to juggle in everyday life.

When you’re the one who seems to take care of everything, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself.

Luckily, getting health insurance to protect your physical and mental health is easy and affordable with Covered California.

“In just a few minutes, you can get quotes on health insurance plans from top companies that provide free mental health services, from therapy to substance use disorders,” said Covered California Chief Medical Officer Dr. Monica Soni. “No matter what you’re carrying, from everyday stress to past trauma, it’s important to make sure you have the insurance you need to protect your mental health.”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to check in on your mental health coverage.

If you need health insurance, you may qualify for Covered California’s special-enrollment period. That means you can sign up for a health plan if you’ve recently experienced certain life changes, like losing your insurance or losing your job, getting married, having a baby or moving to a new area.

In many Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, mental health can still be difficult to talk about because of stigma, shame, language barriers or a tendency to put family needs first. As a result, it can be harder for people to seek care, even when support is needed. This year, more than 409,000 Californians enrolled through Covered California identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander, highlighting the importance of access to coverage that supports both physical and mental health.

Studies show that mental health is deeply connected with overall health. When people take care of their mental health, they see improved physical health. Conversely, people with physical health conditions are more likely to develop a mental health condition.

“We know that when people are depressed, for example, they’re often less able to do the things that are good for their health, like eating nutritious foods and exercising — and they are more likely to develop chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke,” said Dr. Soni. “It’s why managing your mental health alongside your physical health is key.”

If you’re experiencing changes in mood, behavior or thought patterns that are affecting your well-being or daily functioning, consider scheduling an appointment with a primary care physician to get a mental health assessment.

“Primary care doctors help figure out what is causing changes in how a person feels, thinks or acts,” said Dr. Soni. “We ask questions, do a checkup and order tests to make sure there isn’t another health problem causing the symptoms. This ensures the right diagnosis is made and the right kind of care is delivered.”

Mental health is influenced not only by physical health, but also social, environmental and behavioral factors — things like discrimination, housing instability, unemployment, access to educational opportunity, adverse childhood experiences, social isolation and substance use.

“Long-term discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other characteristics is associated with higher rates of anxiety, depression and other stress-related mental health problems,” said Dr. Soni. “When people are treated unfairly over time, that chronic stress can undermine mental well-being and affect physical health as well.”

All health plans offered through Covered California include a set of essential health benefits, and that includes free mental health and substance use disorder services. These services are considered preventive care, and that means they must be covered at no cost to you — even if you haven’t met your deductible — as long as you use an in-network doctor or hospital and the service isn’t part of any ongoing treatment.

Visit CoveredCA.com to learn more about available plans in your area, what financial help you may qualify for, and whether you can sign up during the special-enrollment period. You can also call Covered California’s service center at (800) 300-1506 to find information specific to your needs and situation.