Does insurance cover therapy?
Understanding therapy coverage
First things first: Are therapists covered by insurance? The answer is yes. Many health insurance plans include therapy as part of covered mental health services.
Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, coverage for mental health care is often comparable to medical or surgical benefits.
If you're a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) member, we have resources to help you navigate your mental health care with confidence.
Types of therapy typically covered
Virtual mental health care
Many insurance plans cover teletherapy, allowing people to receive therapy services from anywhere by phone or computer. This option has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and flexibility.
Most insurance companies, including Blue Cross NC, cover virtual mental health care for both in-network and out-of-network providers, but it's important to confirm coverage with your insurer before accessing care.
Coverage factors
- Network providers: Most plans cover therapy with in-network providers at a lower cost than out-of-network.
- Session limits: Some plans cap the number of sessions you can receive in a year.
- Pre-authorization requirements: Certain plans require a referral from a primary care doctor or pre-approval before therapy sessions are covered.
- Diagnosis requirements: Your coverage might depend on having a specific mental health diagnosis.
Even with insurance coverage, therapy often comes with some out-of-pocket expenses, such as copays and coinsurance.
Starting therapy with your insurance
Because all health plans are different, it's important to do some research to learn about your plan before making your first appointment.
Consider these five steps when planning to begin therapy sessions:
Check your plan documents to understand your mental health benefits, including what's covered and any restrictions.
Blue Cross NC members can find coverage details in their in member portal.
