How to find a therapist that your insurance covers?
Asked by: Prof. Janae Predovic | Last update: February 4, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (29 votes)
How do I find a therapist through my insurance?
Generally you go to your insurance company's website, find the ``find a doctor'' feature that should be there somewhere, select the type of doctor you want, and go from there. It should give you a list of therapists, or psychiatrists, or podiatrists, etc in your area.
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.
Are therapies covered by 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.
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 to Find a Therapist Covered by Insurance and In-Network
How do I check if my insurance covers something?
If you have any questions about what your plan covers, contact your insurance company. Member Services representatives are there to answer exactly these types of questions. They can tell you whether a doctor, prescription or service is covered, plus how much your insurance will pay.
Can I get free therapy?
Community centers, hospitals, schools, and places of worship sometimes offer free or low-cost counseling. Many community organizations also host peer-support groups (groups run by people facing the same issues) and recovery groups which can provide additional care.
How often should you go to therapy?
Weekly Sessions
A weekly session is a great place to start when beginning therapy. Generally, most patients will start with this frequency, then increase or decrease as needed. A weekly session is ideal for people who want to build skills related to things like mindfulness, coping, and communication.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover online therapy?
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover online therapy? Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield covers online therapy, including Charlie Health's virtual IOP and other treatment programs. Fill out our quick online form to learn more about your specific plan's coverage and benefits.
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.
Do online therapy sites take insurance?
Talkspace accepts insurance from many major insurance providers including Cigna, Optum, Carelon, Aetna, TRICARE, traditional Medicare, Regence, Anthem and more. We work with many health plans, employee assistance programs (EAP), and educational organizations to make online therapy available and affordable for all.
What is the 2 year rule for therapists?
The APA Code, Standard 10.08(a), states: "Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy.” This is the first part of the 2-year rule.
Is therapy 2 times a week too much?
Ultimately, therapy should be tailored to each client's unique circumstances and requirements. While weekly sessions remain the conventional approach, some types of treatment now recommend more frequent sessions. for example, many evidence-based PTSD treatments recommend at least twice per week sessions.
How much does BetterHelp cost?
BetterHelp subscriptions range from $65 to $100 per week (billed every four weeks and based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply), so the monthly costs can be between $260 and $400.
What if I can't afford therapy?
Ask about a sliding scale payment option if you can't afford therapy. Many therapists offer a sliding scale payment fee structure for clients. This means that your fee for a therapy session is based on your income. Therapists may state that they offer a sliding scale on their public profiles or websites.
Is therapy free with insurance?
Large companies aren't required to cover the ACA essential health benefits. This means mental health benefits and therapy might not be included in your plan. However, most large companies still offer mental health benefits, so chances are you'll have coverage for therapy even though it's not required.
Do I need counseling or therapy?
Therapists are generally intended for ongoing care when time is needed to overcome an emotional, behavioral, social, or relationship concern. Counselors may be the best option if you need short-term intervention to overcome a specific, immediate concern.
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?
The parity law does not require insurers to provide mental health benefits—rather, the law states that if mental health benefits are offered, they can't have more restrictive requirements than those that apply to physical health benefits.
What does insurance not cover?
Health insurance typically covers most doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, wellness care, and medical devices. Most health insurance will not cover elective or cosmetic procedures, beauty treatments, off-label drug use, or brand-new technologies.
Is it OK to go back to your old therapist?
If you had a positive relationship with your previous therapist, there are benefits to returning to them for care. First, they already know about your mental health history, patterns, and concerns so you won't have to review your previous therapy experience.
Do therapists do 2 hour sessions?
Can a therapy session be 2 hours? Yes, it's possible for therapy sessions to last this long. Individuals in intensive therapy programs, such as Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) or Substance Abuse Comprehensive Outpatient Treatment (SACOT) might meet with a therapist for longer periods.
Can a therapist date a patient's friend?
Ethical guidelines usually prohibit relationships between therapists and clients. Boundaries are essential to maintain the therapeutic relationship and its effectiveness. Post-therapy relationships are rare and generally discouraged to protect mental health.
Is BetterHelp covered by insurance?
Unfortunately, BetterHelp is not covered by any insurance provider. However, BetterHelp offers financial aid for which you can contact their customer success team. If you seek providers covered by your insurance, you can get the member line on the back of your insurance card.