Mental Health Appointment Guide

You can check in on your mental health by answering the following questions:

• Are you having any anxiety or stress due to COVID-19 or other factors?
• Has your energy level decreased?
• Do you have unexplained aches and pains?
• Are you having trouble concentrating or making decisions?
• Have you lost interest in your hobbies or friends?
• Are you unable to do daily tasks such as taking care of your children or working?
• Are you sleeping more or less than usual?
• Have you been feeling down and blue lately?
• Are you feeling lonely or isolated?
• Are you smoking or drinking more than usual?
• Is drug use interfering with your life or relationships?

Based on how you are feeling about these concerns, you may want to consider speaking with a mental health provider. The information below can help you prepare for your next visit.

Making an Appointment

Find a provider:

Different types of mental health providers can help you with different concerns. If you need to find a mental health provider, your primary care provider (PCP) can help you figure out how to get the care that is right for you.

You can use Medical Mutual’s Provider Search tool, or call Customer Care at the number listed on your member ID card. If you have mental health questions, you may also call the Medical Mutual Nurse Line toll free at 1-888-912-0636, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mental health services, such as office visits and inpatient or outpatient treatment, are covered by your Medical Mutual plan. Depending on your plan, a copay may be required. Please refer to your Summary of Benefits and Coverage or your certificate book for details. These documents are available on My Health Plan under Benefits & Coverage.

Telehealth considerations:

Through telehealth (telemedicine), you can connect virtually with your mental health professionals. Scheduling a telehealth appointment means you can receive the same care without having to go to their office.

Mental health telehealth visits are covered the same as a standard office visit. Find out more by viewing this telehealth flier.

At Your Appointment

Questions to ask:

You might need to try a few different mental health providers before you find one that feels like a good fit. Try to remain open and positive during this process. Asking questions at your first appointment can help you decide if the provider is right for you. Some possible questions you can ask when considering a mental health provider include:

• Do you offer telehealth visits?
• Are you willing to communicate with my PCP and other healthcare providers to coordinate my care?
• How long will my therapy sessions last?
• Will I have to talk about anything I do not want to?
• How soon might I start to feel better?
• Do you have someone I can contact during off-hours to help me in case of an emergency?

You can ask yourself the following questions to help decide if you are comfortable with your provider:

• Do I feel listened to and respected?
• Are my health concerns being addressed?
• Do I understand the words the provider uses?
• Am I able to contact the provider or office staff with questions?
• Do I have a follow-up plan?

Care coordination:

It is important to coordinate care between your PCP and mental health provider. Care coordination brings your providers together to share clinical information and develop clear, shared expectations about their roles. It also helps with efficiency and makes it more likely you’ll be satisfied with your overall treatment.

You will need to give consent to your mental health provider to allow the exchange of information with your PCP. Print out this consent form, complete it and take it with you to your next mental health appointment.

Additional Considerations

If you are prescribed medication:

Not all mental health providers can prescribe medication. If you are prescribed a medication as part of your treatment plan, remember to ask your provider about possible side effects and whether they will decrease over time. Check if there could be interactions with other medications you are taking and share any other concerns you may have. If you are unable to afford it, ask if a lower-priced medication can be prescribed.

You should also find out whether you will need to make another appointment to get a refill or if you can have refills or changes to medications made over the phone.

It is important to take medication as prescribed. Some medications, including antidepressants, typically take two to four weeks to start working, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t notice a difference immediately. Do not stop taking any medication without your doctor’s guidance.

If you have been in the hospital for a mental health concern:

After you get home from a hospital stay, a follow-up appointment with your mental health provider within 7 days can help prevent repeat hospital stays, emergency room visits and medication errors. Please bring your discharge paperwork and a list of your medications to this appointment. Your provider can review all the medications and supplements you are taking and let you know about any potential negative interactions between them.