Before taking a deep dive into the therapy world, I never would have considered looking outside of my insurance network to find a great therapist. I assumed it would be easier and less expensive to see an in-network therapist — that’s why we have insurance, right? I quickly learned that’s always not the case. Sometimes, it’s a better choice to see an out-of-network therapist.
If you’re starting to look for a therapist, here are 8 reasons you may want to consider seeing an out-of-network therapist.
1. You’re looking for a therapist with a unique skill set
While many therapists are qualified to treat common challenges – such as anxiety or depression – if you are interested in working with a specialist to address a specific challenge, you should consider looking out-of-network.
Private pay therapists often have more specialized practices. So if you come across a therapist whose skills directly speak to your needs, it’s worth reaching out.
Picture your dream therapist. If you imagine one of the following – or someone with a similarly niche expertise – consider looking outside of your insurance network:
- A therapist of color
- An eating disorder therapist
- An OCD specialist
- An insomnia specialist
- A cognitive behavioral therapist (CBT) specialist
- A therapist who specializes in working with LGBTQ couples
2. You have a high deductible plan
A deductible is the amount you have to pay upfront before your insurance coverage kicks in. If you have a $6,000 deductible and you haven’t had any other medical expenses yet in the year, you are responsible for paying up to $6,000 in therapy session fees out-of-pocket before your standard copay applies. This is a case where seeing an in-network therapist and out-of-network therapist can accrue effectively the same cost.
3. You have good out-of-network benefits
If you have good out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may reimburse you as much as 80% of each session fee, depending on your plan and the therapist’s rate.
This means that in some situations, using your out-of-network benefits can actually be more affordable or comparable to your standard copay to see an in-network therapist.
4. You want highly personalized services
If a therapist isn’t constrained by only providing services they can bill to an insurance company, they are often able to spend more time and creativity crafting the perfect treatment plan for you. Especially if you would like to receive mental health services for a long period of time, this extra attention may benefit your progress.
Out-of-network therapy opens doors for out-of-the-box treatment
Out-of-network therapists can offer longer or more frequent sessions than insurance might cover. You can also explore out-of-the-box solutions.
For example, if you are struggling with eating challenges, an out-of-network therapist might go with you to the grocery store or help you cook and eat healthful meals. These are services that an in-network therapist would not be able to bill (so they likely wouldn’t be offered).
This is also true of services that are not intended to address a diagnosable mental health condition, such as couples counseling.
5. You want to combine medication management with talk therapy
Some psychiatrists offer both psychotherapy and medication management, which allows for a more comprehensive understanding of your mental health needs before prescribing.
These services are often private pay, but they offer great convenience and highly coordinated care.
6. You don’t wish to use insurance benefits
Privacy from your family and/or parents
If you are on your parent’s insurance plan and are uncomfortable with them knowing you are seeing a therapist, you might consider paying out-of-pocket.
- Note: Since this also means you can’t use out-of-network benefits, session fees could get steep. Look for a therapist who offers a sliding scale— if you have financial limitations and explain the situation, some therapists are able to offer reduced rates.
Privacy from your health insurance company
In order for your insurance to pay for therapy sessions, therapists are required to provide the company information regarding your sessions, including a diagnostic code. If you don’t want your insurance company to have access to any information about your mental health, consider out-of-network options.
7. You don’t want to wait to start therapy
In cities such as Boston, San Francisco, New York, and Washington D.C., many therapists choose not to accept insurances because they fill their caseloads easily and quickly.
Especially for the less-known insurance plans, it can be very difficult to find a therapist who is in-network and accepting new clients. If you limit your search by insurance, you may have to spend months on a waitlist before seeing a therapist.
8. You found a great match!
At the end of the day, your relationship with your therapist is one of the most important aspects of the healing process.
If you only consider in-network therapists, you might eliminate therapists who would be a really good fit for you and maybe help you feel better faster.
Choosing an in-network therapist who doesn’t make you feel comfortable or specialize in the areas you’re struggling with solely because they’re in-network is a waste of money (and not to mention time!). Prioritize the personality fit and you’ll find a great match — your mental health is worth it.
If you are working with a therapist you really like and your insurance company changes (you graduate school, you get off your parent’s insurance, you switch jobs), don’t panic! Depending on your insurance plan, it may still be affordable to see your therapist using out-of-network benefits.
Find in-network and out-of-network therapists on Zencare.co
Need help navigating health insurances or using out-of-network benefits? Take the following steps:
- Check your out-of-network benefits: These are typically in the Summary of Benefits that is included in a member information packet or on your insurance company website
- Call your insurance company to verify: The best way to be absolutely sure of your benefits is to call your insurance company member services line and ask:
- What is my out-of-network deductible for outpatient mental health?
- How much of my deductible has been met this year?
- What is my out-of-network coinsurance for outpatient mental health?
- Do I need a referral from an in-network provider to see someone out-of-network?
- How do I submit claim forms for reimbursement?
- Ask your therapist for a superbill: When you’re looking for a therapist, ask if they’ll be willing to submit claims to your insurance company for reimbursement. Typically, they’ll provide a document called a superbill that you send directly to your insurance company at the end of each month which will detail how many sessions you’ve had and the total fee.
- Receive reimbursement! You’ll need to pay your therapist their entire session fee at the time of service, but depending on your specific plan, your insurance company will mail you a check to reimburse a portion of the cost.
In our therapist directory, you can filter by Insurances. However, you can also filter by the pay range — so enter how much you’re willing to pay for an out-of-network therapist, check out some therapist profiles, and schedule an introductory call with ease.