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Ah, money. Deciding to get mental health treatment can be a journey of its own. Next, the person has to figure out what type of mental health provider they want. Then, there’s the little detail of figuring out how to pay for your therapy or psychiatry.
People worry about potential costs to treatment. Understandable—expenses add up quickly, and everybody’s on a budget. Even so, don’t let costs persuade you out of seeking treatment. Your mental health is incredibly important, and I encourage everybody to prioritize it as much as you can.
But just because treatment can be expensive doesn’t mean it has to be. There are many ways to pay for therapy and/or psychiatry.
Insurance Options to Pay for Therapy and Meds
In-Network
Ah yes, the ever-complicated insurance system here in the states. Different providers take different insurances. Medicare, Medicaid, and some private plans may cover most or all treatment costs. Other insurances may cover the entirety of treatment.
If you’re not sure, call your insurance and see what kind of mental health services they’re covering. They can give you a list of providers in your network and tell you what your copay will be. Usually, providers run your insurance when you first start treatment to make sure everything looks good.
I could write a whole post on using insurance for mental health treatment in the United States, but I don’t want to pull every hair from my head in frustration. Fortunately, my scalp can live to see another day. Mental Health America has an extraordinarily detailed write-up for navigating this labyrinthine system. Check out their post here.
Out-of-Network, or the “Superbill”
Many insurances have an out-of-network option. Basically, this means that you can see any provider you’d like and be reimbursed.
Just ask your provider if they can provide you a “Superbill.” This document lists your identifying information, the professional’s National Provider Identification, your mental health diagnosis, and the type of service (IE: psychotherapy) to prove that there’s actual treatment going on. Once you send the superbill to your insurance, they will process it and then reimburse you a set amount.
Cash Brings More Options
Flat Fee
Unfortunately, not everybody has insurance or a plan to cover mental health treatment. Furthermore, many therapists and psychiatrists don’t take insurance at all. These providers instead ask for one flat fee.
That fee will vary wildly based on things like that provider’s location, level of experience, and license. According to GoodTherapy.org, most psychotherapy sessions cost around $100-$200 in most parts of the United States. However, if they have a particular expertise, they may charge more.
From what I’ve seen, psychiatrists—medical doctors specializing in mental health—charge more than that. It’s not unusual for a psychiatrist outside of your insurance network to charge $500 for an initial consultation, and a couple hundred dollars per appointment after that. Keep in mind, however, that you are likely to see a psychiatrist far less often than a psychologist or other kind of therapist.
Sliding Scale
A lot of people may not be able to pay cash like this. If financial constraints are obstructing you from starting treatment, ask the provider if they use a sliding scale for payments.
A sliding scale means that you pay a certain amount based on how much money you make. For example, if you made $30,000 per year, you may pay a therapist $80 per session, where as a person making $100,000 may pay $150.
It’s meant to be a “pay what you can” model. If you don’t have insurance or the provider you’re talking to doesn’t take your plan, ask to be evaluated on their sliding scale to get an idea what you’d have to pay. Not everybody has a sliding scale, but it doesn’t hurt asking!
Cheap or Free Clinics
Just because somebody doesn’t have health insurance and can’t afford paying cash out of pocket doesn’t mean they don’t need mental health treatment. There are free or highly affordable treatment options for people who are financially strapped.
Most schools and universities should have counselors on staff. Contact a nurse or administrator for help connecting to treatment. Keep in mind, though, that treatment is usually time-limited through schools.
One website you can use is https://www.freeclinics.com/. Click your state and county, and you’ll see a whole bunch of clinics pop up. As of this writing, it doesn’t appear you can sort by service you’re looking for. If you’re on a computer, try pressing the buttons “control” and “F” at the same time, then type in “behavioral health” to search for good fits.
Other organizations, such as some churches or scholarship programs, also offer help in paying down mental health costs.
There’s a Way to Pay For Therapy, Psychiatry, and More
Don’t let cost be the obstacle keeping you from getting mental health treatment. Use all the resources available to you. If you have health insurance, you can try to find a provider that’s covered. If you find a therapist or psychiatrist you really like and insurance isn’t an option, see if they have some kind of sliding scale.
Getting help can feel daunting, but it’s not impossible. Thanks to the internet and the growth of video sessions, you can get treatment from the comfort of your own home. Expenses can add up, but advocate for yourself and get the treatment you need for a price you can afford. There’s more mental health treatment out there than ever before. Get the help you deserve.
Whether you’re years into your mental health recovery or just starting out, it’s important to keep track of your mood and see how you’re doing throughout the day. Consider subscribing to my email list, which will get you a free worksheet to record how you’re feeling throughout the day. Knowing what makes you feel better or worse is incredibly important.
What has been your experience trying to pay for treatment? Do you have any good tips that helped you? Sound off in the comments below. And if you think this post might be helpful, please consider sharing it!
