• Optum (WA, MT)

• Cigna (WA, MT)

• Aetna (WA, MT)

• Carelon (WA, MT)

• Ambetter (WA)

• BCBS (MT)

• Premera Blue Cross (WA)

• Lifewise (WA)

• Regence Blue Shield (WA)

• Tricare (WA)

• Spring Health (EAP Services).

• $175/53 minutes for OON or Private Pay Sessions.

• $200/60-90 minute diagnostic intake evaluation

• If I am not credentialed with your insurance provider and you would like to work together, you may wish to inquire if your insurance covers Out of Network (OON) benefits for mental health services. If you plan to use out-of-network benefits, I can provide you a superbill to submit to your insurance company. Coverage varies by plan, so I encourage you to contact your insurance provider to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits.

• Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining the expected costs of your mental health services if you are not using insurance. This estimate outlines the typical fees for sessions, the types of services you may receive, and the anticipated total cost of treatment based on the information available at the time services began. Your actual care needs may change over the course of therapy, which can affect the total number of sessions or overall cost. You are encouraged to ask questions at any time about your fees, your estimate, or your treatment plan. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the charge. This Good Faith Estimate is provided to help you make informed decisions about your care and to support transparency regarding the cost of therapy.

• Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health therapy?

• Are there specific diagnoses or types of therapy that are covered or excluded?

• Do you cover telehealth sessions for out-of-network providers?

• What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much of it have I already met?

• After I meet my deductible, what percentage of the session fee will be reimbursed?

• Is the reimbursement based on the provider’s rate or an “allowed amount” / “usual & customary rate”?

• What is the “allowed amount” for CPT code 90834 or 90837 in my area?

• What documentation do I need from my therapist to submit a claim?

• How do I submit out-of-network claims (online portal, mail, app)?

• How long does reimbursement typically take?

• Are there limits on the number of sessions per year?

• Do I need prior authorization for out-of-network therapy?

• Is a referral from my primary care physician required?

• Will I be reimbursed directly?

• Do you require a specific diagnosis code for reimbursement?

• Are there any services that won’t be covered (e.g., couples therapy, paperwork, letters)?

• Are video sessions covered under out-of-network benefits at the same rate as in-person?

• Can you send me my out-of-network benefits in writing or via email?

• Who can I contact if I have questions about a denied claim?

While I do value keeping therapy accessible by accepting insurance, I also value providing you with information that can help determine if using insurance benefits for your mental health therapy is the right choice for you:

Pros of Using Insurance:

• Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs

  Using your insurance often means paying a reduced fee such as a copay or coinsurance, making therapy more affordable.

• Greater Accessibility

  Insurance can make ongoing or weekly therapy more financially sustainable, reducing the stress of paying entirely out of pocket.

• Predictable Payment Structure

  Once your deductible and benefits are clear, costs tend to remain consistent—providing predictability in your monthly budget.

• Out-of-Network Reimbursement Options

  Some plans reimburse for services provided by out-of-network therapists. If your plan includes this, you may still receive partial reimbursement while working with a therapist of your choice.

Cons of Using Insurance

• A Mental Health Diagnosis Is Required

  Using insurance benefits for your mental health therapy requires your therapist to assign a formal mental health diagnosis to approve and reimburse therapy services provided to you. This becomes part of your medical record. To be clear, I do not think that having a mental health diagnosis is inherently a “con.” Rather, the requirement to formulate a diagnosis can feel limiting, forced or at times ill-fitting for seeking therapeutic support around certain presenting concerns.

• Reduced Privacy

  To process claims, insurance companies receive information such as your diagnosis, session dates, and sometimes treatment summaries. This limits complete confidentiality.

• Restrictions on Session Length or Frequency

  Insurance may limit:

  • number of covered sessions

  • session length

  • types of therapy covered

  • whether telehealth is included

  This can affect therapeutic flexibility.

• Authorization Requirements or Denials

  Some plans require prior authorization or have specific rules about what they consider “medically necessary.” This can delay or interrupt care.