Navigating mental health care can be challenging, especially when the high costs of therapy presents a significant barrier for families and individuals. Touchstone Foundation’s Mental Health Access Assistance Program was designed with a simple but powerful goal: to remove these financial hurdles for families and individuals with commercial insurance who often face high deductibles and co-pays. By supporting those needing mental health services in Lancaster County, the program ensures that counseling and therapy remain accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances.

Shanece Bowman, Programs Manager at Touchstone Foundation, explains that the program serves children, young adults, and families with dependents aged zero to 25. “It’s really designed to reduce the financial barriers of going to counseling or therapy,” she says. “If you’re commercially insured, you likely have a high deductible or co-pay at each visit, and this program helps cover those costs.”

The Mental Health Access Assistance Program is geared toward children and young adults, but parents and guardians can also qualify if they reside in their home with a dependent within that age range. For many, the program is a lifeline that allows them to seek therapy consistently or even begin treatment when they might otherwise avoid it due to cost.

Key Requirements to Remember

When it comes to qualifying for the Mental Health Access Assistance Program, there are two crucial criteria to keep in mind. First, participants must be commercially insured. Those insured through Medicaid, for example, wouldn’t qualify because Medicaid already covers the cost of therapy or counseling services, making co-pays unnecessary. “If you’re insured by Medicaid, your counseling and therapy should be free,” Shanece points out.

The second key requirement is financial need. Participants are usually members of working families who, though not on assistance, must still work to make ends meet, watching every penny. “In this case, ‘financial need’ means that families fall within 250% of the federal poverty guidelines,” Shanece notes. “For a family of four, as of September 18, 2024, that income threshold is $78,000 annually. If you’re a family of four with a household income at or below that level with commercial insurance, you qualify. That income number goes up when there are more than four people in the home.”

Simple Registration

The team at Touchstone Foundation has worked to make income verification straightforward, requiring a recent pay stub or tax returns to confirm eligibility. “We want to make this program easy to opt into,” Shanece emphasizes. “If anyone is having issues or needs to talk about the process, I encourage them to call Touchstone Foundation and talk to me. That’s what I’m here for.”

This Program Changes Lives

The Mental Health Access Assistance Program has a profound impact on families, often making the difference between attending therapy regularly or not seeking services at all. Shanece reflects on how the program has enabled countless individuals and families to maintain consistent therapy visits. “We hear from people who say that without this program, they wouldn’t be able to see their therapist as often,” she says. “Some families tell us they wouldn’t go to therapy at all without the financial support.”

While the specifics of case stories remain confidential, Shanece mentions that whole families have benefited from the program. “Many Lancaster County parents don’t realize that they too can apply for assistance, even if their child isn’t currently in therapy,” she emphasizes. “What stands out to me is that it doesn’t have to be just the child receiving services. Parents and guardians qualify as well. This flexibility has allowed families to support not only their children’s mental health but their own as well, creating a more comprehensive approach to care.”

Overcoming Stigma and the Perception of Therapy as a “Luxury”

For many, mental health services are seen as an expensive luxury, something that only the wealthy can afford. The Mental Health Access Assistance Program challenges this misconception by alleviating the high costs of therapy.

“This is a great program because it eliminates the stigma that therapy is a luxury,” Shanece continues. “Being commercially insured doesn’t necessarily mean you can afford therapy, especially with high out-of-pocket costs. This program alleviates that financial burden.”

By making therapy accessible to more people, the program helps to normalize mental health care. For many families, therapy is a necessity, not a luxury, and shouldn’t be something families sacrifice when money is tight.

Why Aren’t More People Enrolling?

Despite the program’s many benefits, enrollment remains lower than expected. Shanece believes one of the main reasons is skepticism. “When people learn about the program, it almost seems too good to be true,” she says. “This kind of skepticism can cause people to hesitate, thinking there must be a catch. But you don’t have to pay anything for this program, and the application process is free. There’s no invoicing or billing that participants have to worry about. There is no catch.”

Additionally, the term “financial need” may deter potential applicants. Shanece adds that the program is designed specifically for those who fall in the middle—families who aren’t at the poverty level but still face significant financial stress. “A lot of people think, ‘Here’s another program that’s going to disqualify me because I make just enough,’” she says. “But it’s for people who are in that in-between space—they don’t qualify for public assistance. They have insurance. But they’re not wealthy either and they need help covering these kinds of costs.”

Spreading the Word and Increasing Enrollment

As Shanece and her team at Touchstone Foundation continue their work, they aim to increase awareness about the Mental Health Access Assistance Program and encourage more families in Lancaster County to apply.

By removing financial barriers, Touchstone Foundation hopes to help more people realize that therapy is within their reach and that mental health care is not something to be put on hold due to cost.

For families in the community, this program is a reminder that help is available and therapy doesn’t have to be an unattainable luxury. Through the Mental Health Access Assistance Program, Touchstone Foundation breaks down stigmas, supports mental health, and empowers families to get the care they deserve.

If you or someone you know wonders if they may qualify for assistance with mental health co-pays, apply today. It’s quick and easy, and it makes mental health more affordable.