1. We recommend that you contact your insurance prior to starting therapy to inquire about your behavioral health benefits, whether or not you need pre-authorization or referral, your co-pays or deductible, and if you have other provisions or limitations to your particular policy.

2. For some people, it makes sense to use health insurance for psychotherapy, especially if it allows them access to services that otherwise they won’t be able to afford. Insurance companies can sometimes pay for a portion or all your therapy, based on your policy. Other people decided that the flexibility afforded by paying privately is worth the extra cost.

3. You will be asked to provide written authorization for your therapist to communicate with your insurer. The insurance company would like to get some personal information about your situation and treatment plan.

4. You will be given a mental health diagnosis by your therapist (such as depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder, etc.) in order to prove medical necessity. If you don’t meet criteria for diagnostic criteria, your insurer may not pay for your therapy. You should know that some people do full into diagnostic categories, especially when they experience significant stress in their lives, but some are not. Many people are seeking therapy even if they do not exhibit significant distress; however, they use therapy as a tool for self-enhancement and self-growth. Being a medical insurance, the insurers only support therapy that is deemed medically necessary.

5. Your insurer controls the length of therapy and sometimes the models of therapy they accept.