Does UnitedHealthcare cover therapy?

Yes. UnitedHealthcare (UHC) plans cover mental health care, including therapy, psychiatry and medication. For many UHC plans, mental health benefits are managed by Optum, UnitedHealthcare's sister company, so you may search for providers or get claims under the Optum name. Your costs depend on your plan, and your plan may set limits such as prior authorization for certain treatments.

What does UnitedHealthcare cover for mental health?

Most UHC 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 care
• TMS and Spravato for treatment-resistant depression when you meet UHC's medical criteria, with prior authorization

UHC notes that coverage can include limits on out-of-network providers, the number of therapy sessions, days of inpatient care and prior authorization, depending on your plan. Your summary of benefits, in your member account, lists yours.

How do I find a UnitedHealthcare therapist or psychiatrist?

• Your member account or the UnitedHealthcare app: search for in-network behavioral health providers that match your plan.
• liveandworkwell.com: for many UHC plans, Optum's member site is where you search mental health providers, filter by specialty, and find those offering video visits.
• Your primary care provider: a good starting point; they can screen for common conditions, start some medications and refer you to a specialist.
• The behavioral health number on your member ID card, for help with benefits and finding providers.

What is Optum Behavioral Health?

Optum is UnitedHealthcare's sister company (both are part of UnitedHealth Group), and Optum Behavioral Health manages mental health and substance use benefits for many UnitedHealthcare plans. If your plan uses it, you'll see Optum's name on the behavioral health number on your card, on claims, or on letters about prior authorization. Your coverage itself is still your UnitedHealthcare plan's, so the costs and rules in your summary of benefits apply.

For members, the practical difference is where you look for care: many UHC plans send you to Optum's member site, liveandworkwell.com, to search in-network therapists and psychiatrists and to see which ones offer video visits. Some employers also offer an Optum Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with a few free counseling sessions; check with your HR team.

Does UnitedHealthcare cover online therapy?

Most UHC plans cover video visits with in-network therapists and psychiatrists, and UHC's network includes a large number of virtual providers. Check your plan for your virtual visit cost.

How much does therapy cost with UnitedHealthcare?

It depends on your plan's copay, coinsurance and deductible. With a copay plan you pay a set amount per visit. With a high-deductible plan you pay the negotiated rate until you meet the deductible. In-network care costs much less than out-of-network. See how much does therapy cost for typical prices.

Does UnitedHealthcare cover out-of-network therapy?

Some UHC plans, often PPO or Choice Plus plans, include out-of-network benefits: you pay the therapist, then submit a claim with an itemized receipt to be partly reimbursed. HMO and many exclusive provider plans only cover in-network care except in emergencies.

What about UHC Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans?

UnitedHealthcare also runs Medicare Advantage plans and Community Plan (Medicaid) plans in many states. These cover mental health too, but with their own networks, costs and rules. See the Medicare and Medicaid guides for how those programs work.