What if an Online Therapist Doesn't Take My Insurance Plan?
Deciding that you need to talk to a therapist about your mental and emotional well-being can feel like a big step.
It can be challenging to admit to ourselves that we need help and support. When you finally decide it’s time to talk to someone, you are probably looking to begin therapy as soon as you possibly can. And thus, the search for an online therapist in your state begins.
Starting Your Search for An Online Therapist in Florida
You might ask your friends to recommend a counselor they’re familiar with, but you will probably also do your own search online. You may do an internet search for an “online therapist in New Orleans” or “online counseling near MacDill Airforce Base.” As you look through the list of search results and check out therapists’ websites, you may find a therapist you really think you’ll connect with. When you read through the services she provides in her online counseling practice, you feel like this is the type of help you’ve been needing to support your postpartum mental health journey or your ongoing struggle with anxiety and depression.
However, when you reach out to the therapist, you may discover that she doesn’t take your insurance plan and you had hoped to use your insurance benefits to cover your therapy services. You may feel disappointed or confused about what to do.
There are so many different factors that go into a therapist deciding whether to accept insurance for their online practice or not, and it can be frustrating to run into this issue. Here are two ideas of how to work with a therapist who may not accept your insurance plan.
Use Your FSA or HSA Account to Pay Out-of-Pocket for Online Therapy
If the therapist you are wanting to work with doesn’t accept your insurance plan, ask what their private pay rate is. Each online counselor sets their own private pay fees, and some even offer sliding scale rates for those who are facing financial hardships or otherwise cannot afford the therapist’s fees. Either way, by using your FSA or HSA account, you are able to use the funds you have set aside for medical expenses to cover the cost of your therapy appointments.
Ask Your Online Counselor to Provide You With a Superbill
While the online therapist you are wanting to work with may not accept your insurance plan, you may be able to get some form of reimbursement still. Check with your insurance company to see if your plan has an out-of-network benefit, which means you could still see a provider who is not in-network. In asking if your plan has this benefit, double check to see if you can submit a Superbill to the insurance company and find out how much they will reimburse you for your online therapy appointments. Most online therapists can provide you with a Superbill, and using a tool like Reimbursify to submit the Superbill to your insurance company can make the process extremely smooth and painless.
Check With Your Insurance Plan for In-Network Providers
If you find that it is not an option for you to pay out-of-pocket for your therapy appointments or to get reimbursed from your insurance company for sessions, then you may have to search for a therapist that is in-network with your plan. You can go to your insurance company’s website and search for providers who accept your specific plan and begin your search for a provider from there. By looking for a provider who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana or who accepts Tricare East Humana Military, you can be confident that your insurance plan will cover your online therapy sessions.
Begin working with an Online Therapist in Florida
Finding the right support can often take extra steps, but the results are worth the work. I would be happy to work with you in addressing any issue affecting you from the comfort of home. I support women in Colorado, Louisiana, and Hawaii via online therapy. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
Schedule a free 15-minute consult via phone or video
Start receiving support from the comfort of your surroundings!
Other Services Offered By Ashley Comegys, LCSW
I offer many services for women living in Colorado, Louisiana, and Hawaii. These mental health services include therapy for anxiety, online postpartum depression treatment, online postpartum support, and online depression treatment. I also offer online grief counseling for women, online therapy for military spouses, and online trauma treatment for women. Learn helpful info by visiting my about page, or my blog!