How to Verify if a Counseling Center Accepts Your Insurance Plan
Whether you're considering Greenway Counseling & Wellness or another counseling practice, it's important to verify your mental health benefits before beginning therapy. Insurance plans vary in their coverage for counseling services, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and provider network participation.
One of the most common questions people ask is how to determine whether a counseling center accepts their insurance plan. The best approach is to contact both the counseling practice and your insurance company to confirm network participation, benefits, and any out-of-pocket costs before beginning services.
Before Beginning Therapy, Consider Confirming:
• Whether the counseling center is in-network with your insurance plan
• Your deductible amount
• Any copay or coinsurance responsibility
• Whether a referral or authorization is required
• Any limits on the number of covered therapy sessions
How to Verify Your Insurance Benefits for Therapy
To check your mental health coverage, call your insurance provider and ask the following questions:
1. Does my plan cover mental health or behavioral health benefits?
2. Do I have a deductible?
If yes, ask:
What is my deductible amount?
How much of it have I met so far?
Is there a separate deductible for individuals vs. family members?
3. Do I have a co-pay or co-insurance for therapy?
If yes, ask:
What is my co-pay or co-insurance amount per session?
4. Do I need a referral or prior authorization to see a therapist?
5. Does my plan limit how many therapy sessions I can have per year?
If yes, ask:
How many sessions are covered?
Can I request additional sessions if needed?
6. Are there any exclusions in my plan for therapy?
This is rare, but some plans do not cover specific diagnoses or services.
What if We Are Not "In-Network" with Your Insurance Plan?
If we are not in-network with your insurance, ask your provider about Out-of-Network (OON) benefits:
1. Do I have Out-of-Network benefits for mental health?
If yes, ask:
Do I need a referral or prior authorization to use my OON benefits?
How much will my insurance reimburse for therapy sessions? (They typically reimburse a percentage of the session cost.)
What is the process for submitting claims? (Ask if they require a fax number, mailing address, or online submission.)
How Out-of-Network Billing Works
If using OON benefits, you will pay the full session fee at the time of service.
We will provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.
What is a Superbill?
A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes the necessary information for insurance reimbursement. You submit this directly to your insurance provider.
Key Takeaways
✔ Always check your specific plan’s details—every insurance provider is different.
✔ If you have Out-of-Network benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement.
✔ We are happy to provide a superbill to help with reimbursement, but clients are responsible for submitting claims.