Therapist that takes insurance, and how to confirm your coverage
Using insurance for therapy can lower what you pay, but the rules are not always easy to follow. This page explains the main terms in plain words, shows what to check with your plan and your therapist, and explains how the insurance filter on NearbyTherapy works. Searching is free for patients and no account is needed.
Search therapists by insurance
Enter your city or ZIP code and choose your insurer in the Insurance field. Claimed profiles that list your plan appear first, and other licensed providers in your area appear below.
In network and out of network, explained
An in network therapist has a contract with your insurance company. They agree to a set rate, bill the insurer directly and usually charge you only your share, such as a copay, coinsurance or the amount left on your deductible. For many people, in network care is the lowest cost option.
An out of network therapist has no contract with your plan. You usually pay the full fee at the time of the session. If your plan includes out of network mental health benefits, you may be able to ask the insurer to reimburse part of that fee afterward. Some plans, often HMO and EPO plans, have no out of network coverage at all except in limited cases.
| Term | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Copay | A fixed amount you pay per session, set by your plan |
| Coinsurance | A percentage of the allowed fee that you pay after the deductible |
| Deductible | The amount you pay each year before the plan begins to share costs |
| Allowed amount | The rate the insurer considers reasonable for a service |
| Prior authorization | Approval some plans require before certain services are covered |
What a superbill is
A superbill is a detailed receipt a therapist gives you after sessions you paid for yourself. It usually lists the provider's name, NPI and license, the dates of service, procedure codes for the type of session, a diagnosis code and the amount paid. You send it to your insurer to request out of network reimbursement. Whether and how much you get back depends on your plan, so ask your insurer before relying on it.
Because a superbill includes a diagnosis code, some people choose to pay privately without involving insurance. That is a personal choice worth thinking through with the therapist.
How to confirm your mental health coverage
Coverage depends on your exact plan, not only on the insurance company's name. A short call to your plan, using the number on your member card, can answer most questions.
- Do I have outpatient mental health benefits, and are they in network only or also out of network?
- What is my copay or coinsurance for a therapy session?
- How much of my deductible is left this year?
- Is there a limit on sessions, or is prior authorization needed?
- Is my mental health coverage managed by a separate behavioral health company?
- Is a specific therapist in network, using their name and NPI?
Then confirm with the therapist as well. Networks change, and a directory, including ours, can only reflect what a provider tells it.
How the insurance filter works on NearbyTherapy
The insurance filter matches claimed profiles only, because the list of plans a therapist accepts comes from the therapist. When a provider claims a profile, they enter the insurers they are in network with and whether they offer superbills or a sliding scale.
Below those results, "More licensed providers in" your city shows listings from the NPPES NPI Registry. The registry does not record insurance at all, so for these listings, call the practice to ask whether they take your plan. Every listing shows the practice phone and NPI, which makes that call quicker.
Guides for common plans
- Therapist near me that takes Medicaid explains how Medicaid mental health coverage works and how state programs differ.
- Therapists near me that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield explains why Blue plans vary from state to state.
If you are paying without insurance
Many therapists offer self pay rates and some offer a sliding scale. As broad public information, self pay fees often fall somewhere between about 100 and 250 USD per session and vary widely by city and credential. If you are uninsured or not using insurance, federal rules under the No Surprises Act generally give you the right to a good faith estimate of expected charges before care begins. Read therapy without insurance and how much therapy costs for more detail.
How do I find a therapist who takes my insurance?
Use the Insurance field in the search to see claimed profiles that list your plan, then confirm with both the therapist and your insurer. For registry listings, call the practice to ask.
Is therapy covered by insurance?
Most health plans in the United States include some mental health coverage, but the details depend on the plan. Call the number on your member card to confirm benefits.
What if my therapist is out of network?
You usually pay the full fee and may request partial reimbursement with a superbill if your plan has out of network benefits. Check with your plan first.
Does NearbyTherapy check insurance for me?
No. Insurance details on claimed profiles are entered by therapists. Always confirm coverage with your plan and with the provider before your first session.
If you need help now
NearbyTherapy is a directory, not a crisis or emergency service. If you are thinking about suicide or self harm, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), which does not require insurance. Call 911 in an emergency. See our crisis page.
Find a therapist who accepts your plan
Search by city or ZIP and choose your insurer. Free for patients, no account needed.