Therapy can be a life-changing investment in your mental health, yet understanding the costs and how to pay for it can prevent people from seeking the care they need. Figuring out complex insurance situations, exploring government programs like Medicaid and Medicare, and researching how to use HSAs, FSAs, or EAPs can leave people wondering where to begin.
This guide breaks down what you need to know about the cost of therapy, how payment systems work, and how to troubleshoot common insurance issues, so you can focus less on the logistics and more on your mental health.
How much does therapy cost?
The cost of therapy varies depending on several factors. With insurance, costs typically range from $0 to $50 per session. Without insurance, sessions can cost between $100 to over $200. To understand how much therapy will cost you, it’s helpful to first verify what your insurance will cover, and then determine which provider you want to see. Then, once you know how frequently you’ll be attending therapy, you can determine a monthly cost.
How does health insurance work?
Many people find health insurance confusing because of its complex nature and technical-sounding terms. For example: What’s the difference between an HMO and a PPO? What do terms like coinsurance, copay, and deductible mean? What is COBRA? Understanding these concepts can help you make sure you’re getting the most out of your health insurance plan when it comes to therapy and mental health.
Can I use insurance for therapy?
Health insurance can be challenging to work with. But the good news is that if you have coverage, it’s very likely that therapy and mental health treatment will be covered. Many plans will cover your insurance directly, but you may have to pay for things like co-pays, deductibles, and coinsurance. With other plans, you can get reimbursed after paying for services up-front. Our article helps you understand things like in-network, out-of-network, reimbursements, and the pros and cons of using insurance for therapy.
Does Medicaid cover therapy?
The short answer is yes, Medicaid covers therapy. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 requires that health care plans must provide mental health care coverage that’s just as good as what they provide for traditional physical health coverage. The first step is finding a therapist who accepts your Medicaid plan. The types of therapy that are covered, as well as the associated costs, will vary depending on which Medicaid plan you have.
Does Medicare cover therapy?
Medicare covers a wide variety of therapy and mental health services. Once you find a therapist who accepts Medicaid, plans provide coverage for one-on-one or group therapy sessions and counseling with doctors, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, and more. Medicare doesn’t limit the number of therapy sessions, however, most plans do have a maximum that they will pay. The cost of therapy with Medicare — for example, your deductible and copay — will depend on your plan.
How do I pay for therapy?
Paying for therapy can be confusing. Not just when it comes to who will pay — will insurance cover it, or do you have to pay up front? — but also how to pay. For example, do therapists accept checks? Cash? Do they keep your credit card on file? Uncertainty about these things can make people feel apprehensive about seeking treatment. Learn more about how to pay for therapy, how to get reimbursed by insurance, and if therapists accept payment plans:
Can I use an HSA, FSA, or EAP for therapy?
Health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending spending accounts (FSAs), and employer assistance programs (EAPs) can all help you pay for therapy in different ways. There are important differences between these programs, however. HSAs and FSAs offer valuable tax benefits but restrict the items and services you can spend the funds on. An EAP typically comes at no cost to employees of companies that offer such services, and you can access mental health care directly through the program.
How do I troubleshoot insurance problems?
Running into insurance problems can be frustrating — especially if you’re using insurance to pay for mental health care. Incorrect bills, denied claims, and confusing bureaucratic rules can all add stress to an already challenging situation. We’ve compiled tips for the most common problems, including finding out if your insurance covers therapy at all, what to do if your bill is inaccurate, and how to get reimbursed for out-of-network coverage.
About Grow Therapy
Grow Therapy is an online therapy platform that meets you where you are. With thousands of providers, therapy and medication support, and insurance-covered care, starting therapy is faster, easier, and more affordable.
