How do I find a therapist who accepts my insurance?
Asked by: Aliya Heller | Last update: October 19, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (36 votes)
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 much does it cost to see a therapist with 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.
How do I find therapists in my insurance network?
Most insurers have directories that provide a list of mental health professionals who are covered by your plan. It can be helpful to reach out to your insurance company to have a representative talk you through the directory and your options for in-network therapists.
What is a copay for a therapist?
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.
Why It’s So Hard to Find a Therapist Who Takes Insurance
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.
Why is it so hard to find a therapist who takes insurance?
Many therapists choose not to take health insurance – aka be in-network with health insurances – due to low reimbursement rates from health insurance companies, logistical issues, and privacy concerns.
How do most people find therapists?
Primary care doctors and other health care providers, as well as family and friends may be able to recommend providers, says Bufka. If you have a sense of what issues or diagnoses you want to address, you can hone your search by researching what type or modality of therapy might be most useful.
Will insurance pay for therapy without a diagnosis?
If you use your insurance for therapy, you will have to be diagnosed. Insurance companies only pay for services that are deemed “medically necessary.” In therapy, medical necessity is established by diagnosing a client.
How do therapists get paid by insurance?
In simple words, a covered patient comes to see you for therapy services: you provide care services, prepare a bill, and submit an insurance claim for therapists to their health insurer, and the insurer reimburses you.
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.
How much does a mental hospital cost with insurance?
With health insurance coverage, the cost of inpatient mental health psychiatric services typically involves paying a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. On average, you might pay between $100 and $500 per day, depending on your insurance plan and the specific services provided.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover mental health?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the largest health insurance companies in the U.S., providing coverage for one in three Americans -- including mental health, behavioral health, and therapy services.
Can I go to a mental hospital without insurance?
Each state has public psychiatric hospitals that provide acute (short-term) and long-term care to people without means to pay, those requiring long-term care, and forensic patients.
What is a 5150 psychiatric hold?
5150 is the number of the section of the Welfare and Institutions Code, which allows an adult who is experiencing a mental health crisis to be involuntarily detained for a 72- hour psychiatric hospitalization when evaluated to be a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled.
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.
What is the hardest mental illness to live with?
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
Is anxiety covered by insurance?
Health insurance for mental health provides coverage for mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, etc. It covers persons with mental illness for the treatment of mental or psychological disorders, making medical insurance more inclusive for them.
Is therapy free if you have insurance?
Does health insurance cover the cost of therapy? The short answer is: it depends. Most plans in the United States cover mental health similarly to how they cover other medical costs, meaning that sessions could be billed with a co-pay or go toward your deductible.
Is 20 therapy sessions enough?
According to the APA: On average, 15 to 20 sessions are enough for 50% of patients to self-report that they have recovered from symptoms. Many psychological treatments that last a moderate duration, like weekly sessions for 12 to 16 weeks, result in significant clinical improvements.
Do you pay before or after therapy?
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. When should I ask about insurance coverage?
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.
How do you bill for therapy?
The Three Most Often Used Mental Health CPT Codes
They are: 90791 – Intake session — to be billed for your first appointment with that patient exclusively. 90834 – 45-55 Minute Individual Therapy Session. 90837 – 56+ Minute Individual Therapy Session.