Is there a significant downside to seeking insurance coverage for mental health therapy for teen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would take the insurance coverage, but I would watch the statements from both the provider and the insurance company carefully to make sure the records are accurate.

I have some experience with a few areas this might come up (clearance, FAA medical). The questions are usually something like "have you ever been diagnosed with or sought treatment for...". So if you're answering them honestly, the answer is yes whether it's "on the record" or not ... and hiding it is NOT recommended. For the most part, it's fine if you answer honestly and it's not a prohibited condition (and if it is a prohibited condition, again, you shouldn't be doing that job anyway). Where people get into trouble is when they sought treatment for, say, situational anxiety, but it somehow got coded as a generalized anxiety disorder, which can be moreof an issue. Then it becomes an uphill battle to prove that you didn't actually have what the record says you had. So check the records carefully and get your provider to correct them immediately if you see anything that could be problematic.

Is situational anxiety a diagnostic code? I feel like Generalized Anxiety gets used to often as a catchall. Is it really a red flag for employment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since when can future employers pull private health records? I don't even think current employers can. A lot of parents can't even access their teen's records.

That’s what her friend seems to think. Either she thinks every kid will be working for the government or every future employers will have access to their records. I don’t understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since when can future employers pull private health records? I don't even think current employers can. A lot of parents can't even access their teen's records.

That’s what her friend seems to think. Either she thinks every kid will be working for the government or every future employers will have access to their records. I don’t understand.

What about HIPAA? These posts are bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who meets my kid knows they have generalized anxiety. I’m not worried about it being on their medical record, and their wonderful therapist thank goodness accepts insurance!

[Anonymous]

it may limit her future ability to get disability or life insurance. but that is likely true if you use insurance or not.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s a hangover from the pre-ACA, preexisting condition days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since when can future employers pull private health records? I don't even think current employers can. A lot of parents can't even access their teen's records.

Not a regular employee, but there are some that would care: military officer, CIA, astronaut, probably others. Chances are OP’s daughter isn’t going to be in one of the few professions where it might matter and where she has to divulge that info/or it may be accessed.

So I agree with the PP that said leave no paper trail, if you can afford it and it sounds like this is for something pretty minor, but if you can’t afford to, I’d still go ahead giving child what you think they need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s a hangover from the pre-ACA, preexisting condition days.

So, in other words, soon to be an issue again when the Repubs succeed in dismantling ACA.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think therapy will affect much but I 100% regret the ADHD diagnosis in elementary and it is affecting DS now.

He hasn’t been on medication in years, only tried it for a short time, but has significant prejudice and roadblocks ahead of him as he is looking to apply to places and his future. He is angry at us for that and it’s not as easy as having a doctor have a medical exam to say all clear.

[Anonymous]

Wow! This is 2025! I can't believe people are so opposed to getting affordable treatment for an "illness."

I am a government employee; I can't tell you the number of times we are pushed towards getting help for any even temporary issues. My friends with top secret clearances also have sought help for anxiety and/or depression.

Gen Z is the anxiety generation. There won't be anyone to hire if they rule out teens/20-somethings who have had anxiety. These kids talk about therapy like we talked about periods--out in the open which our parents never did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s a hangover from the pre-ACA, preexisting condition days.

Which it looks like we are going back to, unfortunately.

I would talk to the therapist and see if they would be willing to code treatment for something innocuous but related.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think therapy will affect much but I 100% regret the ADHD diagnosis in elementary and it is affecting DS now.

He hasn’t been on medication in years, only tried it for a short time, but has significant prejudice and roadblocks ahead of him as he is looking to apply to places and his future. He is angry at us for that and it’s not as easy as having a doctor have a medical exam to say all clear.

What is he applying to that this would be an issue or even a known thing? So confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your friend has a point-

There are certain careers and clearances that could impact.

Not if you are honest and up front about it.

[Anonymous]

My child's EOB says "professional services" in one place and "general medical services" in another. There is no diagnostic code listed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think therapy will affect much but I 100% regret the ADHD diagnosis in elementary and it is affecting DS now.

He hasn’t been on medication in years, only tried it for a short time, but has significant prejudice and roadblocks ahead of him as he is looking to apply to places and his future. He is angry at us for that and it’s not as easy as having a doctor have a medical exam to say all clear.

Can you please explain to us how an ADHD diagnosis in elementary school is impacting your child's job search? Unless he is checking the OPTIONAL disability box when he applies to something, I can't see how a potential employer would know or care about this.

I have a staff member with ADHD and the only reason I know is because I complimented him on improved performance one day and he told me he had recently started medication that helps him focus.