Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEmployer-Sponsored PlansMarketplace PlansCHIPMedicaidMedicareCovered ServicesChecking CoverageFinding a TherapistAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Employer-Sponsored Plans
Marketplace Plans
CHIP
Medicaid
Medicare
Covered Services
Checking Coverage
Finding a Therapist
Alternatives
Therapy is an effective treatment for mental illness, but research shows that a lack of insurance is often a significant barrier to getting this care.
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires health insurance companies to provide coverage for mental health and substance abuse services.However, coverage varies and not all therapists accept insurance. That means your costs will depend on your specific plan and the healthcare provider you choose.
Pornpak Khunatorn / Getty Images
Employer-Sponsored Insurance Plans
If you have insurance through an employer, you likely have mental health services like therapy offered under your health coverage. Help may also be available through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if your employer provides it. An EAP offers services such as individual assessments, short-term counseling, and referrals to other treatment providers.
Health Insurance Marketplace Plans
The Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace provides access to many healthcare plans from different insurance carriers. These plans are required to cover mental health services such as therapy and keep costs comparable to other medical services.However, your specific behavioral health benefits depend on your state and individual plan.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Medicare is a federally funded healthcare program for people over age 65 and some younger people with certain disabilities and conditions. It has several different parts that contribute to the cost of some mental health services.Parts B and C may help pay for outpatient office visits, such as individual and group therapy.
Mental Health Services
How to Check Coverage
There are a few steps you can take to find out if your insurance plan covers therapy:
Questions to AskWhen you reach out to a health insurance company about coverage, ask:What mental health and/or behavioral health services are provided under my plan?How many sessions are covered for each type of service?Can you provide me with a list of in-network providers?What is my copay?What is my out-of-pocket cost?What will be covered after I reach my deductible?What happens if I want to see a therapist who is out of network?
Questions to Ask
When you reach out to a health insurance company about coverage, ask:What mental health and/or behavioral health services are provided under my plan?How many sessions are covered for each type of service?Can you provide me with a list of in-network providers?What is my copay?What is my out-of-pocket cost?What will be covered after I reach my deductible?What happens if I want to see a therapist who is out of network?
When you reach out to a health insurance company about coverage, ask:
How Much You’ll Pay
In-person therapy can cost between $100 and more than $200 per session, depending on the type of provider and their location. If the provider you choose does not accept insurance, you will need to pay the full cost. With health insurance, the amount you pay will vary depending on your co-pay, deductible, and the provider you choose.
Most insurance companies have in-network therapists. This means the healthcare provider is contracted to accept a set rate for their services. You’ll likely have to pay a copay (a specific amount due to the provider) toward sessions and your carrier will cover the rest.
Some insurance companies require you to use in-network healthcare providers. Others will pay a percentage of the cost for services from an out-of-network provider after you meet a deductible (amount of health care services you pay for before insurance starts paying.)
How to Choose a Therapist
Cost is just one factor to consider when choosing a mental health provider. Here are other elements you may want to consider:
Therapy Alternatives
A licensed therapist is just one option for mental health support. Other people and programs to consider:
Summary
Most insurers offer some level of mental health coverage, but it can be challenging to navigate your benefits. What’s more, not every therapist accepts insurance.
To determine if your insurance covers therapy, and what your costs will be, contact your insurance provider. If you can’t afford a licensed therapist, consider another option such as an online service, counselor, community program, or member of the clergy.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Munder T, Flückiger C, Leichsenring F, et al.Is psychotherapy effective? A re-analysis of treatments for depression.Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2019;28(03):268-274. doi:10.1017/S2045796018000355Walker ER, Cummings JR, Hockenberry JM, Druss BG.Insurance status, use of mental health services, and unmet need for mental health care in the United States.Psychiatr Serv. 2015;66(6):578-584. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201400248Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.The mental health parity and addiction equity act.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Provide Support.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Mental health & substance abuse coverage.HealthCare.gov.Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).HealthCare.gov.Medicaid.Department of Health and Human Services.What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?National Council on Aging.How Much Does Therapy Cost?HealthInsurance.org.In Network.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Munder T, Flückiger C, Leichsenring F, et al.Is psychotherapy effective? A re-analysis of treatments for depression.Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2019;28(03):268-274. doi:10.1017/S2045796018000355Walker ER, Cummings JR, Hockenberry JM, Druss BG.Insurance status, use of mental health services, and unmet need for mental health care in the United States.Psychiatr Serv. 2015;66(6):578-584. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201400248Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.The mental health parity and addiction equity act.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Provide Support.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Mental health & substance abuse coverage.HealthCare.gov.Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).HealthCare.gov.Medicaid.Department of Health and Human Services.What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?National Council on Aging.How Much Does Therapy Cost?HealthInsurance.org.In Network.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Munder T, Flückiger C, Leichsenring F, et al.Is psychotherapy effective? A re-analysis of treatments for depression.Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2019;28(03):268-274. doi:10.1017/S2045796018000355Walker ER, Cummings JR, Hockenberry JM, Druss BG.Insurance status, use of mental health services, and unmet need for mental health care in the United States.Psychiatr Serv. 2015;66(6):578-584. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201400248Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.The mental health parity and addiction equity act.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Provide Support.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Mental health & substance abuse coverage.HealthCare.gov.Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).HealthCare.gov.Medicaid.Department of Health and Human Services.What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?National Council on Aging.How Much Does Therapy Cost?HealthInsurance.org.In Network.
Munder T, Flückiger C, Leichsenring F, et al.Is psychotherapy effective? A re-analysis of treatments for depression.Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2019;28(03):268-274. doi:10.1017/S2045796018000355
Walker ER, Cummings JR, Hockenberry JM, Druss BG.Insurance status, use of mental health services, and unmet need for mental health care in the United States.Psychiatr Serv. 2015;66(6):578-584. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201400248
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.The mental health parity and addiction equity act.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Provide Support.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Mental health & substance abuse coverage.
HealthCare.gov.Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
HealthCare.gov.Medicaid.
Department of Health and Human Services.What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?
National Council on Aging.How Much Does Therapy Cost?
HealthInsurance.org.In Network.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
