Can insurance cover the cost of therapy?
Asked by: Wanda Wiza | Last update: June 9, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (14 votes)
Can I bill my insurance for therapy?
If you plan to use your insurance to cover your therapy costs, ask your provider what billing codes they use to code their sessions. Then, call your insurance's customer service number and ask if your plan covers those billing codes.
How do you know if a therapist is covered by insurance?
Check your description of plan benefits—it should include information on behavioral health services or coverage for mental health and substance-use disorders. If you still aren't sure, ask your human resources representative or contact your insurance company directly.
How do I find therapy for my insurance?
- Reach out to your insurance company. ...
- Check your plan's insurance information online. ...
- Reach out to your company's HR department. ...
- Ask a therapist if they accept your insurance.
How long does it take for insurance to pay a therapist?
In most cases, it will take at least 30 days from the date the insurer receives a claim to when your mental health practice will receive reimbursement. Some insurers move faster, with turnaround times of two to three weeks, but, as a rule, 30 days is what most practices can expect.
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What is the copay for therapy?
A copay is the set fee you pay at every medical session, including therapy. When you see a therapist who is in-network with your insurance plan, you pay them a copay at each therapy session. Then, your therapist sends a claim to the insurance company to receive the remainder of the fee they're owed.
Do you pay for therapy before or after?
Many therapists prefer to take care of payment up front, or to have clients pay for several sessions in advance; that way, both therapist and client avoid the awkward experience of having to discuss payment after a particularly difficult session.
How to not pay for therapy?
University Counseling Departments: Some universities offer free or low-cost therapy to people willing to see a student or therapy trainee. Community Counseling Centers: Community mental health centers, other public mental health agencies, and mental health non-profits nearly always offer sliding scale rates.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield reimburse for therapy?
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover therapy? Yes, the vast majority of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans cover therapy.
What if I need therapy but it is too expensive?
There are a number of ways to search for affordable therapy, each with its drawbacks: community mental health services for those who qualify, consulting your insurance company if you have one, using a digital platform that offers lower cost therapy or trying group therapy.
How are therapy sessions billed?
You'll want to use your typical 90837 CPT code. Then you'll also want to use the Add On CPT code 99354 which declares an additional 30 to 74 minutes of therapy. So any time you do 90 to 2 hours and 14 minutes of therapy, make sure to use the combination of CPT Codes 90837 and +99354.
What insurance has the best mental health coverage?
UnitedHealthcare takes our spot for the best overall mental health coverage primarily because of its comprehensive approach. With UnitedHealthcare, you have access to 24/7 treatment and support through a wide range of online, virtual and mobile tools.
Is it better to pay out-of-pocket for therapy?
Depending on the therapist's self-pay rate, it might be cheaper to pay out-of-pocket. For instance, if a therapist charges $100 per session and the insurance co-pay is $50, but the therapist offers a discounted self-pay rate of $70, the self-pay option would be cheaper.
How much is a therapist if you have insurance?
If you have insurance with mental health coverage, the cost of a therapy session with an in-network therapist is usually the same as your co-pay to see a medical specialist. On average, specialist co-pays are about $30 to $50 per session.
Does therapy go on your medical record?
These separate “process notes” are what we are calling “psychotherapy notes.” Summary information, such as the current state of the patient, symptoms, summary of the theme of the psychotherapy session, diagnoses, medications prescribed, side effects, and any other information necessary for treatment or payment, is ...
How to find a therapist covered by insurance?
You can access an online directory of insurance companies or see a list of all the providers in your network on your insurance's website. You can also call your insurance company to determine if a therapist is in-network. It's important to consider your needs before deciding who you want to work with.
Why is mental health not covered by insurance?
In addition to inadequate mental health provider networks, health insurance companies also sometimes use restrictive standards to limit coverage for mental health care. These standards often include criteria that plan members must meet in order to qualify for coverage or treatment.
Does it cost money to go to a mental hospital with insurance?
Mental health hospitalizations are typically covered by insurance including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans. With Medicare, you pay your Part A deductible (which is $1,632 in 2024) for the first 60 days in the hospital, then 20% of the cost for services provided by healthcare professionals while you're there.
Do you have to pay a copay for therapy?
Deductible: This is the amount you need to pay before your insurance starts paying. Think of it as the entry fee for your insurance to kick in. Copay: It's a fixed amount you pay for a therapy session or any medical service. If your copay is $30, that's what you'll pay each time you see your therapist.
Why are therapy sessions so expensive?
Therapists must maintain an office space, furnish it with essential equipment, and invest in technology for record-keeping and communication. These overhead costs, including rent, utilities, insurance, and administrative staff salaries, contribute to the overall price of counseling sessions.
Why is therapy 53 minutes?
Insurance companies encourage it
Insurance rarely pays for extended session time. So a therapist will be paid the same for a 53-minute session as a session that's longer than 60 minutes. Sticking to a 45- to 50-minute session is therefore often simpler for billing purposes.
What happens if you can't afford therapy?
Explore resources like NAMI HelpLine, school services, and Employee Assistance Programs. Prioritize mental health with self-care tips like staying active, building a healthy sleep routine, staying socially connected, and adding mindfulness to your life.
How do normal people afford therapy?
Check local mental health clinics
If you live in a metropolitan area, you likely have access to mental health clinics in your local area. Many of these clinics may accept Medicaid or other subsidized health insurance plans, or offer therapy on a sliding scale.