Using Insurance for Therapy
Our practice works with some insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare and Optum. Here is how to check your benefits.
01
Plans we work with
Our practice works with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare and Optum. That is a starting point, not a promise. Insurance companies offer many different plans under the same name, and network status can differ by plan, by clinician, and over time. Before your first session, the practice will check details with you. If your plan is not one we work with, out-of-network benefits and superbills may be an option.
02
Checking your own benefits
Call the member services number on your insurance card and ask about outpatient mental health benefits. Useful questions: Is this provider in network for my specific plan? Do I have a copay or coinsurance for therapy? Have I met my deductible? Do I need a referral or preauthorization? Are telehealth sessions covered? Is there a limit on sessions per year? Write down the answers, the date, and who you spoke with. It helps if questions come up later.
03
What insurance usually needs
To bill insurance, a clinician needs to assign a diagnosis that fits what you are experiencing. Insurers may also ask for treatment information to review whether care is covered. Sessions at our practice are 55 minutes, once or twice weekly depending on what you and your therapist decide. If your plan has limits on frequency or the number of sessions, talk with your therapist about how that shapes the plan.
04
Costs insurance does not cover
Even with insurance, you may owe a copay, coinsurance, or the full fee until your deductible is met. Our cancellation policy asks for at least 24 hours' notice; late cancellations and missed sessions are charged the full session fee, which insurance does not pay. If paying is a concern, ask about sliding scale eligibility. Sliding scale is available for those who qualify. Ask us about our sliding scale when you reach out. It is reasonable to talk about money early so there are fewer surprises.
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When an injury case is involved
If your therapy is connected to an accident or injury and you are working with an attorney, there may be other payment arrangements, such as a lien, in addition to or instead of insurance. That depends on your case and your attorney. Ask about it during a consultation so the practice can explain what is possible. Please keep detailed case information out of the contact form and save it for the conversation.
Questions
Before You Begin
Will my insurance cover therapy with you?
We cannot promise coverage before checking your specific plan. The practice confirms details with you.
Is the consultation billed to insurance?
The 15-minute consultation is free.
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