Many people who need mental health therapy may not get it because they worry about the cost. Some people may have health insurance that covers mental wellness, but over 11 million Americans don’t. Even if you do have insurance coverage, it may not cover the specific types of mental health treatment you need.
There are resources and hope for you, however. You can start with a phone call to one of the mental health hotlines listed on our site, staffed with compassionate professionals who can help you learn more about treatment options in your area and how to find a therapist without insurance.
Insurance Coverage and Therapy
Insurance plans vary by the carrier and plan type, so your first step should be to read your policy and see what’s covered and if any conditions are excluded. If you have trouble with the small print and insurance jargon (don’t we all!), you can also call your carrier’s customer support line.
Even if your insurance company has mental health treatment coverage as an option, your specific therapy may not be covered. Why? Because most insurance carriers only pay for “medically necessary” services. Your carrier could deny your treatment on the grounds that it’s not medically necessary. In that case, you may have to work with your primary care doctor to get a referral for therapy or have your therapist or psychologist submit documentation stating that your care is medically necessary.
How Can I Use My Insurance for Therapy?
Your insurance carrier’s customer support line may also be able to tell you which therapists near you accept your insurance plan and what your co-pay or coinsurance fees will be. Using insurance to cover mental health therapy or counseling sessions is just like using it for a trip to the doctor’s office for a cold or a stomachache.
Some insurance plans cover only a set number of sessions, so be sure to ask about limits on your treatment. If there’s a limit on your sessions, you may be able to continue working with your therapist after you’ve used the covered sessions but pay out-of-pocket to continue. You can also ask the therapy provider if they have sliding-scale payment options for people with limited income or a no-insurance therapist who provides care for people who can’t afford it.
Workplace Resources for Mental Health Care
Many employers offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) to help employees who are going through a critical life change or may need mental health support. Not every employer has one — they’re not mandatory — but many do. You can usually find out more from your Human Resources manager or by checking your employee handbook or benefits to see what options your company offers.
Your employer may be able to refer you to therapists covered by your insurance. Larger employers often have an employee benefits specialist, someone who can explain what your health care policy covers or what other benefits are available for mental health support.
Free and Low-Cost Therapy Options Near Me
Suppose you don’t have insurance, or maybe your employer doesn’t have an employee assistance program for mental health. Your community may have free or low-cost resources to address common mental health concerns, like AA, NA or Overeaters Anonymous. Many of the 12-step-based programs offer online therapy without insurance.
You may also get connected with therapy without insurance near you through one of these agencies:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988; Llame al 988 (para ayuda en español)
Use Lifeline Chat on the web (English only) - Disaster Distress Helpline
Call or text 1-800-985-5990 - Veterans Crisis Line
Use Veterans Crisis Chat on the web
If you’re seeking mental health coverage, you may also find help through one of these free federally sponsored agencies:
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): CMS has information online about benefits and eligibility for mental health programs plus how to enroll.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): For information on mental health and to locate treatment services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM) MedlinePlus: NLM’s website has directories and lists of organizations that can help identify a health practitioner.
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): The HRSA website has information on affordable health care, including health centers offering care on a sliding fee scale.
Get the Help You Need Today!
You’ve made the decision to seek therapy and improve your mental well-being — congratulations! This is a critical first step, one that many people don’t take. You can learn more about resources in your area from one of the local mental health helplines listed on our site. You’ll reach a trained professional 24 hours a day who connects you with resources in your area or will listen if you simply need to talk.