Does Insurance Cover Therapy? Considerations For Affordable Mental Health Help
If you’re interested in going to therapy, one of the concerns you probably have is how you’re going to pay for it. Even if you have health insurance, you may still be confused. Does your health insurance cover mental healthcare? Is therapy covered by insurance? Many may think that the law requires insurance companies to provide mental healthcare, but that isn’t necessarily the case.
The cost of a therapist can vary greatly based on many things, such as the area you live in and the therapist’s area of expertise. If you’re looking for affordable mental health help, you may need to understand your insurance company and insurance coverage, and the best way to do so is often to contact your insurance provider directly. If you find you don’t have sufficient coverage for traditional in-office therapy, online therapy may be an affordable alternative.
Considerations when wondering whether insurance covers therapy
The answers to the questions, “Does health insurance cover therapy?” and “What exactly does my insurance cover?” may not be as simple as you might think. There can be many different types of health insurance coverage and different insurance plans available, which often means that some health insurance plans cover different things than others. Here are some things that you may need to know regarding insurance plans and mental health care.
What health insurance companies are required to offer
There have been some misunderstandings about how the Affordable Care Act impacted health insurance coverage. For instance, there is often a misconception that the law requires insurance or companies that deal with insurance to cover mental health care. However, that’s not entirely true. The ACA does not generally require insurance companies to offer comprehensive and extensive mental health care.
The ACA indeed made some notable changes for those that want coverage for mental wellness services. For example, this act states that health insurance companies can’t turn you down due to a mental health diagnosis, including substance use disorders. In addition, there may be some services you can take advantage of that are covered at no cost.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the company that manages your health insurance must offer coverage or that it’s mandatory for your insurance to pay for mental health services. The ACA typically only requires “parity.” This usually means that the coverage for mental health services needs to be equal to medical or surgical coverage. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are getting good coverage for mental wellness services. Many people right now are on plans that provide little coverage for any medical service. This can mean you do not receive much coverage for mental health or medical services in general.
To answer the question, “Does my health insurance cover what I need?” you may have to analyze your current policy or keep these questions in mind when looking for insurance. When choosing insurance, it can be important to verify the type of coverage you’ll be receiving. And, if you have any questions, please make sure to contact your health insurance provider to find out exactly what is covered and what’s not. You can easily find contact information for your carrier on your insurance card.
It can be crucial to be aware of what your health insurance covers and what it doesn’t. That way, you’re less likely to be surprised by any unexpected bills.
Here are some things you might watch out for:
Limited necessity
In general, it used to be more common for health insurance companies to limit the number of therapy sessions that would be covered under insurance. While this isn’t always the case anymore, other limitations often still apply. For example, you may have an insurance plan that limits coverage to be “medically necessary.”
The potential problem with this is that many people can benefit from mental wellness services without an official diagnosis. For example, if you wanted to get counseling for marital problems or anxiety that doesn’t meet the requirements set in the DSM, your health insurance may not be able to cover the services.
Limit on the dollar amount spent
Restricted options on who you can work with
Another way that coverage with your health insurance can be limited when it comes to mental wellness services is that you may only be allowed to work with certain mental health professionals. Your health insurance company may not work with the provider that you want to work with. This can mean that you will have to pay out of pocket for your sessions, or you may have to choose a different provider that your insurance will work with.
Why some therapists won’t accept insurance
You may run into a situation where you wonder, “Why doesn’t my therapist accept my insurance?” Sometimes, it may not be your health insurance company that is refusing to work with a mental health professional. There are many mental health workers, such as psychologists, that choose not to work with insurance companies. This is usually because the insurance companies refuse to compensate the professionals for what they consider a fair price.
Therefore, it’s often best to check with your therapist to see what types of plans with your health insurance they work with, if any. Depending on where you live, you may need to do some searching to find a therapist who will accept your insurance. Please contact your insurance provider with any specific questions or to understand what your options are.
Alternative options for therapy
If you don’t have coverage with health insurance or are interested in alternative therapy options, there may be several that you can choose from.
Things you can do at home
You may be able to do some things at home on your own to improve your mental health challenges, depending on what it is you’re facing. Some of the things below have proven beneficial for people with anxiety and depression and can also help treat other mental health disorders.
Self-Care – Practicing self-care can include eating right, exercising, meditating, getting sufficient rest, journaling, and more. Self-care can be nearly any activity that helps you take care of yourself in a healthy way. In general, everyone should focus on self-care each day, and if you have a mental health challenge, doing so often becomes even more important.
Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy with essential oils can help reduce anxiety and boost your mood. This can be a great alternative treatment to try in addition to other more traditional forms of treatment.
Pet Therapy – Some people find support from emotional support dogs improves their mental health, and others enjoy horse therapy. You might choose to spend time with a pet if you have one, or you might visit a local animal shelter.
Free or low-cost alternatives to therapy
If you’re looking for free alternatives to affordable mental wellness services, there may be some options that you can look into. For example, some churches provide free counseling services. While these services can be helpful, you may want to ask questions about the provider’s credentials. They may not have the same experience as a licensed mental health professional.
You can also try looking to see if there are any free clinics in your area. Many health centers offer free screenings or therapy for those that qualify for services.
There are also online forums that you may join. You can find one full of others working through the same challenges that you are. This can be helpful because it lets you know that you’re not alone. You may also receive tips and advice from others that know exactly what you’re going through because they have been through it too.
If you attend a university or are a student in school, you may have free counseling through your school. Schools often understand that students can face a wide array of challenges and usually provide free or very affordable counseling options.
A final option for affordable mental wellness services may be finding a therapist that offers a sliding scale fee. This typically means that the price you pay for your session will be dependent on how much money you make. If you don’t have much income, it’s likely you’ll be able to have a smaller session fee. This is something that many therapists do to make therapy sessions more affordable for everyone.
Online therapy
Another option for affordable mental wellness services may be online therapy. These sessions often have several benefits over traditional therapy sessions. They can be more affordable, for starters. But they can also be more convenient. You typically don’t have to take the time out of your day to travel to another location to talk with a therapist. You can connect with your therapist from anywhere that you have the internet or your phone.
Online therapy can also be a great option if you are worried about divulging personal details about your life, actions, and thoughts. Meeting virtually rather than face-to-face helps some people feel more comfortable opening up.
As this study explains, online therapy can be as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy for treating a wide variety of conditions and concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support if you feel you’d benefit from it.
Takeaway
Insurance may cover therapy in some situations, depending on your healthcare plan and its specifications. You may find that only a certain dollar amount of mental health care services is covered, or that only specific mental health professionals are covered by your provider. It is generally best to contact your insurance provider directly to learn about all the details of your mental health coverage. In the case that you don’t feel your provider offers enough coverage for you to get the help you deserve, you might consider online therapy instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my insurance covers therapy?
In general, the best way to find out in specific detail what services and providers are covered in your situation is to reach out to the insurance company you receive your coverage from. It can be wise to call your insurance company before making any final decisions about scheduling treatment sessions.
How can I get my insurance to pay for therapy?
If your insurance policy does not cover mental health services or the services you seek out, there may not be a way to make your insurance pay for them.
If your health insurance coverage doesn’t work for you, you may want to consider what options are available online or for reduced prices that may be more manageable out of pocket. Sometimes we are unable to switch insurance policies or health insurance. If your employer provides your insurance, it might not be realistic to expect that you can purchase a separate plan.
If you are shopping for insurance to cover mental health expenses, it may be helpful to determine what exactly you need your insurance to cover. You might look at insurance reviews from other customers to help you make your decision.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover therapy?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is an example of an insurance provider that often offers coverage for therapy and behavioral health services, although what is covered can vary depending on the specific insurance plan you have.
How much does a therapist cost without insurance?
You may assume that mental healthcare requires insurance. This isn’t necessarily the case, though insurance does often significantly reduce the cost.
Without insurance assistance, you should expect to pay the rate set by your therapist or practitioner per session out of pocket. The national average cost for the United States is about $90 per hour or session, but this rate can vary anywhere from $50 to over $300, depending on the therapist.
Where can I get a free therapist?
Established therapists or practitioners sometimes offer free or reduced-cost therapy options. Entirely free therapy may be hard to come by, especially if you’re looking to work with a licensed therapist. However, some options can still work for those looking to spend as little as possible.
Consider online therapy as an option – it may be easier to find and utilize affordable services for you. It’s also possible that there are free or low-cost options available to you in your local community.
How much is therapy out of pocket?
How much you pay out of pocket for therapy services usually depends on a couple of factors. If you are paying out of pocket entirely, or if your insurance plan doesn’t cover the services in question, the cost can vary. Therapists usually charge per session or hour, and the price can range anywhere from $50 to $300. Online therapy can be a more affordable option both with and without insurance.
What are therapists covered by my insurance?
If you’re unsure which services are covered or want to know more details about your specific insurance coverage in relation to mental health services, it can be helpful to reach out to or call your insurance provider for specific information.
Is therapy worth the money?
The value of therapy can extend to everyone, but it can be especially important for those living with mental illness. According to the American Psychological Association, signs you could benefit from therapy may include finding it difficult to concentrate on work, worrying excessively, and feeling an overwhelming and prolonged sense of hopelessness or sadness. The American Psychological Association stresses that psychotherapy can help people of all ages live happier, healthier, and more productive lives.
How much does therapy cost with insurance?
Your insurance health plan and benefits often depend on where you live, how old you are, and what type of mental health care you are looking for, among other factors. It can be best to contact your insurance provider directly to learn about the exact cost of therapy.
Is it bad to use insurance for therapy?
It is not a bad thing to use insurance to help cover the costs of mental health care.
The intention of insurance is generally to have reduced out-of-pocket costs for health care needs such as therapy or surgery. Secondly, mental health care can be incredibly important - mental health, behavioral health, and physical health are often crucial elements to an overall healthy lifestyle. A health treatment that focuses on mental health care, like therapy, can be essential to your well-being.
Is mental illness covered by health insurance?
The question of whether mental illness is covered in health plans can be tricky because it often depends on your particular insurance plan. Many health plans include mental health care (such as therapy, psychiatric care, etc.) as part of the health benefits package. However, some have a minimal budget allocated to cover mental health or include restrictive qualifications for received mental health and substance use disorder treatments.
For example, some health plans offer a limited selection of professionals that will be covered. Other times, there may be a dollar limit on mental health services covered.
It can be very informative to contact your insurance provider to learn more about your specific health plan. A better understanding of the health benefits provided by your health plan can empower you to make informed decisions about what sort of specific and tailored mental and behavioral health treatments are available to you.
How does insurance work for therapy?
Insurance for therapy usually works on the same principles that insurance for surgery or other similar medical expenses relies on.
In the broadest terms, you generally pay an insurance company a set amount for a health plan. This health plan then provides health benefits that usually include reduced costs for medical procedures. The idea is typically to limit the risk of how much money you may need to pay in a worst-case scenario.
Say you get in a car accident. Instead of paying $30,000 for your surgeries, you may only need to pay $3,000 because you’ve been paying into a health treatment plan.
Many health plans provide adequate coverage and reduce the cost of therapy. However, mental health care is not always included in the health benefits of all plans.
You may wish to take some time to contact your health insurance provider to learn more about what your plan covers as far as mental health treatment.
What do I do if I can’t afford therapy?
Unfortunately, many people find themselves in a situation where they can’t afford therapy or other mental health treatments. In these cases, there can be some options for free or reduced-cost therapies.
You can do things at home by yourself that could help improve your mental health, such as self-care, aromatherapy, mindfulness exercises, or pet therapy. However, these aren’t always perfect solutions. Talking to a licensed mental health professional is usually the preferred route for diagnosing and treating mental illness, even if you can’t commit to therapy.
Some professional therapies are free, so we encourage you to take some time to research services provided in your specific area. Often, churches, colleges, and schools provide some level of free mental health services. When in doubt, contacting your general healthcare provider for recommendations can be another great idea.
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