Does insurance cover therapy? A plain-language guide for Santa Clarita families
Therapy costs can feel confusing, and that confusion keeps a lot of people from starting. Insurance is confusing. Nobody is born knowing what a deductible, a copay or "out-of-network" means, and you shouldn't have to figure it out alone. Here is a simple way to think about it.
Step one: look at your mental health benefits
Call the number on your insurance card and ask whether you have outpatient mental health coverage, whether there is a deductible, and what your copay is. Coverage depends on your plan, so the answers can be different from one family to the next.
Plans we accept
We accept several plans, including Cigna, Aetna, Kaiser and Medi-Cal/Medicare. Our rates page has the current details.
If you have a PPO plan
A lot of families have a PPO plan, and there are two ways it can work with us.
If we're in-network with your PPO plan, you pay your copay and we bill the plan.
If you have a PPO plan with out-of-network benefits and we're not in-network with it, we can provide a superbill. A superbill is a receipt with the details your insurance company needs, so you can submit it and ask about reimbursement.
We can also be in-network with PPO plans, so if yours isn't on our list, ask us. We'd rather help you find a way to make it work.
Insurance words, decoded
Insurance language can make a simple question feel complicated. Here is what the common terms mean in plain English.
Deductible: the amount you pay yourself each year before your plan starts sharing costs. Copay: a flat fee you pay per visit. Coinsurance: a percentage of the cost you pay after the deductible. In-network: the provider has an agreement with your plan, which usually means lower costs. Out-of-network: the provider does not have that agreement, and some plans still reimburse part of the cost. Superbill: a receipt we can provide that you submit to your plan to request reimbursement.
Questions to ask your insurance company
A short call to the number on the back of your card can save a lot of guessing. Ask whether your plan covers outpatient mental health, whether you have a deductible and how much of it has been met, what your copay or coinsurance is for therapy, whether there is a limit on the number of sessions, and whether you have out-of-network benefits. Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with and what they told you.
What to have in hand
When you reach out to us, it helps to have your insurance card, the name of the plan, and the age of the person who would be coming to therapy. If the client is 25 or younger, they may qualify for no-cost therapy even if you have insurance, and we may ask for insurance information to register. Our client care coordinator checks coverage before the first session so there are no surprises.
Questions families ask
Do I have to use insurance? Not always. Depending on age and eligibility, some clients can receive no-cost care. Text us at 661-383-2252 and we will walk through the options.
What if my plan is not on your list? Ask us anyway. We can explain options such as reimbursement for out-of-network visits.
Will I know my cost before I start? Yes. That is why we check coverage ahead of time and talk it through with you before the first session.
Is there a free way to get started? Yes. We offer a free 15 minute consult so you can ask questions and see if we are a fit before you decide anything.
We'll walk you through it before your first session
Before your first session, our client care coordinator checks whether you're in network, looks up your copay, and walks you through it in plain language. No surprises, and no guessing. You'll know what to expect before you ever sit down with a therapist.
If you are 25 or under
You may qualify for therapy at no cost to you. We'll check with you, and you may be asked for insurance information to register you, but you won't get a bill.
Not sure where you fit?
That's completely okay. Text us at 661-383-2252 and we'll walk you through it.
Rates and insurance: Rates & Insurances Accepted
How to start: Steps to Start Therapy
College students and young adults: College & Young Adults
Explore: No-cost therapy for kids and teens in Santa Clarita
Creative Connections, 24325 Main Street, Ste. 102, Newhall