3 answers
1
Question
Asked
1581 views
Why do many insurance companies lack coverage for Music Therapy although the practice has been proven effective for multiple cases in various situations?
I am Laila , a Boston resident and graduating senior at Lexington High School through the METCO integration program. I have recently been accepted to Howard University for the Music Therapy program.
Login to comment
3 answers
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Laila:
This is a fantastic question. As others have mentioned above, newer treatment methods or ones that are consider more "esoteric" often take longer to be approved by insurance companies, or integrated into the benefits packages offered by companies.
Some companies are increasingly offering "flexible wellness" benefits with a small budget to support different types of individually-selected wellness - such as fitness club memberships, home workout equipment, athletic league memberships - and those can be leveraged for things like Music Therapy.
Consider finding approaches that are covered which would then integrate music therapy. For instance, as more insurance programs begin to cover things like psychedelic medication therapy, often there is a music component.
Finally, consider joining - or forming! - an employee resource group around this type of wellness. You can both support each other in finding resources and helping defray your personal costs, and then build an advocacy plan inside the company to encourage leaders to add those benefits.
Best wishes!
Start or join an employee resource group for wellness such as music therapy
Research "flexible wellness" benefits at your company
Look for benefit offerings that can also include music therapy
This is a fantastic question. As others have mentioned above, newer treatment methods or ones that are consider more "esoteric" often take longer to be approved by insurance companies, or integrated into the benefits packages offered by companies.
Some companies are increasingly offering "flexible wellness" benefits with a small budget to support different types of individually-selected wellness - such as fitness club memberships, home workout equipment, athletic league memberships - and those can be leveraged for things like Music Therapy.
Consider finding approaches that are covered which would then integrate music therapy. For instance, as more insurance programs begin to cover things like psychedelic medication therapy, often there is a music component.
Finally, consider joining - or forming! - an employee resource group around this type of wellness. You can both support each other in finding resources and helping defray your personal costs, and then build an advocacy plan inside the company to encourage leaders to add those benefits.
Best wishes!
Jim recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Hi Lalia, that's a great question. Congratulations on getting into Howard; it's a fantastic school with an excellent reputation.
The reason might be that there's not enough clinical research yet to understand the cost versus benefits. Insurance companies are businesses that need to make a profit for their shareholders. They want to cover benefits that save them money. For example, they cover statins to help reduce the risk of heart attacks because the cost of the pills over time is less than treating a heart attack.
You could get involved in music therapy research to show how effective it is. This could help convince insurance companies to cover it. Don't wait for graduate school—get involved in research through work-study or volunteer in Howard's music therapy programs.
Ask the Music Therapy Department who is doing research and if they need help. Let them know how excited and eager you are to join.
Stay curious about everything.
Best of luck to you!
Chris
The reason might be that there's not enough clinical research yet to understand the cost versus benefits. Insurance companies are businesses that need to make a profit for their shareholders. They want to cover benefits that save them money. For example, they cover statins to help reduce the risk of heart attacks because the cost of the pills over time is less than treating a heart attack.
You could get involved in music therapy research to show how effective it is. This could help convince insurance companies to cover it. Don't wait for graduate school—get involved in research through work-study or volunteer in Howard's music therapy programs.
Ask the Music Therapy Department who is doing research and if they need help. Let them know how excited and eager you are to join.
Stay curious about everything.
Best of luck to you!
Chris
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1205
Answers
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
That’s such a thoughtful question, Laila, and congratulations on your acceptance to Howard’s Music Therapy program! You're entering a field that is both powerful and much-needed, which is an incredible accomplishment.
Even though music therapy has been proven to be beneficial in a variety of circumstances, many insurance companies do not completely cover it. This is often due to the way healthcare systems categorize and pay for therapies. Treatments that fit into normal medical frameworks, such as drugs, operations, or therapies with established billing codes and widespread clinical use, are often given priority by insurance companies.
Despite being evidence-based, music therapy is still often seen as a "complementary" or "alternative" therapy, which can make it more difficult to get coverage unless it's a component of a larger treatment plan in hospice care, hospitals, or rehabilitation facilities.
Another important consideration is that not all states have issued music therapy licenses yet, therefore it is more difficult to obtain uniform reimbursement in the absence of a standardized national credentialing system linked to insurance billing. Professional groups like the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) are working to change that by advocating for state recognition and inclusion in insurance policies, but fortunately, advocacy is increasing.
In this area, your voice will be highly important. Being a Howard student and a graduate of a community-based program like METCO, you are in a unique position to promote fair access to therapeutic and mental health services. Students like you are the future generation of changemakers who will help demonstrate the benefits of music therapy and advocate for its inclusion in regular treatment as it gains popularity.
The field needs your passion and knowledge, so keep asking these important questions.
Best wishes1
Even though music therapy has been proven to be beneficial in a variety of circumstances, many insurance companies do not completely cover it. This is often due to the way healthcare systems categorize and pay for therapies. Treatments that fit into normal medical frameworks, such as drugs, operations, or therapies with established billing codes and widespread clinical use, are often given priority by insurance companies.
Despite being evidence-based, music therapy is still often seen as a "complementary" or "alternative" therapy, which can make it more difficult to get coverage unless it's a component of a larger treatment plan in hospice care, hospitals, or rehabilitation facilities.
Another important consideration is that not all states have issued music therapy licenses yet, therefore it is more difficult to obtain uniform reimbursement in the absence of a standardized national credentialing system linked to insurance billing. Professional groups like the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) are working to change that by advocating for state recognition and inclusion in insurance policies, but fortunately, advocacy is increasing.
In this area, your voice will be highly important. Being a Howard student and a graduate of a community-based program like METCO, you are in a unique position to promote fair access to therapeutic and mental health services. Students like you are the future generation of changemakers who will help demonstrate the benefits of music therapy and advocate for its inclusion in regular treatment as it gains popularity.
The field needs your passion and knowledge, so keep asking these important questions.
Best wishes1