Psychiatric Services For Mental Health: How Much Does A Psychiatrist Cost?

It’s not uncommon for people to use the labels “psychiatrist” and “psychologist” interchangeably, but these are two very different jobs with different responsibilities, educations, and professional scope. Understanding the difference between the two can help you know which professional may be right for you and be better suited for your mental health care.

What is a psychiatrist?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. For all intents and purposes, they have the same training and knowledge as your general doctor, but they chose psychiatry as their specialty. Because of their training and background, psychiatrists can prescribe medications to treat your condition just like your primary care doctor can.

This likely means psychiatrist visits will be more costly than when you choose other types of mental health professionals to work with and when you are considering how much does a psychiatric cost. They may include medication as part of your treatment plan, and they may refer you to another professional like a psychologist for talk therapy. Although medication is necessary in some instances, talk therapy offers more long-term treatments; this is why a psychiatrist often works alongside a psychologist or therapist.

Is a psychiatrist the same as a psychologist?

Psychologists typically obtain their Ph.D. or PsyD in psychology. In general, psychologists tend to approach mental health treatment with psychotherapy and theories, so they can evaluate, assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists are not able to prescribe medication. For medication management, you will instead need to take advantage of psychiatric care.

When would psychiatry be my best mental health option? 

If you’re struggling with mental health concerns, a psychiatrist will assess you for an underlying medical condition that could be causing your symptoms. They may prescribe medication, and they may refer you to a therapist or psychologist if they believe therapy will be helpful. They will work with you to create a comprehensive plan for your psychiatric treatment and recovery. You must take all these things into account when calculating how much does a psychiatrist cost and if the care is a good idea for you.

How much does a psychiatrist cost?

The cost of working with a psychiatrist will depend on where you live, your insurance provider, and your treatment requirements. In addition to their fee, certain psychiatric care, tests, and lab work all have various costs to consider. The average psychiatrist’s fee generally falls somewhere between $100 and $300 per appointment. As far as how much a psychiatrist cost without insurance, you should expect to pay up to $500 for the initial consultation and roughly $100 an hour thereafter for follow-ups. This can fluctuate depending on the doctor and your health insurance. For this reason, how much does a psychiatrist cost is a question that has no definite answer.

If you want to work with a psychiatrist, be sure to visit or call them and have a talk with their staff to figure out what your costs could be, including any tests you might need. In some cases, a psychiatrist may be able to work with you to to reduce the cost without insurance and make your visits more affordable. Speaking to your doctor ahead of time can also help you identify cost-saving treatment alternatives where possible. If you’re well-prepared, you can find ways to save money. Keep in mind that they can provide you with professional medical advice, much like your physician. This is why their costs may be higher than with other mental health professionals.

How can I afford psychiatric services?

While quality treatment won’t come cheap, there are options to help you make it more affordable for you. You can find a way to afford the in person care you need.

Use your health insurance

Your insurance provider is the easiest way to reduce the costs associated with getting treatment. Make sure you check to see if your insurance coverage includes a form of mental health coverage. In most cases, your health insurance will require you to get a doctor’s recommendation for treatment from a psychiatrist. This could lead to you having to pay referral costs. Also know that your plan may only cover a certain number of visits per year, and certain psychiatrists may not be covered under your plan. If you wish to mitigate costs via insurance, ensure the psychiatrist you choose is in your insurance in network providers before scheduling an appointment.

You should also be aware of the conditions of the Affordable Care Act, which was passed by the federal government that states that many healthcare providers must cover mental health problems, including things like substance abuse disorder services, and the in person care associated with treating them. If you don’t know the specifics of your plan, talk to your insurance provider about the outpatient mental health services that are available and what part you can expect the insurance cover. In some instances, you may qualify for financial assistance on mental health services as well. Check the details of your insurance coverage for the most detailed information or talk to your agent.

If you are trying to find a children’s health insurance program that offers behavioral health services or other mental health coverage options, you should talk to your health insurance company a out in network providers that provide services that are specifically for children.

Ask about sliding scales

Some community mental health clinics and the occasional psychiatrist will offer to price their psychiatric costs on a sliding scale. This means that the amount you are charged will depend on your income. Those who make more will pay more, so to speak. This may be beneficial if you are paying your psychiatrist cost without insurance. If you’re worried that your income may not be adequate to afford services, ask your primary care doctor about this option. They may be able to give you more details on how to save money when it comes to treating a mental health issue.

You may also talk to your employer about an employee assistance program, which may be useful in some fields or through certain companies. This type of program allows for you to take advantage of free or low cost mental health or behavioral health services when they are of a personal nature or work related.

Look for a reduced cost mental health clinic in your area

In many places, there are clinics that operate at an overall reduced cost, so people with low incomes or no insurance can afford their services. Though they may offer low-cost appointments, you might have to wait for a while to get on their schedule. These clinics may be a good idea if you are wondering how to pay a psychiatrist cost without insurance.

Try to save on your prescriptions

If your treatment turns out to require a prescription, this can be another area where you can cut costs. Some people opt for generic versions of the popular name brand medications. If you’re interested, make sure to ask for this at the outset if possible; you don’t want to switch medication during treatment unless you’re told to do so. There are also sites like GoodRx, which can show you the cheapest place to find your medication in your area. They’ll also offer discounts that aren’t connected with your insurance. This could also be handy for medication management.

Therapist reviews

“I have not been working with Andrea for long but I have found her to be compassionate and adaptable. I would recommend her to people who need help processing complex trauma and have found other talk therapy approaches unhelpful. She understands that while I practice and find merit in CBT type thought therapy, doing thought exercises while in the middle of a PTSD episode is unlikely to be possible. A person having flashbacks during an acute crisis is unlikely to be capable of doing thought exercises. Andrea seems to naturally understand something important that most medical professionals, in my extensive experience as both a worker and a patient, seem to miss these days: telling a person who is literally dying slowly and painfully that they should be able to meditate away that pain and carry on as normal without any medication or outside emotional support , is ridiculous. Andrea has been a breath of fresh air in that regard. She helped me realize that if a doctor or therapist isn’t able to empathize and they are approaching my problems cynically and with indiscriminate doubt, they cannot help me. Andrea is the first person in a long time that inspired me to hope they can help and trust that they will at the very least try.”

“I love working with Nancy! She’s been very empowering, very compassionate and very understanding. Whenever I text or even video call, I know she’ll be there for me and that she’ll provide me with an insight that will help me find my way. I’ve been really appreciative of this counseling services and I am so very glad I made the decision to do counseling. It’s an investment in ones health. I’ve been on psychotic meds for a whole decade and while medications numb the pain, they do not resolve it. Counseling does! I am definitely continuing to work with Nancy.”

Takeaway

The first step in dealing with mental health issues is acknowledging they exist. Then you can seek help. If that’s why you’re here, you’re already on the right path. Millions of others just like you have found effective treatments to heal from mental health issues. You can, too. Take the first step today. Be sure that you are also considering all your options when it comes to taking advantage of psychiatric treatment or mental healthcare. There are options to consider when it comes to saving money or making the most of your health insurance coverage, including sliding scales, local clinics, and a related employee assistance program.