Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover therapy?

Yes. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans cover mental health care, including therapy, psychiatry and medication. But "Blue Cross Blue Shield" isn't one company: it's 33 independent, locally run companies, such as Anthem, Florida Blue, Highmark or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Together they cover about one in three Americans. Your coverage, costs and provider directory come from your local Blue company and your specific plan.

What does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover for mental health?

Most BCBS medical plans include:

• Therapy with licensed counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists and psychologists
• Psychiatry: evaluations and medication management
• Prescription medications through your plan's drug list
• Higher levels of care such as intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization and inpatient programs
• TMS and Spravato for treatment-resistant depression when you meet your Blue company's medical criteria, usually with prior authorization

Some Blue companies manage behavioral health themselves, and others work with a behavioral health partner. Either way, the phone number for mental health benefits is on your member ID card.

How do I find a BCBS therapist or psychiatrist?

• Start with your own Blue company: the company name is on your ID card. Log in to its website or app to search providers who are in-network for your plan.
• Use the national search for care away from home: bcbs.com's provider finder searches Blue networks across the country. Through the BlueCard program, many Blue members can see in-network providers in other states.
• Check the plan name, not just "BCBS": a provider can take one Blue plan (for example, a PPO) but not another (for example, an HMO or Marketplace plan). When you call an office, give your exact plan name from your card.

Blue companies have been growing their mental health networks: the number of behavioral health providers in Blue networks rose 55% between 2019 and 2023, to more than 450,000.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover online therapy?

Most BCBS plans cover video visits with in-network therapists and psychiatrists, and many Blue companies also partner with virtual care services. Check your Blue company's website or member services for options and costs.

How much does therapy cost with BCBS?

It depends on your plan's copay, coinsurance and deductible. With a copay plan you pay a set amount per visit; with a deductible plan you may pay the negotiated rate until you meet the deductible. In-network providers cost much less. See how much does therapy cost for typical prices.

Does BCBS cover out-of-network therapy?

PPO plans often include out-of-network benefits: you pay the therapist and submit a claim with an itemized receipt for partial reimbursement, usually after a separate out-of-network deductible. HMO and EPO plans generally only cover in-network care except in emergencies.