There are around 115 million Americans covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. This means that roughly one in three Americans get their health insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield. BCBS is not a single company but is a federation of independently operated insurance companies that collectively form the BCBS Association.
About one in five Americans live with a mental health disorder. Many of them will require therapy and other interventions in order to manage their symptoms. Many of those who have mental illness will have insurance plans from BCBS, and they’ll wonder if the treatment of mental disorders is covered.
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Does Insurance Generally Cover Mental Health Services?
In general, Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plans cover mental health care. However, the amount of coverage you get will depend on your specific plan.
There are, however, some instances in which mental health services are not covered by insurance. If your plan was created before the Affordable Care Act mandated that insurance companies include mental health coverage, then your coverage may be limited.
Many Americans get their health insurance through their employer as part of their benefits. However, a large employer may not include mental health coverage as part of its employee insurance offerings.
How To Check If Your Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Health Plan Covers Therapy
There are several ways that you can check to see if outpatient mental health services are part of your insurance packages. First, if you get your insurance through your employer, then going over your benefits should help you determine if mental health treatment is included in your coverage.
Alternatively, you can log onto the Blue Cross Blue Shield member’s portal and check your Summary of Benefits. Once you get the summary, look for Outpatient Mental Health.
That section will indicate whether therapy sessions are covered by your insurance or not.
How Much Does Therapy Cost Without Insurance?
How much therapy sessions cost without insurance can depend on the severity of your needs and the therapists themselves. However, if you intend to pay for your mental health care out of your own pocket, then you should prepare to pay upwards of $50 per session for out-of-network services.
Find a Therapist In-Network For Mental and Behavioral Health
Because the cost of an individual therapy session can be quite high without insurance, it’s important for you to find a therapist who is in-network. This ensures that you’ll pay the least amount possible, in some cases, your out of pocket costs can be as little as $15 per session.
Check Your Coverage
One way to find in-network therapists is to contact your health insurance company. You can do this by either reaching out to their customer service or by checking their website, as both resources can provide information about behavioral and mental health coverage, including mental health professionals in your network.
Go Online
There are also a number of online directories that you can reference to look for therapists who accept your insurance. Some of these directories will have an online form where you can fill out information to help you get matched with an in-network therapist.
You can also reach out to therapists or clinics directly via email to check what forms of insurance they accept.
Verify Coverage and Schedule a Consultation
Before scheduling an appointment with a therapist, confirm with your insurance provider that the therapist is indeed in-network and that the services you’re seeking are covered by your plan.
Many therapists also offer a free initial consultation or a brief phone call to discuss your needs and determine if they’re a good clinical and financial match for you. Use this opportunity to ask any questions you may have and assess if you feel comfortable working with them.
It should also be noted that some plans may offer coverage for out-of-network treatment to support your mental health, albeit with higher copayments or coinsurance.
What Mental Health Conditions Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover
Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plans typically cover various mental and behavioral health disorders. BCBS plans often cover common mental illnesses like depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), eating disorders, and substance use disorders.
This coverage also often extends to psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and appointments with psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners.
BCBS plans also generally cover both inpatient treatment services such as hospitalization for acute psychiatric care and outpatient services like office visits and outpatient programs.
What Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Not Cover?
Family therapy is not usually covered by insurance. This is because while relationship troubles can be a source of stress, anxiety, and depression, they are not a diagnosable mental health condition, which means that therapy to address them is not covered by health insurance.
While life coaching can have some mental health benefits for some people, it’s not generally covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. This is because life coaching is focused on personal goals and not treating mental health disorders that can be diagnosed by a medical professional. For the same reason, career coaching is generally not covered either.
Does Insurance Coverage Extend to Virtual Therapy?
Many Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance plans cover virtual therapy, also known as teletherapy or telehealth services, for mental health treatment.
BCBS typically covers various types of online therapy, including video sessions with therapists, phone sessions, and online counseling platforms.
However, coverage for virtual therapy may vary depending on your specific BCBS plan. It’s important for you to review your plan’s details or contact customer service to understand what types of virtual therapy are covered, any copayments or coinsurance you may be liable for, and any limitations or requirements therein.
What Therapy Services Are Covered?
BCBS often covers evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT, which focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve mental health outcomes.
Other types of therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based approaches, may also be covered by BCBS.
We’ll Help With Your Behavioral or Mental Health
Navigating the world of insurance can be difficult in ordinary circumstances. However, it can be even harder when a mental disorder such as anxiety or depression makes it hard for you to focus.
Covering the cost of treatment is something that’s often at the forefront of a person’s mind before they make the decision to get help. Luckily, we take most forms of insurance and we can verify if your specific plan covers our care. Contact us now and we can begin your wellness journey.
