Online Therapy That Takes Insurance

Therapy is a powerful tool that helps you work through and cope with challenges in life. Knowing what type of mental health services your insurance covers is essential for accessing the best therapist or psychiatrist without worrying about costs. Whether you are new to therapy and counseling or searching for new resources to support your mental health, call Online Psychiatrists now. Dr. Zlatin Ivanov works out options to ensure you get the highest quality mental health care you need to get back to live a healthy and happy life.

Most people delaying getting mental health support because they fear the cost of treatment. Therapy is not cheap, but you can search for what your insurance covers and work on your budget accordingly. You can check with your insurance company and explore strategies for finding the best mental health coverage.

Behavioral health therapy and support for substance abuse disorders are covered by most insurance plans, depending on your plan type. At times, counseling and therapy are not covered by provincial healthcare plans, but there are many options you can explore. You must make efforts to familiarize yourself with the terms of your health insurance plans to better understand what providers and services are available to you.

Can You See a Therapist on Insurance?

Yes. You can see a therapist or a mental health professional through your insurance, but there is more to it. It depends on what type of mental help you require and how much mental health coverage you have.

Mental health conditions covered by insurance usually include:

• Insufficient Sleep Syndrome
• Acute Stress
• Phobias
• Anxiety Disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Eating Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders

There are laws to protect people diagnosed with mental health conditions to ensure they get the health coverage and mental health support they need to regain their life and well-being.

Does Your Insurance Provider Cover Therapy?

Many jobs offer health insurance, but this may or may not include coverage for therapy. You will have to check the healthcare plan of your employer to determine what type of coverage you have through a company plan and if therapy is covered.

Even if therapy is covered by insurance, some people are reluctant to use it for mental healthcare and choose to pay out of pocket. It is because most insurance companies only pay for the medical services that they consider necessary. To prove you really need therapy, you will need an official diagnosis and it is something many people are not comfortable with. They don’t want their sensitive information on record.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

This act was established to reduce the cost of health insurance for anyone who wanted it. It offers tax credits and cost-sharing reductions to ensure even low-income families can afford insurance.

It also created a Health Insurance Marketplace and requires plans to cover certain essential health benefits. Plans purchased through Health Insurance Marketplace must include mental health, as well as substance use disorder services.

For mental health, Health Insurance Marketplace must offer:

• Mental and behavioral health inpatient services
• Behavioral health treatments, including counseling and psychotherapy treatment
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Parity protections that ensure coinsurance, co-pays, and deductibles are either the same or close to any medical and surgical benefits that are offered

The Mental Health Parity Act of 2008

It is a federal law that keeps group plans from offering different or less mental health benefits than they do medical or surgical benefits. The main objective of MHPAEA and the ACA was to develop a system that offers equal coverage for the treatment of both addiction and mental health conditions.

Before this act, a large population was without insurance. Even people with coverage did not get any mental health benefits, and some plans did not offer substance use benefits.

CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)

CHIP provides federal funding to states to help low-income households with low-cost health insurance for children.

While the actual coverage varies from state to state, most plans cover almost all mental health services, including:

• Therapy
• Counseling
• Medication management
• Peer support
• Social work services
• Substance use disorder treatments

Medicaid

Medicaid plans are regulated by the state, and required to cover anything considered an essential health benefit. It includes both substance use services and mental health services.

Medicaid plans also differ from state to state, but they are subject to MHPAEA requirements.

Medicare

Part A of Medicare covers substance use services and inpatient behavioral healthcare. Also, you may be responsible for deductible and coinsurance costs if you are hospitalized. When it comes to outpatient mental health services, Part B covers many services, including yearly depression screening. You may have to bear the cost of therapeutic services and any Part B deductible, co-pays, or coinsurance.

Part C or the Medicare Advantage typically covers therapeutic services at least at the level of your original Medicare plan or better.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Most Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plans will cover therapy thanks to Affordable Care Act. People who started their plans before 2014, when the ACA was enacted, may not be able to have their mental health services covered.

It is also important to note that Blue Cross Blue Shield only covers evidence-based services like psychoanalysis. Consultations with a life coach, career coach, etc., are not covered.

Kaiser Permanente

Each member of Kaiser Permanente gets a personalized mental health treatment plan with a nurse practitioner or psychiatrist. They offer individual counseling but also cover group therapy. It also offers stress management and mental health classes and addiction counseling as well.

Patient Experience

Do Both Individual and Employer Insurance Plans Cover Therapy?

Many people ask, “does insurance cover therapy?” The good news is that both individual plans and employer-sponsored health insurance often include mental health insurance benefits. Coverage varies depending on the plan, but in most cases, therapy sessions—whether in person or online—are eligible.

Some plans also provide access to an online psychiatrist that takes insurance, making it easier to address both emotional and medical aspects of care. Always review your plan details or speak with your provider to confirm your specific coverage.

Benefits of Online Therapy with Insurance

• Convenience. You don’t need to travel or sit in a waiting room. With online therapy covered by insurance, sessions happen right from your home.
• Comfort. Being in your own space makes it easier to talk openly. Many people feel less pressure and more at ease during video sessions.
• Affordability. Therapy covered by insurance means the cost is lower, and getting care becomes more affordable than most in-person visits.

How to Find Out if Your Insurance Covers Therapy

Here are a few simple steps to find out if your health insurance plan covers therapy:

Check Your Insurance Account Online

Most insurance plans are available online, and the websites contain information about coverage and related costs. Register your account online and make sure you are looking at your exact insurance plan.

Check out whether you should be looking for a therapist or a provider in your plan’s network or if there are additional charges if you go out of network. If you cannot find the therapist or specialist you are considering, you can call and ask them for the tax ID number they bill with. It can help your insurance provider find them in their system, and you can be absolutely sure you are reaching out to someone within the network.

Call Your Insurance Provider

If you need more information and cannot find it on the website, call the provider. Being a member, you can ask any specific question regarding the types of therapeutic coverage your plan offers. Also ask about the total cost as it will help you decide in case the therapist you want to see is not in your plan’s network.

You can also ask your therapist or doctor about the specific diagnostic code they use when they file your claim. By presenting this code to the insurance company before time, you can know how much of the services will be covered and how much you will owe them, just in case.

Ask Your Employer’s HR

If you are insured through your employer and need information, the Human Resources (HR) department can answer any questions regarding your coverage.

Ask the Therapist

It is best to check out with the therapist before starting treatment if they accept your insurance, even if they are listed on the insurance company’s website. It is because therapists and other providers can opt out of plans at any time, so it is better to check before setting up an appointment.

Finding a therapist takes time as you search according to your needs and preference. Doing your homework on payment rates and therapy session limits can make the search easy. It is crucial to find a licensed and board-certified therapist for reliable mental healthcare support.

What Types of Therapy Is Covered by Insurance?

Mental health services and treatments covered by insurance can vary depending on the insurance company and the plan. There are various costs associated with counseling and mental health services. Just checking if insurance covers therapy is not sufficient, and you must find out what type of mental health services and treatment you expect to be covered.

Some of the mental health treatments covered by insurance include:

• Co-occurring behavioral health and medical conditions such as dual diagnoses like coexisting depression and addiction
• Psychiatric emergency care
• Talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy
• Telemedicine or online therapy
• Outpatient therapy sessions
• Addiction treatment
• Detox services

It is best to check with your employer if you have company coverage, or with the insurance company before setting up any appointments. These days online therapy is also a great option for people who are either hesitant to seek mental health support or cannot make time for an in-person session. Online therapy offers more convenience and flexibility and is also covered by several mental healthcare providers, making it a feasible option.

How Much of the Cost of Therapy Will Insurance Cover?

The amount of therapy insurance coverage depends on your plan. Some policies cover most of the cost, while others require copays, deductibles, or session limits. It’s common for therapy that takes insurance to have partial coverage, meaning you’ll pay a portion of the session fee out of pocket.

If you’re looking for online therapy covered by insurance, check whether your plan includes telehealth benefits. Coverage may also differ depending on the type of therapy—for example, you may wonder, “is couples therapy covered by insurance?” While many policies include it, some limit coverage to individual therapy. Reviewing your benefits will give you a clear picture of what’s included.

Dr. Ivanov understands the impact mental issues can have on your life and comes up with the best treatment and payment options to ensure your long-term mental wellness. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ivanov to discuss your mental health benefits and how you can get the right treatment with your insurance plan.