Five questions to help physicians, residents, and clinicians find mental health support that fits their lives.
You may know which health plan you chose last year. But do you know who you’d call if you wanted to talk with a therapist or what an appointment would cost?
Open enrollment is a good time to find out.
Whether you’re navigating residency, managing a demanding patient load, or trying to be more present at home, mental health support deserves a place on your benefits checklist. You don’t have to wait until things feel unmanageable to use it.
As you review your options for 2027, here are five questions worth asking, and how Marvin could fit into your care.
1. What will I actually pay?
Look beyond whether a plan lists “mental health coverage.” Check whether your preferred provider is in network, what each visit will cost, and whether you need to meet a deductible first.
If your organization offers Marvin, check your specific plan’s coverage before booking. Marvin works with most major health plans and shares information about your benefits before your first session. Sessions are typically in-network and average ~$15/session.
Your next step: Ask, “Under my 2027 plan, what would I owe for a therapy appointment with Marvin?”
2. Will appointments work around my schedule?
A benefit is more useful when you can realistically use it. Consider when you could attend an appointment, whether you’d need to travel, and where you could find a private place to talk.
Marvin offers virtual sessions with evening and weekend availability, giving you options around clinical responsibilities and life outside work.
Your next step: Identify one or two windows in your week that could work for an appointment, then check availability.
3. Will my therapist understand healthcare work?
You may want to talk about a difficult patient outcome, the demands of training, or a relationship that has nothing to do with your job. Either way, a therapist’s experience and approach matter.
Marvin’s providers specialize in supporting healthcare professionals. Matching considers your goals, availability, and preferences, so you can look for someone who understands your work while making room for everything else in your life.
Your next step: Write down what matters to you in a therapist, such as experience supporting residents, a particular background, or help with a specific concern.
4. How is my privacy protected?
Understanding confidentiality can make it easier to take the first step. Look for a clear explanation of how a service protects your information, handles insurance billing, and describes the limits of confidentiality.
Marvin provides HIPAA-compliant care and explains how health information may be used and disclosed in its privacy notice.
Your next step: If privacy is a concern, consider booking a session with a Marvin counselor to keep your informations separate and private from your employer.
5. Do I know how to get started?
You don’t need to be in crisis (or even have a perfectly defined goal) to explore support. Everyday anxiety, low mood, relationship challenges, major transitions, and work stress are all reasons to consider talking with someone.
Before you close your benefits tab, find your organization’s mental health resources, check who is eligible, and save the sign-up link somewhere you can find it later. Some organizations that offer Marvin also provide dependent care for those ages 18+, so check for that information, too.
Your next step: Confirm whether Marvin is available through your organization and whether any benefit elections affect your access or cost for 2027.
Take one step for yourself this enrollment season
You’re already reviewing how you’ll care for your health next year. Include support for the parts of life that don’t fit neatly into a benefits comparison chart.
If your organization offers Marvin, learn what’s available and how to connect with a therapist when you’re ready.
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