If you accept insurance, many variables can impact the cost of therapy for your clients. Encourage clients to contact their insurance provider about the exact out-of-pocket cost for therapy sessions to avoid surprises. To ensure consistency and build trust with clients, Headway is up front about costs, providing a cost estimate based on someone’s insurance plan and the provider’s typical services.
Insurance coverage
Whether a client has insurance, and whether you’re in-network for their specific plan, is one of the most important variables determining the cost of therapy. Headway helps clients understand if their insurance covers therapy.
Location
The cost of behavioral health services can vary depending on a person’s geographic location. For example, psychotherapy may be more expensive or inexpensive in one state versus another. Therapist availability can influence market rates, and so can local cost of living.
Therapist credentials
A therapist’s educational background and degree can also influence the cost of psychotherapy. Therapy may cost more with higher-paid professions, such as psychiatrists or nurse practitioners. PhD or PsyD therapists may also be reimbursed more than MA-level therapists, resulting in a greater out-of-pocket cost for clients.
Specialized therapy costs
Therapy modality can play a role in the cost of services, too. Providers with advanced training may be able to bill insurance at higher rates, resulting in a higher cost for clients. Some types of therapy may require longer or more frequent sessions, which can further increase therapy costs.
Session length
Session length is another factor that contributes to reimbursement rates — generally, if you see a client for a longer period of time, you’ll get paid more. As a result, the client may end up paying more for a 75-minute session than for a shorter 50-minute session.
Online or in-person
Finally, whether you conduct therapy online or in person can play a role in the cost of sessions. Rates ultimately depend on a client’s plan, but they’re typically similar for both formats. Because the pandemic expanded access to online care, many payers now reimburse telehealth at the same rate as in-person care.
