Use Your Insurance/Medicaid Company As a Resource: Part Nine The Top 10 Things I Wish I’d Known On My Child’s Mental Health Journey
From a mother who never imagined her once squirrely and sweet six-year-old would face such tribulations as an adolescent, I wish to share the lessons I’ve learned, the opportunities I wish had been presented to me, and the essential navigation tips that might not have prevented our situation but would have undoubtedly eased our journey.
If you suspect even a mild concern about your child’s mental health, please hold onto this list. You might not be ready to tackle it just yet, but if you’re reading this, it means you’re aware, and awareness is the first step. As a mother who was once not ready to face these realities, I implore you to save this list.
The summer my child attempted multiple times, I found myself in an emotional trap that oscillated between rage and devastation on top of fear, exhaustion, and complete desperation. What does a family do when all of the major resources in the state say they cannot help but offer no direction? The parent has to figure it out.
I am eternally grateful to a friend who directed me to a national navigator, who in turn educated me on securing a case manager through our insurance company. This case manager has been an absolute game-changer.
She connected us to an outstanding treatment facility, and she’s become such an integral part of our lives that I half-jokingly consider her my new best friend. She’s always there when we’re exploring new resources and treatment options. I only wish I had known about this support system much earlier.
You have the right to reach out to your insurance or Medicaid company’s customer service at any time for basic information. They can assign a case manager to you who will guide you through more complex needs, helping you find intensive resources, be it residential treatment or substance abuse programs.
The process of getting a case manager varies with each insurance company, but typically, your child needs to be identified as having increased needs. Start by calling the customer service line. Detail your child’s needs and the difficulties you’re facing in accessing support, and express your desire for a case manager. They’ll walk you through their specific process, ask further questions, and lay out the next steps for you.
Over the next few weeks join me in this series where I share each of the things I wish I would have known to hopefully help someone else along their journey.
