Cost is the reason many people put off mental health care. In Bexar County, it does not have to be. The Center for Health Care Services is Bexar County’s mental health authority and a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. No one is denied access to services because they cannot pay, and a sliding fee schedule is available based on family size and income.
What “free or low-cost” actually means here
There are three things worth understanding before you call.
- We accept many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. If you are insured, your plan may cover most of your care.
- There is a sliding fee scale. If you qualify, your monthly fee is set based on your income and family size — not a fixed price list.
- You will never be refused services because you cannot pay. That is a commitment, not a promotion.
Payment of your estimated portion — deductibles, copays, and any predetermined fees — is expected at the time services are provided. If you qualify for financial assistance, that portion may be very small.
How your fee is determined
Financial assistance is based on income and family size. To determine your monthly fee, you complete a Financial Assessment at check-in and bring three things: proof of insurance, proof of residency, and proof of family income. Residency and income documents must be dated within the past 60 days.
If you are not sure whether you qualify, the answer is to call and ask rather than assume you do not.
Not sure where to start? The first call takes a short screening — nothing more.
What services are covered
Public funding does not mean a narrow menu. Adult behavioral health care at The Center includes psychiatric evaluation and treatment, medication follow-up and management, individual and group therapy, wellness counseling and education, psychosocial rehabilitation, case management, integrated primary care, and crisis services.
There are also specialized pathways: peer support for veterans through the Military Veteran Peer Network, the Complex Care program for people who have been cycling through emergency rooms and inpatient units, and support for people whose treatment is court-ordered.
Where care happens
Care is delivered across clinics throughout Bexar County rather than at a single campus, so you can usually be seen reasonably close to home. When you enroll, your clinician helps establish care at the clinic that fits your needs and location.
How to start
Call 210-261-2427. You will complete a short screening so the team understands how you are doing and whether anything needs attention immediately. If you are eligible, the next step is a comprehensive assessment — plan for up to three hours — and then establishing care. If you are not eligible, you will be connected with an appropriate referral in the community rather than left without a next step.
Translation services are available on request.