Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy?
Usually, yes. Most commercial plans now cover online therapy at the same rate as an in-person visit, and that held after the pandemic-era rules were made permanent for most plans. Many states also have their own laws and regualtions. For instance, Texas has a document that can be downloaded that covers the requiremnts active in the state. The catch isn’t the format, it’s the network. Your clinician has to be licensed in the state where you are sitting during the session, not just in which state you reside in.
When traveling Out of State
Keep this in mind if you are traveling for work or vacation. During those times you will most likely not be able to use your insurance for sessions with a therapist that is back in your home state. Silly I know! Your therapist must be in network with your specific plan for you to get in-network rates. To check your own benefits, call the number on your card and ask: is outpatient telehealth mental health covered, what’s my copay, have I met my deductible, and do I need a referral or preauthorization. Write down who you spoke with. If the answers don’t line up later, that note is genuinely useful.
