Therapy is known to be quite expensive, depending on who you see and how long you have to go. An hourlong session can cost an amount that’s already pricey to some, and you’ll need more than one to see results.
Because of this, many people do not go to therapy when they should. Having a good therapist can be the difference between succeeding in life and failing due to stress and other challenges. However, there is a way. If you are insured, your insurance may cover therapy.
Free or Low-Cost Therapy Through Insurance
There was a time when health insurance didn’t cover therapy at all. To insurance companies, the only healthcare that was worth providing was healthcare that involved anything physical. Any other treatment, you had to pay out of pocket.
However, it was rightfully decided that mental healthcare was just as important, if not even more so, than physical health.
When a therapist accepts insurance, each session may be covered entirely, or you’ll pay a low price for it. This can allow you to get the mental healthcare you need without any worry about being in the red.
Check With Your Insurance Plan and See
If you have a health insurance plan, your first approach is to contact them, or look up your plan, and see what they cover. Most plans should have some kind of mental health coverage available, but you may wonder what they cover. Depending on your plan, you may have more or less coverage available, and more or fewer options.
However, it Can Be Hard to Find Someone Who Does
So now that the question of “does insurance cover therapy?” has been answered, it should be mentioned that not every therapist takes insurance. Depending on where you live, your options may be few and far between, or you may have some therapists who accept it, but the choices you have aren’t the best fit for the job.
When it comes to finding a therapist with insurance, there has been an improvement. With that said, there are still many therapists who don’t accept insurance plans, and for several reasons.
One reason why this may be the case is that insurance companies and therapists don’t have the best relationship. Some companies don’t pay the therapists enough money, or paperwork is such a hassle that the therapist doesn’t even bother. Obviously, mental health care is important, but in our system, the therapist needs to eat as well. Therapy is a process that requires years of education and training, and some therapists may make a lot less than you’d think.
Wait Times Can Be Hard As Well
If you use your insurance provider to connect to a therapist, it can take months depending on the situation. When you need help ASAP, a few months doesn’t cut it, and many people would rather pay out of pocket.
Even without insurance, some clinics are all booked up to begin with. The last thing you want is to wait for more, but with some plans, that’s sadly the only option that you may have.
Online Therapy and Insurance
Online therapy is increasing in popularity. The idea of speaking to a mental health professional through the comfort of one’s home is changing the game. With that said, most online therapy providers do not accept insurance of any kind. This can change with time, especially as online therapy grows in popularity, but for now, your options are limited. Luckily, online therapy can cost less, which can be a bit of reassurance when it feels like there isn’t any.
Insurance and Medical Necessity
Depending on your insurance plan, it may not cover therapy if you don’t have a diagnosis that needs treatment. For example, you may need to be diagnosed with depression by a doctor, then you can use your insurance to talk to a therapist.
The problem is that many people need a therapist to improve their quality of life for reasons that are not covered. For example, you should seek therapy if you’re having relationship troubles, but your insurance may not cover that. This can end up being extremely frustrating.
Therapy and Medical Records
Another challenge faced by therapists and insurance providers is that the therapist may have to put your treatment information on your medical record. The theme of therapy tends to be confidentiality, and when a therapist has to write down all your information, this can be a bit problematic, to say the least. While your medical record is private, many therapists may not like doing this out of principle, which is easy to understand.
Location
Also, your insurance may have therapists who accept your insurance, but they are in the next town over. It may be an hourlong drive or more, which some people can’t commit to, especially every week. If you live in a bigger city, this is less likely to happen, but rural people may be out of luck.
There Are Other Affordable Options
With that all said, there are some more affordable options as well. For example, some therapists offer pro-bono slots or have sliding scale payments, where you pay what you can afford. This can make the therapy process much easier for you.
Besides that, you may look into college counseling, religious counseling, or online counseling, all of which can cost less or nothing at all.
It’s Easier for Therapists to Accept Insurance, But Not Everywhere
Most therapists want insurance options. More clients, more people to help, and more money. However, the paperwork, rate reduction, and other challenges can make this difficult for therapists.
It is improving, but this also depends on where you live, what plans you have, and various other factors. Sometimes, finding affordable counseling and therapy may be your best option. You deserve mental health treatment, so find a therapist who can work with your budget or plan.
So look at your insurance plan, see what they cover, see who’s accepting, and then go from there.