Does Health Insurance Cover Psychological Disorders?

Suffering from and then overcoming an illness is quite a struggle. The journey is hard and we may often find ourselves entwined in the discomforts that a chronic illness causes. The symptoms of physical discomfort are quite visible, generally identifiable and treatable too when diagnosed on time. The process of diagnosis and treatment is a bit convoluted as far as psychological disorders are concerned. But with the changing times, mental health disorders have become a hot topic of awareness and more and more people are coming forward to speak about them. The same change can be seen in the field of health insurance as well. 

What are Psychological Disorders?

Commonly referred to as mental health disorders or disorders of the brain that cause permanent or long term changes in the behaviour of the person concerned. These abnormalities can greatly affect the day to day life of the patients as well as their decision-making abilities. The actual cause of these disorders is still not known but the chemical imbalance of the brain and trauma are two of the main potential causes here. Other causes may include childhood memories, genetics, physical illnesses, stress, etc. Mental health disorders can be of several types ranging from eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, depression as well as psychosis. Just like any other illness, multiple mental health disorders can exist in one person. The primary symptoms of a psychological disorder may manifest in the form of prolonged change in behaviour. 

Does Health Insurance Cover Psychological Disorders?

Until recently, psychological disorders were not a part of health insurance plans in the UAE. Most health insurance companies did not recognize psychological disorders as diseases that may need an insurance cover. But there has been a paradigm shift in the area. Now, most insurance providers offer cover for psychological disorders as well. Similar inclusions and exclusions apply to psychological disorders covered by health insurance in the UAE. The stigma around mental health disorders has been slowly shattering providing people with access to healthcare they truly deserve. 

Causes of Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders are often a result of physical or mental trauma that affects brain. Here is a list of potential causes of psychological disorders:

• Facing negligence and/or abuse in childhood
• Personal or family history of psychological disorders
• Poor psycho-social environment
• Poor socio-economic condition 
• Absence of parent(s)
• Involvement in criminal activities
• Substance abuse 
• Chronic physical illnesses that cause prolonged discomfort such as cancer
• Physical trauma from childhood or other stages of life

Common Symptoms of Psychological Disorders 

Common behavioral symptoms of psychological disorders include the following:

• Hostility and aggression towards people in general
• Subjecting to alcohol abuse suddenly 
• Anxiety attacks 
• Noticeable differences in energy levels
• Weight gain or loss
• Eating too much or too little
• Confusions about general day-to-day activities
• Shifts in mood and irritable behaviour
• Denial of the condition
• Social withdrawal
• Suicidal thoughts
• Threatening behaviour towards oneself and others
• Loss of interest in activities that were pursued earlier 

Additional physical symptoms:

• Unexplained physical issues such as aches and pains
• Tiredness and lethargy
• Disturbed sleep patterns 
• Sudden change in weight 
• Changes in appetite  
• Signs of self-harm such as cuts and burns

Treatments for Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders can be successfully treated with medicines and therapy. Although the most important part of psychological illness treatment is the recognition and acceptance of the problem followed by access to required healthcare. Unlike physical illnesses, psychological disorders are often denied and remain untreated for a long time. Psychotherapy is the main course of treatment for psychological disorders. Hospitalisation and pharmaceuticals are also prescribed as per the prevailing symptoms of the individual patient. In cases of substance abuse medical professionals may advise rehabilitation. For psychosis, the patient may be admitted to a mental health facility or a psych ward. Here is a list of some common medicines that are prescribed to treat psychological disorders:

• Antidepressants and antianxiety medications
• Antipsychotic medicines to treat psychosis 
• Cognitive therapy for behavioural disorders
• Mood stabilizers 

You may also be referred to a therapist or group therapy sessions depending on your condition and type of disorder. 

Features of Health Insurance Plans with Mental Health Cover

• Similar Benefits as Physical Illnesses: The best thing about health insurance in the UAE for psychological disorders is that the benefits offered are similar to other physical illnesses. From hospitalization to medicines and ambulance charges, everything is covered by the insurance plans for mental disorders. 
• Cover for Therapy: Rehabilitation therapy for psychological disorders is one of the most important modes of treatment. Health insurance in the UAE now covers the cost of rehabilitation therapy for treating psychological disorders as well. This ensures that the policyholders have a well-rounded scope of protection. 
• Consulting and Counselling: Doctor consultation and counselling are also extended as a benefit of the health insurance plans for mental health disorders. The specialist consultations may require a reference from the primary care physician as per the plan that you have chosen. 
• Better Exposure for Patients: The availability of mental health disorders cover in health insurance in the UAE has now made it easier for the patients to recognize, accept and tackle the illnesses. The exposure, attention and financial help that psychologically disordered patients get with health insurance in the UAE is commendable. 

What is Covered in Mental Health Disorder Insurance?

From doctor consultation to hospitalization, the most basic benefits of a health insurance plan are covered for psychological disorders. Diagnostic tests, radiology tests, pharmaceuticals, ambulance charges, rehabilitation charges, daycare benefits, room rent for the hospital, etc. The extent of these benefits may alter as per the details of your plan though. No special conditions apply for the psychological disorders that someone needs to get treated for. The waiting period may be applicable on some plans for psychological disorder cover. It could be just for a few benefits or for the whole coverage depending on the plan and the contract. 

What is Not Covered in Mental Health Disorder Insurance?

The common exclusions that apply to other diseases are also applicable in case of psychological disorders. Some insurance providers may not offer cover for doctor consultations for psychological illnesses but other benefits like hospitalization and room rent cover, stay the same. Apart from that, mental health disorders that are born due to alcohol abuse or another kind of drug abuse are also not covered by health insurance in the UAE. The exclusions apply here the same way they apply to alcoholic cirrhosis since alcohol consumption is considered to be a form of self-harm.  

Is There a Waiting Period Applicable to Mental Health Insurance Coverage?

A minimum 24-hour hospitalization is required to get the benefit covered by the health insurance plans. Apart from that, if psychological disorders are covered as pre-existing conditions, then an additional waiting period of 6 months to 2 years may apply, as is the case with all pre-existing diseases. The exact duration of the waiting period will depend on each provider and plan independently. Some more exclusive health insurance plans may have a shorter waiting period – only 6 months long while other, more cost-effective variants may have a longer waiting period. The best way to figure out the waiting period of health insurance plans for psychological disorders is by scanning the policy wordings. You also need to find out if your mental illness plan covers the conditions as pre-existing or generic. 

Which Diseases Are Covered in Health Insurance for Psychological Disorders?

The most commonly covered psychological disorders covered in health insurance for mental health disorders include the following:

• Acute Depression
• Schizophrenia
• Obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Psychotic disorder

Who Should Buy Psychological Disorder Health Insurance?

Deciding whether you should buy a health insurance plan with mental health disorders covered can be tricky. Psychological disorders are not always as easily diagnosable as physical illnesses. They often present as changes in behaviour and/or mood. For example, some people may think a person is just grieving when they are actually depressed. In a situation like this, one should opt for a health insurance plan with a psychological disorder if they have a family history of mental health disorders. People with any genetic history of the same may also consider opting for mental health disorders covered in health insurance plans. Apart from that, folks who have been exposed to childhood trauma, severe physical trauma or abusive living environment should also consider taking psychological disorder health insurance in the UAE. 

How to Find the Best Health Insurance in UAE for Mental Health Disorders?

The ideal way to find the best health insurance in the UAE for psychological disorders is by conducting a thorough research on the topic. Even when most parts of the coverage are similar, some small but important differences can make or break a health insurance plan for you. For example, not every health insurance plan will cover doctor consultations. Research and find the top contenders as per your needs. Compare them one last time to get the best health insurance in UAE for psychological disorders and then go with that plan. Make sure you consider both the cost and the benefits offered by the plan and do not compromise too much on either of the aspects. 

In a Nutshell 

The awareness around mental health has improved over time, yes, but the stigma still revolves around it. Many people have started talking about it in open and in fact mental health advocates have tried hard to highlight the importance of it. Mental health affects moods, consequently the ability to navigate smoothly through life. It is important to make all required arrangements to make sure you have all the tools to combat this disease and that includes health insurance in the UAE as well. If required, you can ask for assistance from our experts and buy a plan that most suited to your needs. 

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