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Paying for Mental Health Care

At the University, health care—including counseling and other forms of treatment for mental health problems—generally is paid for in one or more of these three ways:

Don't let concerns about the possible cost of mental health care stop you from seeking the support you need. There are ways to arrange payment, and people ready to help you.

The health service fee is paid each semester as part of tuition by students who are enrolled for classes on the Ann Arbor campus. This is who we mean by the term "currently enrolled U-M students." Students who are between semesters (during semester breaks and over the summer if students are not enrolled) and students on the UM-Flint or UM-Dearborn campuses are NOT considered currently enrolled UM students. The health service fee covers services at UHS for approximately one week before and two weeks after the term. These times are called grace periods. Grace periods vary by school, so please contact UHS Business Office at (734) 764-7380 for specific dates for your school. For currently enrolled students, the health service fee covers:

  • All services available at Counseling and Psychological Services;
  • Most services at UHS including clinician visits, laboratory testing and x-rays. For details about what is and what is not covered, see the UHS website.

Private health insurance is the most common means of payment for health care in the U.S., though not all people have health insurance policies. Certainly, not all insurance policies provide the same coverage. It can be confusing. The nature of coverage for mental health treatment and the number of visits covered by the insurance vary widely. If you want counseling or other forms of treatment for mental health problems and want insurance to pay for it, you should find out:

  • If you have coverage through your own health insurance policy or through the policy of a family member;
  • Which mental health services are covered by the insurance policy;
  • If there is a yearly limit on the number of visits for counseling;
  • If the policy will pay for treatment by the counselor or physician you want to see;
  • If and when you need a referral from your primary care provider;
  • How to obtain other forms of prior authorization that may be required by the insurance company.

Call the insurance company (the number is on your insurance card) or use their website. If you want to see a particular counselor or physician, call his or her office and staff will let you know if they accept your insurance.

When you call for an appointment, ask how the counselor or physician bills for treatment. Even if you have insurance you may be required to pay the entire bill and then get reimbursed by your insurance company. Be aware that you are responsible for co-payments (almost all insurance companies require you to pay a small amount of the total charge) and payment of non-covered services. Many offices expect payment at the time of service.

Patients who pay from their own funds because they have no insurance, or their insurance does not cover the treatment they want, and/or are not currently enrolled often can arrange to pay on a sliding fee scale. This means that the counselor or physician will charge according to what you can afford, based on your household income and financial circumstances.

  • When you call for an appointment ask if they have a sliding fee scale.
  • If you want to use the sliding fee option, you should bring proof of income (tax forms, pay check stubs, etc.) for your entire household with you to your first appointment.
  • Even counselors and physicians that don't advertise a sliding fee scale may be willing to make arrangements to accommodate your financial circumstances. Ask to speak to the financial office when you check out after your first appointment.

For more information and assistance staff at these offices on campus can help you, depending upon your health insurance coverage: