You may have heard that insurers almost never cover Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) treatment because the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifies it as an Axis II personality disorder. Because Axis II personality disorders are considered constant and non-acute, most insurance carriers reject treatment claims.
If you or a loved one is suffering with BPD, the categorization of the condition as “non-acute” can be disheartening and the idea of having to get treatment without financial help daunting. However, depending on your insurance carrier and your plan, you may have some options.
Verify Your Recommended Treatment
Speak with your therapist or clinician and identify the variety and scope of therapy and treatment they recommend to help treat your BPD. While insurers do not typically cover Axis II personality disorders, they may cover treatment for co-occurring disorders such as substance abuse, depression, Bipolar Disorder, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders.
Your mental health professional will often recommend treatment for these disorders when submitting your claim to your insurer. Of course, treating these disorders (when present) is a crucial therapeutic step if you want a lasting recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder. Just be sure that treatment of your BPD does not go ignored.
By seeking coverage for co-occurring disorders rather than the overall Borderline Personality Disorder diagnosis, you may have some success getting your claims paid by your insurer. Check with your insurer carrier in advance before assuming you have coverage just because you’ve been diagnosed with another disorder such as depression, Bipolar Disorder, substance abuse, an eating disorder, or an anxiety disorder.
Get Educated on Your Insurance Coverage
If your insurance does, in fact, cover Borderline Personality Disorder therapy or a BPD treatment center, you would be well advised to keep on top of your insurer and become educated on the exact extent of the coverage they are willing to provide. Insurers often limit the number of sessions allowed for certain therapies or may refuse to cover particular treatment modalities, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), regardless of their effectiveness or proven validity.
Although dealing with insurers can be a daunting task, it is a necessary one if you are to seek proper treatment for your Borderline Personality Disorder by a qualified therapist or BPD treatment center. By educating yourself on what types of therapies and treatment centers are available and how your insurance coverage assesses claims and determines benefits, you will be in a better position to get the care you need.
