Consortium of PA Mental Health Organizations Launches Health Insurance Marketplace Navigator Program to Help People with Mental Health Service Needs Enroll in Health Insurance Marketplace

Part of the recently launched Health Insurance Marketplace, the program provides support across PA

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A consortium of Pennsylvania mental health organizations has launched a Health Insurance Marketplace Navigator Program to reach out to the more than 220,000 Pennsylvanians who want insurance that covers both physical and behavioral health needs, such as treatment for depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol abuse. The recently launched Health Insurance Marketplace, created by the Affordable Care Act, is a new way to find health coverage that fits all budgets and needs.

The Affordable Care Act requires all Qualified Health Plans to provide behavioral health services, a positive approach for people who previously were not covered for all aspects of their healthcare needs.

The Navigators are offered by The Advocacy Alliance, Mental Health America Westmoreland County, the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association. Funding is provided by a grant from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, Department of Health and Human Services.

People throughout Pennsylvania can reach trained navigators to help them determine their eligibility for and enroll in insurance plans available on the Marketplace. Anyone in Pennsylvania may contact these Navigators for assistance, whether or not they are looking for insurance that specifically covers behavioral health needs.

Navigators can be reached at 1-855-274-5626 (toll free). Contact information for Navigators serving different regions of the state is available at www.pmhca.org.   

Language interpreter services are available. The TTY number for people who are deaf or hearing impaired is 1-877-962-5593.

About the Health Insurance Marketplace
With one application to the Marketplace, people can access all plan options and enroll in health insurance plans. Every plan in the new Marketplace offers essential health benefits, including doctor visits, preventive care and wellness services, hospitalization, prescriptions, and mental health and substance abuse disorder services, including behavioral health treatment.  Visit www.healthcare.gov for more information.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association