Pre-existing is a thing of the past.

But can they decline to cover, or to cover completely, a condition that arises because of the therapy, treatment, or the first condition?

Do you think it's a big deal that insurance companies read the notes/audit? I assume they know the meds we are all taking. If for example, someone is on Prozac, insurance knows. Isn't it the same thing? Are therapists putting htis info out there so they don't have to deal with insurance red tape and make more money?

No. No they can't decline partially or fully. ACA ended that practice

When you're reading articles off the internet don't forget to check the dates of them and the source. Then you can better decide the accuracy of the information.

Hi Annegriet,

It seems that you asked more than one question. I will paraphrase how I understood it and see if you meant this.

1. The question of pre-existing condition and being denied further coverage. Others have responded to this question.

1. Insurance companies can audit your notes?

I do not know the answer nor to what degree an insurance company may “audit” your “notes.”

I would think an insurer would want to know what was charged and if you attended such an appointment; that is, did you obtain services that you or your provider submitted a claim for.

I think that it would be unethical and unreasonable for any insurer to insist on knowing the details of your conversations with a therapist. That’s very private.

On the other hand, if a therapist gives a diagnosis (whether accurate or not), that may be in the purview of an insurer to know. I have no idea about this.

If someone seeks counseling for a say stressful life situation or wants supportive counseling, I don’t see how that would have any business being shared in detail with your insurance company.

It is very common for people to seek counseling when they are undergoing stressful situations.

I would like to think that there are many competent therapists, Just about anybody would be good or sufficient. Life experience as well as having various roommates that were or became psychotherapists convinces me otherwise. At the same time, I think there are a lot of people on the consumer end who would not be aware of a therapist shortcomings.

3. Employment discrimination?

Perhaps others can respond to this.

On the surface, I don’t know how any employer would necessarily be informed about your need for counseling. I don’t believe it would be a requirement to reveal that say a person went to counseling because of difficulty with a relative or offspring or spouse for example. And I don’t see how a counselor’s notes would be available to any prospective employer. All of this of course assumes that the person receiving services is not an ax murderer that has been apprehended and charged in addition to photos on the front page.

Psychological counseling is very common and acceptable by most normal, intelligent people within a somewhat sophisticated culture such as the US and Canada. True there may be cults or clandestine pockets of the weird (SCOTUS members?), but you’re not likely to seek gainful employment with any of these types (certain craft supplier’s perhaps found to have stollen ancient artifacts) are you?

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I think you’re good, AnnG. I imagine that you can feel confident in a very good measure of privacy as you seek help with life’s stresses and challenges.

I have known people who have vowed never to as much as date anyone who had never been in therapy. Seems reasonable to me ;-) but yeah, that was uttered during the ‘70s.

‘Scuse typos cuz I am tired and have crunchy body syndrome. Also, English is not my first language.

Working directly with any company means you have already accepted that is the only company you wish to have as your insurer. Working with a broker means looking at several company's so you can decide which one you want. Not all company's are equal just as all products of one company are good for each person.

Since this has been given new life I am expecting Manikal to provide the name or information for people to know what company they represent.

"Manikal" is a fake pro and a spammer. Please flag.

Whether it's physical therapy or for a mental problem, if your insurance policy covers it...USE the coverage. Denials for 'pre-existing' went away with the Affordable Care Act, AKA Obamacare for the Democratic administration that got it passed.

I have been employed in the employee benefits and health insurance business for many years. When a medical plan covers mental health, they are required to cover the visits the same as any medical condition. Generally therapy visits do not warrant a review of medical records. Usually medical records are only requested when the insurer considers something is off, and are concerned that there might be fraudulant billing issue.

That said, there are also stand alone mental heath plans that some employers use, rather than having mental health included in their standard medical plan. I have not worked with these plans, they may review treatment.

I haven't been in insurance brokerage for a score of years, but, used to be, mental health claims were subject to a different maximum.

My late husband was a Psychiatrist and I ran the front office doing insurance, appointments, etc. The insurance company, is given a code to describe the diagnosis. Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, etc. That is the only thing that goes on the insurance form.

All notes of sessions are private and belong to the physician. They can be requested by a court of law however it isn't easy. My husband worked until he was 78, both privately and in a large hospital. Unless it was a suicide and there was a malpractice claim (which does happen), everything was private.

In all the years I worked doing his insurance, I was never contacted by anyone regarding employment or anything else, asking the personal history.

I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Jane