Mental health services for the uninsured?

[LarryD2]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 10:40am

I'm hoping that the hivemind here might be able to help me out as I try to help a friend.

I have a fairly close friend who is going through a rather dark period. He was recently let go from his job (this was a huge blow -- his job was his identity in many ways) and his relationship does not seem to be going well. He's barely hanging on with savings and unemployment and he lost his health insurance when his job was terminated.

My friend has a history of mental health issues although he was not currently in treatment or taking medication when he lost his insurance. Understandably, the recent change in his professional and personal circumstances has left him in a bad place, and I really think he needs help. Obviously though it's hard to get mental health care (or any health care for that matter) when you're not insured.

I'm really not knowledgeable at all in this area, and I was wondering if anyone here was aware of mental health services -- counseling etc -- that are available to uninsured people. I'm going to see him next week and I want to have some options I can present him with.

Thanks in advance.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 10:41am

Does he work in entertainment at all?

[LarryD2]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 10:44am

Unfortunately, no. He was a systems analyst.

Updated On: 8/26/16 at 10:44 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 10:47am

Ah- if he did, I would have recommended The Actor's Fund. Unfortunately, my knowledge of this topic is exclusively within the realm of theatre/entertainment.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 11:02am

Here's a list of mental health services for the unisured in the NYC area:

https://therapysafetynet.org/resources/additional-resources-uninsured/

[LarryD2]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 11:06am

Thank you, Erik. I'm going to send him that link.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 1:26pm

Larry, even though he was let go from his job, if he had health insurance through his company, in almost every instance,he should have been offered COBRA which is the right to continue one's health insurance for up to 18 months by paying the full cost of the coverage (most employers pay a large portion of the cost for active employees). While the cost of the unsubsidized premium may be too much for him long term, if his health plan had mental health benefits which most do these days, he might consider just keeping it for a month or two so he can utilize those benefits to get him through this rough patch and then drop the coverage which you can do at the end of any full month.

Also, if he was on good terms with his employer and his employer had an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) which typically provides access to trained counselors, he might ask if his employer might be willing to allow him to continue to access the program for a few additional months. Some employers might be willing to do that for a good employee who had to be let go for budget and business reasons, rather than for poor performance or misconduct.  

Good luck.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 1:30pm

When I last spoke with him (and told him I thought he needed help), he said that he was offered COBRA but couldn't afford the payments. The number he said sounded really high (like $500/month). Is that normal?

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 1:39pm

LarryD2 said: "When I last spoke with him (and told him I thought he needed help), he said that he was offered COBRA but couldn't afford the payments. The number he said sounded really high (like $500/month). Is that normal?

 

Unfortunately, yes, it is. People whose company pays a large percentage of the cost of their health coverage often have no idea how much that coverage really costs until they have to pay it all themselves. Depending on the plan he had, $500 doesn't seem out of line at all.

 

[LarryD2]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 1:43pm

That's depressing to hear. I'm not apprised of his finances, but it sounds like he doesn't have a ton of surplus savings, and he's mostly getting by on unemployment and whatever help his partner has been offering. There would be no way he could afford a $500 monthly COBRA payment. 

This whole situation has been really eye-opening to me. My spouse is a public employee so he carries our benefits at no cost. I always knew we were lucky in that respect but I didn't realize the degree.

[javero]

Posted: 8/26/16 at 6:11pm

Larry,

I sincerely hope your friend is able to turn the corner soon.  And I'm really heartened by the sound and prompt responses from others on here.  This message-board rocks!

[John Adams]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 12:37pm

Depending on what state your friend lives in, general healthcare is available at an affordable rate (in my case, in my state, I had to pay only $25/visit). I don't know how your/his state functions, but for me, mental health treatment was offered and provided through my general healthcare provider.

Since your friend is receiving unemployment compensation (also, possibly the equivalent of whatever name your state calls "food stamps" now), I would think he would have a caseworker assigned by the County he lives in (at least that's how it worked in my state). Again, I don't know how his/your state operates, but contacting your County Services (and his caseworker) would be the starting point I would recommend.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 8:10pm

I spoke to  a Yankee friend of mine re this. She suggested  checking church( religious) outreach groups. Even if you are not a member they often don't ask about affiliation.  Also, along the same lines she joined OE Anon just to use the group support after her mom's death and  still goes now , tho more to payback.

 

It Gets Better- Just Keep Swimming-

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/27/16 at 9:04pm

Why we need Universal Health Care that includes mental health issues NOW!

 

[binau]

Posted: 8/28/16 at 12:02am

SNAFU said: "Why we need Universal Health Care that includes mental health issues NOW!

 

 

"

Exactly. To explain the process in Australia - anyone can go to a general practitioner medical doctor for free, explain that they are having some issues with their mental health and then receive a referral to see a psychologist for up to 10 sessions per year free of charge*

* The system isn't perfect - the actual funding provided by the government is not enough for most psychologists, so will charge a substantial gap fee. However, there are psychologists that will only charge at the level of the government rebate so it's still possible to access mental health services at a free cost.

Bernie was right on this one. You guys need a universal public health care system.  

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/29/16 at 6:23pm

I do believe Hillary will make some adjustments. It will take years. Loved the pharmacies in Spain. You go in get all your Meds, $5.