How to Navigate Off-Campus Treatment Providers
With or without insurance, the Saint Peter’s University Counseling Center (CAPS) is usually the most cost-effective healthcare option for enrolled students. Counseling services are provided free of charge, and can help most students with their mental health needs. CAPS is not a full- service mental health clinic, and some student find that frequent, long-term, or specialized services are more appropriate given their presenting problems and/or treatment goals. In these cases, CAPS staff will assist students in finding community referrals, but please note that CAPS does not endorse any specific community provider.
For more information on the services provided at CAPS call (201) 761- 6420 during regular business hours Monday through Friday 9-5.
Below are some important steps you can take to connect with a community provider.
Student Healthcare Options
- Remain on your parents’ insurance. The Affordable Care Act allows young adults to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26. This is true even if you no longer live at home or are no longer claimed on your parents’ taxes.
- Employer Healthcare Plan. If you’re employed, it’s worth checking to see if you qualify for coverage under your employer’s plan, and how much your costs will be.
- Medicaid provides health care coverage for people under a certain income level. Visit https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/clients/medicaid/ to see if you qualify, and
visit https://www.medicaidinnovation.org/_images/states/New_Jersey_Fact_Sheet_2020.pdf to learn what is covered under Medicaid plans. - If you are not eligible for Medicaid, explore New Jersey Family Care, and see if you qualify http://www.njfamilycare.org/default.aspx
- Purchase a plan on the Healthcare Marketplace. To explore state options for purchasing your own plan visit https://www.nj.gov/getcoverednj/ ,
https://www.state.nj.us/dobi/division_insurance/ihcseh/ihcmain.htm
Navigating Health Insurance
- Understand Insurances lingo before using your insurance https://blog.zencare.co/mental-health-insurance-guide/
- Call the member services phone number listed on the back of your card; have your insurance card out when you call.
- You can also access the insurance’s website listed on your card to search for in-network providers.
- Ask for information on “behavioral health benefits.”
- Ask the customer service representative for the following information
➢ Do I have coverage for out-patient mental health care in the state you currently reside?
➢ What is my deductible for out-patient mental health services?
➢ Ask if you need to meet the deductible before any benefits start.
➢ Do I have a copay, or coinsurance for out-patient mental health services?
➢ Ask if you need a referral. Some plans (HMOs) require that a primary care physician give you a referral before you can see a therapist or psychiatrist.
How to Find a Provider
- Ask your insurance representative to search for providers and email you the search results.
- Search for providers yourself through your insurance company’s website
- Psychology Today has a large, national database of mental health providers with several options to help you narrow down your search. You can search by insurance or sliding scale fees.
- 211 is the 3-digit number for information and referrals to local resources and social services.
- Behavioral Health Treatment Services has a provider search.
- Hudson County Resource Guide (page 3-6)
- Addictions resource clearinghouse
- Tele-Mental Health options
Tips: When searching for a therapist, look for a licensed professional; such as LCSW, LPC, Ph.D., Psy.D. If you are looking for medication, you need a psychiatrist or a nurse practitioner
(NP) who specializes in psychiatry for mental health medications.
For mental health emergencies, you can contact campus safety at (201)761-7400, call 911, or visit our UWill page or call (833) 646-1526 for 24/7 help.