Fire Up the Copier

Families look for money from a variety of sources. In the process of doing so you will need documentation. Here are the documents you will need to gather.

Health Insurance

Get a copy of your health insurance policy. Not the brochure you got from Human Resources, but the big document. If you can’t find it, ask your HR Department or call your insurer.

Call your insurer and ask them to explain your child’s mental health benefits. Get complete instructions on procedures, etc.

Take notes. Always get the name of the person you are speaking with, and record the date and time of the call. Ask them to send you the information they gave you in writing.

Medical Records

If you do not have your child's complete medical records, now is the time to assemble them. 

Write any doctor, hospital, clinic, nurse or therapist that has treated your child. Use this sample letter to request copies of their records.

Psychiatric History

Most teens who enter treatment have been under the care of a therapist for behavioral problems. You should contact every professional and ask for a letter documenting when the child was under his or her care, for how long, what for what presenting problems.

To the extent possible you should try to document drug use, self-harm, emotional disturbance, etc. It should also include any school counseling records, juvenile justice records, intervention history, disciplinary actions, etc. 

IRS Returns

Make copies of tax returns for the past two years.

Credit report

If you need to borrow money, the lender will check your credit report. You should know what’s on it, in case there are any questions.

There are three large credit-reporting companies: Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. Under federal law, you are entitled to a free credit report each year from www.annualcreditreport.com.

But first – read this consumer warning from the Federal Trade Commission.

MIB Report

Get a copy of your MIB report. MIB is the Medical Information Board. It is a consortium of insurers that share information. They use this information to determine coverages, previous conditions, etc., when making decisions about your health coverage.

You can request a copy of their records so that: 1) you know what information they are basing their decisions, 2) so you can correct any errors.

Next: Paying for Treatment

What do you think? Are there other documents you had to assemble for your child's care? If so, let us know in the Comments section below. Or join the discussion on the Community Forum.