Does Insurance Cover Therapy? Everything You Need to Know

The short answer: yes, most health insurance plans cover therapy. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), mental health services are considered an "essential health benefit," meaning most marketplace and employer-sponsored plans must include coverage for therapy and counseling.

But the details — what's covered, how much you'll pay, and which therapists are in-network — vary significantly between plans. Here's everything you need to know.

What the Law Requires

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires that insurance companies treat mental health coverage the same as physical health coverage. This means:

Copays for therapy can't be higher than copays for medical visits
Deductibles must be comparable
Session limits must be equivalent to limits on physical health visits
Pre-authorization requirements must be similar

The ACA reinforced these protections, making mental health one of 10 essential health benefit categories that all marketplace plans must cover.

Major Insurance Providers and Therapy Coverage

Here's what major insurers typically cover:

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)

The largest health insurance network in the US. Most BCBS plans cover:

Individual and group therapy
Psychiatry and medication management
Substance abuse treatment
Inpatient mental health services

Typical copay: $20–$50 per session (in-network, after deductible).

Aetna

Aetna covers mental health services under most plans. Benefits include:

Outpatient therapy (individual, group, family)
Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) for autism
Telehealth therapy sessions

Typical copay: $25–$50 per session (in-network).

Cigna

Cigna provides comprehensive behavioral health coverage:

Outpatient and inpatient therapy
Crisis services
Substance abuse programs
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — often includes free initial sessions

Typical copay: $20–$40 per session (in-network).

United Healthcare (UHC)

The largest single health carrier in the US. UHC covers:

Individual, group, and family therapy
Psychiatric services
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
Virtual therapy through their Optum network

Typical copay: $25–$50 per session (in-network).

Humana

Humana's behavioral health benefits include outpatient therapy, psychiatry, and telehealth services. Typical copay: $20–$40 per session.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser uses an integrated model — your therapist is part of the Kaiser system. This makes coordination easy but limits your choice of providers. Coverage includes individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatry. Copay: $15–$30 per session.

Medicare

Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health services, including:

Individual and group therapy
Psychiatric evaluation
Medication management
Telehealth therapy (expanded since 2020)

Medicare typically covers 80% of the approved amount after your Part B deductible. If you have a Medigap plan, it may cover the remaining 20%.

Medicaid

Medicaid covers mental health services in all states, though benefits vary. Most state Medicaid programs cover:

Outpatient therapy
Psychiatric services
Crisis intervention
Case management

Medicaid often has no copay or very low copays ($1–$5).

TRICARE

For military members, retirees, and families. TRICARE covers comprehensive mental health services with low or no copays for active-duty members.

In-Network vs Out-of-Network

This is the biggest factor affecting your out-of-pocket cost:

In-network: The therapist has a contract with your insurance company. You pay a copay ($20–$50) or coinsurance (10–30%) after your deductible. This is the most affordable option.
Out-of-network: The therapist doesn't have a contract with your insurer. You may pay the full fee upfront and submit a claim for partial reimbursement (typically 50–80% of the "allowed amount," which may be less than the actual fee). Many plans have a separate, higher deductible for out-of-network services.

Tip: If you want to see an out-of-network therapist, ask them for a "superbill" — a receipt with diagnosis codes that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

How to Check Your Coverage

Call the number on your insurance card and ask: "What are my outpatient mental health benefits?"
Ask specifically about: copay amount, deductible, number of allowed sessions per year, and whether pre-authorization is required.
Use your insurer's online portal to search for in-network therapists.
Use TherapistScore to find therapists in your area who may accept your insurance.

What If You Don't Have Insurance?

If you're uninsured, you still have options:

Sliding scale therapists: Adjust fees based on your income ($50–$100/session)
Community mental health centers: Offer services regardless of ability to pay
Open Path Collective: A network of therapists offering sessions for $30–$80
University training clinics: Sessions for $20–$60
Online platforms: BetterHelp and Talkspace offer plans starting around $65–$100/week

For more on costs and affordability, see our guide on How Much Does Therapy Cost in 2026?

Find Therapists Who Accept Your Insurance

Use TherapistScore to browse therapists by city and insurance provider:

Always verify coverage directly with the therapist and your insurance company before your first appointment.