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Make ADHD Your Superpower
This article aims to teach you how to utilize a practical framework to advocate for the support you need from coaches and other support providers;
January 30, 2022
The Ultimate Guide: How to Find a Therapist Covered by Insurance
Working with or around insurance providers is never an easy process, and we know it can be frustrating to find a therapist covered by insurance. This is only made even more difficult if you’re stuck in your current insurance plan and need immediate treatment.
Today we’ll cover how to find a therapist covered by insurance.
Remember: open enrollment for health insurance typically starts November 1st and ends around December 15th. If you’re trying to find a therapist covered by insurance and can’t wait for the next open enrollment period, there are resources that you can find to help you find the treatment you need.
How to Find a Therapist by Insurance
How Do I Know If My Insurance Plan Covers Therapy?
Not all insurance plans cover therapy. Some plans may only cover a certain number of sessions per year.
To find out if your insurance plan covers therapy, check your official insurance coverage information provided by your employer. You also can call your insurance provider to have any questions answered regarding coverage, fees, or anything else. Your insurance card may also provide a plan name or membership type that you can look up online.
Professional Resources to Find a Therapist Covered by Insurance
Insurance Provider
Your best bet to find a therapist by insurance is to contact the insurance provider directly. All therapists in their records are already approved for coverage, although coverage amounts may vary.
Call the insurance provider’s information number, or check their website for a list of therapists covered. Websites might not always be up-to-date, but can provide a good starting point for finding a therapist by insurance.
Main health insurance companies include:
- Aetna
- Anthem BlueCross BlueShield
- Cigna
- Humana
- United
There are plenty of other health insurance companies to consider, especially depending on the state you live in, that can be used to find a therapist by insurance.
Primary Care Doctor
A great way to find a therapist by insurance is to ask your primary care doctor for a recommendation. Doctors regularly work with multiple insurance companies — chances are they’ve worked with your preferred insurance company before. For this reason, your primary care doctor may already have a list of therapists that you can reach out to.
Specialty doctors, such as a neurologist, can also help you find a therapist by insurance. Doctors are a helpful resource, don’t be afraid to use them!
Employer
Check with your employer if they offer an Employer Assistance Program (EAP).
EAPs are employer-subsidized programs designed to provide employees with free or cheap resources for personal problems. Participating in these programs do not require you to give details on what resources you need or why you’re participating, so your therapy needs will be kept confidential.
If your employer doesn’t offer an EAP, they still may have internal resources that can be used to find a therapist covered by insurance. PEOs, for example, may offer multiple insurance types and can provide a list of therapists by each company offered. Your HR department may also be a helpful resource here and might have therapist recommendations.
If you’re unemployed, you can look towards COBRA, The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), or state government short-term coverage until you’re able to find a therapist covered by insurance.
Online Database
An internet search of how to find a therapist by insurance will oftentimes bring up an online database with therapist information. Using these sites, you can filter your search by location, treatments offered, and more importantly, insurance provider(s) accepted.
While these databases may not always be 100% accurate, they tend to be fairly up-to-date. One thing to note is that, while online databases can help you find a therapist by insurance, it may be difficult to find exactly what you need since so many results will populate. You’ll need to do your research to narrow down your work here!
What If I Can’t Find a Therapist Covered by My Insurance?
If you’re unable to find a therapist covered by your insurance or if you find a therapist that seems like they would be a good fit but don’t accept your insurance provider, you still have the option to attend out-of-network sessions. Most therapists will still accept you as a patient. However, these sessions will cost more money than if you were to see a therapist covered by an insurance provider.
If you need to be more conservative with your finances, don’t fret! There are additional ways to find a therapist not covered by insurance — and within your budget.
Please note that the more specialized a therapist is, the more expensive their treatment tends to be.
Free or Cheap Therapy Resources
It’s possible to find an affordable therapist by insurance using community resources. Therapists often want to make treatment as accessible as possible, so there are ways to find flexible treatment.
State or County Counseling and Services
Community counseling centers are common on a state-wide or county-wide level. These centers don’t just provide lower-cost mental health services, but they also have wide exposure to different insurance companies, making them an excellent resource to find a therapist covered by insurance.
These community centers may be part of a college, hospital, non-profit, or a state-funded organization. They see many patients and have past experience identifying and referring therapists based on insurance and treatment needs.
Colleges
Most colleges and universities that offer psychology or social work classes are willing to help their community, even if you don’t attend the school. Reach out to local educational institutions to see if they have resources on how to find a therapist by insurance. Because these students are being trained in the field, psychology departments likely are familiar with local therapists and the insurances they accept.
Some may even offer student therapy sessions that you can attend. These are a win/win because you get an affordable, short-term therapy experience while the student gains real experience. Students may also be able to provide first-hand insights on how to find a therapist by insurance.
Wrapping Up How to Find a Therapist by Insurance
The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. And while finding a therapist by insurance may seem overwhelming at first, there are plenty of online and community resources that can be used to simplify your search.
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