As an avid sports fan, I’ll always remember Michael Phelps as perhaps the greatest Olympian of our time, and maybe ever. His career spanned an incredible 4 Olympic games winning an unprecedented 28 medals, beginning at age 15, and finishing at the wise old age of 31.
But the story of his life was just beginning, as the fame and fortune of his decorated career hid an ugly story. For years, Phelps has suffered from mental illness, anxiety, and depression. If he became a hero in the pool, he only continued after his career finished — publicly discussing his battles with a topic most often hidden from view. In this ESPN.com article, he details his ongoing battles.
As a health insurance patient, what should YOU know about mental health?
Per ACA guidelines, mental health visits are required to be treated like any other illness. That is, they are often covered as a copay the exact same as visiting a regular doctor or specialist.
Most carriers offer virtual visits with a mental health professional, often at reduced or even NO cost.
Many companies will even offer employee assistance programs, which can be a great tool for helping with life complications (moving, burying a loved one, divorce, etc) — contact your HR department or benefits administrator to learn more.
Thank you to an Olympic hero for continuing to show courage.