Top Healthcare and Insurance Insights All in One Place

When it comes to health, everything is connected. It’s hard to take care of your physical health if you’re constantly anxious or depressed. On the flip side, it’s hard to have a positive mindset if you’re dealing with chronic pain or stressful medical conditions. This is especially true if you’re worried about the cost of getting the care you need. The good news is that health insurance makes caring for both your physical and mental health much more affordable.

Many mental and behavioral health services have to be covered

Insurance companies have some say over what they cover and to what degree. Some services, however, are defined by the US Health Care Department as essential health benefits.

All insurance providers are required to cover essential health benefits. The specifics vary by state, but essential benefits always include emergency services, maternity and newborn care, lab services, preventative care, pediatrics, prescription medication, and mental health services.

The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act passed in 2008, requiring coverage for mental health that’s comparable to physical health coverage.

Currently, essential mental health services include:

• Behavioral health services, like therapy and counseling
• Inpatient services
• Substance use treatment

Treatment for all mental health disorders, from anxiety and ADHD to bipolar depression, is covered. If you’re concerned about your dependence on substances, that’s covered too. Insurance companies are required to charge the same copay for office visits as those for medical or surgical office visits. They also can’t deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, you can still seek treatment as an adult and rest easy knowing you’ll be covered. Marketplace plans can’t add a cap on yearly or lifetime essential care costs, either. You’ll still have to meet your annual deductible first, but the rest of your care will be covered.

What are the limitations of mental health care coverage?

While insurance companies can’t enforce an annual cap on visits to a mental health professional, they’re still allowed to define what types of visits are considered “medically necessary.” For this reason, depending on the type of care you need, your insurance may only cover a certain number of mental health visits per month or year.

Similarly, while prescription medications are covered, you may still have to pay a certain percentage. HealthBird Rx card is a great, free resource to further reduce the cost of your next trip to the pharmacy. With insurance coverage and an Rx card in hand, most medications are affordable– much more affordable than the cost of paying out of pocket, or neglecting care until it’s a far more costly emergency.

How to use your insurance for mental health care services

Getting the care you need isn’t nearly as intimidating as it seems. Now, insurance providers often cover telehealth options so that members can talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist from the privacy of their own homes. To find out what services are covered by your current health insurance plan, review your plan’s policy guide or call your insurer’s customer service hotline for the details.

If you’re not insured or your old plan isn’t cutting it, you’re in luck. Open enrollment is the best time to enroll, so now is the perfect time to start weighing your options.

The HealthBird app is a great place to start. After you answer a few questions, you’ll have a list of quotes curated just for you. Look over the details of each plan in the running to see which one is the best fit for your care needs.

If you’re not sure which one is right for you, reach out to our 24/7 chat, and we’ll point you in the right direction. We’re feeling more relaxed just thinking about it!

Why Health & Wellness Should Be Simple

Looking for an affordable telehealth subscription that also covers mental health, fitness, and nutrition? Meet MedPass, the all-in-one health and wellness membership designed to help you stay on top of your well-being.

Unlike traditional health insurance, which focuses on treating problems after they occur, MedPass helps prevent them before they start—empowering you to take control of your health without the high costs.

What is MedPass?

MedPass is a subscription-based health and wellness solution that gives members access to instant virtual care, unlimited mental health support, personalized fitness and nutrition, and prescription savings—all in one easy-to-use app.

It’s not a replacement for traditional health insurance, but a powerful addition that provides proactive health management, on-demand access to experts, and flexible wellness solutions tailored to your lifestyle.

Why Choose MedPass?

MedPass isn’t just an app—it’s a community of people prioritizing their health in a way that fits their lifestyle and budget.

✅  Unlimited 24/7 Telehealth Visits

✅  Unlimited Mental Health Support 

✅  Personalized Nutrition

✅  AI Wellness Chat

✅  At-Home Fitness

✅  Classpass Credits

✅  Prescription Discounts

Flexible & Affordable Membership Options

MedPass offers three flexible membership tiers to fit your needs:Additionally with MedPass Premier & Premier+, you get deeply discounted Classpass credits every month on top of the ones you will receive with your plans. Use them for in-person fitness classes, wellness experiences, and more.

Reviews

⭐ "I can’t believe how affordable MedPass is for how much is included! I used to pay over $100 per therapy session—now I get unlimited mental health support for under $100/month!" – Member since 2024

⭐ "I love how simple it is! I booked my first telehealth visit in minutes and got a prescription discount right away." – Member since 2024

⭐ "Just created a personalized meal plan in seconds—loving the app!" – Member since 2024

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does MedPass compare to traditional health insurance?

MedPass is not a replacement for health insurance but a complementary wellness plan that offers affordable access to telehealth, mental health, fitness, and nutrition—without any additional costs or surprise bills.

2. Can I cancel my MedPass subscription anytime?

Yes! MedPass offers flexible monthly/quarterly plans, and you can cancel anytime—no contracts, no obligations.

3. Do I need a referral to use MedPass’s telehealth services?

No referrals needed! MedPass gives you direct access to virtual doctors, therapists, and wellness experts whenever you need them.

📲 Join MedPass Today and start your journey toward better health, on your terms!

20 years ago, if you got an earache or struggled with migraines, your only option was to drag yourself to the doctor’s office.

Due to the pandemic in 2020, many healthcare providers began offering virtual doctor’s visits to high risk individuals. The new telehealth offering made healthcare more accessible for the elderly and anyone with autoimmune conditions who couldn’t risk contracting COVID-19. A blessing in disguise, we quickly realized the endless benefits of telemedicine that still apply long after the end of mask mandates.

Now, many insurance providers include telehealth options to patients, making it easier than ever to get the care you need.

The perks of using telehealth services

Easier access to care for older adults or those with limited mobility

Going to the doctor can be stressful for most people. For seniors and anyone with mobility challenges, making it to a doctor’s appointment in person can be even more of a headache than it needs to be. Telehealth options allow people to take care of basic health needs from the comfort of their home. No worries about arranging transportation or fighting traffic.

Easier access for those living in rural areas

Going to the doctor is also tougher if you live miles away from the closest health care provider. Instead of having to take time off work just to get a minor illness checked out, you can chat with a care provider and potentially get a diagnosis and prescription without even putting on pants.

Convenient care options for treating minor conditions

Why go all the way to the doctor when some conditions are so common, easy to diagnose and treat from afar?

More support for family caregivers

For those helping to care for adult family members, telehealth is huge. Now, they can meet with their loved ones’ care providers virtually, allowing them to provide better care even when they can’t attend every doctor’s visit in person.

No waiting for an appointment

With traditional doctor visits, it can take weeks before a health care provider has an opening. Even when they do, they’re often running behind. Patients are stuck waiting for an hour or more past their scheduled appointment time just to check on an annoying cough or renew a prescription. Telehealth visits can often be booked the same day. If a physician is running late, you can always catch up on your Netflix watchlist while you wait.

More environmentally friendly

For all of us trying to live greener, telehealth takes the gas usage out of medical appointments. It’s a small difference, but every little step counts!

Quick mental health support when it counts

Anyone who needs help with emotional wellness can benefit from a less stressful healthcare experience. Telehealth lets people talk with a licensed therapist and get screened for mental health conditions without the inconvenience of having to drive to an intimidating office.

How telehealth works

There are several ways to access telehealth services, but most follow a similar format. Appointments are scheduled using an online portal. The portal also allows patients to review test results, ask for prescription refills, or send a confidential message directly to their care provider. At the time of their scheduled appointment, they visit with their doctor or nurse over the phone or via video chat. From there, care providers may diagnose and treat patients, or recommend that they come into the office for a more in-depth assessment.

Covered telehealth services

Telehealth includes many common services including the following:

• Care for recurring conditions like urinary tract infections or headaches
• Skin care help
• Common urgent care issues, like coughs and flus
• Authorization for relevant lab tests and/or delivery of results
• Prescription renewals
• Follow-ups after surgery
• Preventative care consultations to track ongoing conditions
• Mental health care
• Treatment of ADHD and anxiety

Telehealth isn’t a replacement for routine preventative care visits, vaccinations, and any diagnoses that require a hands-on approach. Blood work and imaging has to be done in person too. That said, many of the most common health care services are offered virtually, and many insurance companies are on board.

We recommend that you carefully review the specific benefits and coverage details of your individual health plan to understand the telehealth services available to you. Please be aware that the availability and extent of telehealth services may vary depending on your plan type and the carrier or insurer that provides your coverage.

What to know before your first telehealth visit

Firstly, before you sign up for an insurance plan, check to see what telehealth services are covered. You can also call your existing insurance provider to find out what your options are. Fortunately, most providers cover telehealth visits now.

To prepare for the visit, document vital information like your weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar if you’re diabetic. Keep track of your symptoms so that you can share the most accurate information at the time of your appointment. If there’s a specific injury or condition you’d like them to see, consider taking close-up photos of the area in advance.

If your virtual care provider will be different from your usual one, request medical records from your old provider in advance. That way, you won’t have to waste any time explaining your medical history during your virtual visit. It’s also helpful to come up with a list of questions in advance.

Not sure where to start with telehealth visits?

Call (833) 384-2473 or email at hello@healthbird.com for personalized support to help you get the right coverage and the right care for your needs.