Finding Therapists and Counselors That Take Anthem Blue Cross Insurance

Finding Therapists That Accept Anthem Blue Cross Insurance

Anthem Blue Cross is one of the largest health insurance providers in the nation. If you have Anthem insurance and are looking for a therapist, you'll be glad to know many mental health professionals accept Anthem policies. With a combination of in-network providers and out-of-network reimbursement, you can find therapists covered under your Anthem Blue Cross plan.

Using Your Anthem Insurance for Therapy

Most Anthem plans provide coverage for mental health services like individual counseling, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. To maximize your benefits, look for an in-network provider that is contracted with Anthem Blue Cross. This allows you to pay lower copays and receive higher reimbursement.

Anthem publishes a provider directory you can search to find in-network therapists and mental health professionals near you. Narrow your search by location, specialty, gender, languages spoken, and more to find a good fit.

Seeing an Out-of-Network Therapist

You can also see a therapist who is not in Anthem's network, but your benefits will be lower. Most plans reimburse a percentage of the cost for out-of-network providers after you meet a deductible. You may need to pay your therapist upfront and then submit a claim to Anthem for partial reimbursement.

Before your first visit, always call Anthem customer service to understand how much therapy with an out-of-network provider will cost you. Get clear details on reimbursement rates, copays, and deductibles.

Online Therapy Options with Anthem

Many psychologists, counselors, and therapists now offer virtual online therapy sessions via video chat. Some online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, Amwell, and MDLive have providers that take Anthem insurance. Online therapy counts as an office visit, so your Anthem plan's copays and coverage details for in-office therapy still apply.

Online therapy can be a more convenient and accessible option for busy schedules or those who don't live near an in-network provider. Make sure to clarify costs for online therapy before starting sessions.

Types of Therapists Covered by Anthem

Anthem insurance plans typically cover sessions with:

• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Licensed professional counselors
• Licensed clinical social workers
• Marriage and family therapists

Some plans may require you to get a referral or pre-authorization from your primary care doctor first. Call Anthem customer service to understandReferral and pre-authorization specifics for mental health services.

Finding Affordable Therapy with Anthem Insurance

The cost of therapy with Anthem insurance depends on your plan type, deductible, copays, and reimbursement rate for in-network vs out-of-network providers. Here are some tips for keeping therapy affordable with Anthem Blue Cross coverage.

Look for Sliding Scale Therapists

Some therapists offer sliding scale fees, charging based on your income level. This allows people with lower incomes to access counseling at discounted rates. Looking for sliding scale therapists is a great option if your insurance has high deductibles or copays.

Use Psychology Today's therapist directory and filter by "sliding scale" to find therapists in your area who offer flexible pricing based on what you can afford.

Join Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions tend to cost much less than individual counseling. Talking through challenges in a small group setting led by a therapist can provide immense relief, insight and support. Look for group therapy options covered by your Anthem plan to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

Consider a Therapy Intern

Working with an intern therapist in training costs much less than seeing a fully licensed mental health professional. The sessions provide the same supportive guidance and empathy, under the supervision of a senior therapist. Many clinics and community health centers offer affordable therapy with interns.

Take Advantage of Copay Accumulators

Some Anthem plans include features like copay accumulators that lower your copay once you hit a certain number of therapy sessions for the year. The more sessions you go to, the lower the copay. Ask your Anthem plan administrator about copay reducer benefits.

Use Your HSA or FSA

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use pre-tax dollars from these accounts to help cover therapy copays, coinsurance, or deductibles. This helps offset the cost of mental health services each year.

Types of Therapy Covered by Anthem

Anthem insurance plans typically cover a wide range of therapeutic approaches provided by licensed mental health professionals. Here are some of the common therapy types covered:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on exploring how thoughts, beliefs and attitudes influence emotions and behaviors. CBT helps clients modify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to improve functioning.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches clients how to regulate emotions, manage distress, improve relationships, and cope adaptively using mindfulness, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy helps clients gain insight into subconscious beliefs, emotional patterns, and motivations developed in early childhood that drive behaviors in the present. This insight leads to positive change.

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapy aims to help people reach their full potential by increasing self-awareness, taking responsibility for choices, finding meaning, and connecting more deeply with oneself and others.

Integrative Therapy

Integrative therapy combines multiple therapeutic approaches tailored to each client's needs. For example, integrative therapists may blend CBT, psychodynamic, humanistic and attachment-based therapies.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

EMDR helps process distressing memories that contribute to conditions like PTSD and anxiety. Bilateral stimulation like eye movements is used to activate the brain's natural healing processes.

Couples Counseling

Couples counseling facilitates understanding, communication, intimacy and conflict resolution between romantic partners. It provides a safe space for couples to explore difficulties and improve their connection.

Family Therapy

Family therapy helps family members understand and appreciate one another's experiences and needs. It equips families with skills to communicate openly, set boundaries, and function in a healthier way.

Group Therapy

Group therapy allows clients to share experiences, feel less alone and isolated, and benefit from the compassion and support of others going through similar struggles.

Common Conditions Treated by Therapists

Therapists have expertise treating a wide spectrum of mental health conditions and life challenges. Here are some common reasons people seek therapy that Anthem insurance plans typically cover:

Depression

Depression therapy helps clients understand negative thought patterns, build coping strategies, process difficult emotions, and regain enjoyment in life during depressive episodes.

Anxiety

Therapists teach anxiety management skills like deep breathing, grounding, and restructuring worried thoughts to control anxiety and panic symptoms.

PTSD

PTSD therapy integrates trauma-focused techniques like EMDR to process and integrate painful memories and distorted beliefs stemming from trauma.

Bipolar Disorder

Counseling helps clients with bipolar disorder better adhere to medication regimens, identify triggers, stabilize moods between extremes, and manage periods of mania or depression.

Eating Disorders

Therapists treat eating disorders by identifying underlying emotional issues, reversing disordered thoughts about body image, and establishing normal eating habits.

Substance Abuse

Counseling is critical for identifying triggers, managing cravings, preventing relapse, and creating a recovery-oriented lifestyle in substance abuse treatment.

Grief

Grief counseling provides support in processing painful emotions and adjusting to life after losing a loved one. Therapists help identify constructive coping strategies.

Life Transitions

Examples include therapy for job stress, divorce, empty nesting, retirement adjustment, career changes, and other life transitions.

Self-Esteem

Therapists help build healthy self-esteem by identifying self-limiting beliefs, cultivating self-compassion, setting boundaries, and embracing strengths and worth.

Finding the Right Therapist for You

With many options for therapy under Anthem Blue Cross insurance, how do you choose the right provider? Here are tips for finding a good fit:

Identify Your Preferences

Consider whether you prefer a certain therapy approach, treatment modality, gender, age range, or clinical focus. This will narrow your search.

Check Credentials

Look for therapists with a current license who specialize in treating your condition and use evidenced-based therapies.

Learn About Their Style

Browse therapist profiles to get a feel for their personality, values, and practice style before scheduling a consultation.

Schedule a Consultation

Many therapists offer free 20-30 minute consultations for you to experience their approach before committing. This is the best way to gauge compatibility.

Pay Attention to Your Gut

Your instinctive gut reaction during the consultation is very telling. Do you feel comfortable, understood and optimistic about this therapist?

Don't Settle

It may take meeting 2-3 therapists to find the right match. Don't settle for someone you don't fully trust and connect with.

Taking the time to find an in-network therapist that fits your needs and style can make all the difference in your counseling experience. Use your Anthem behavioral health benefits to access care that improves mental wellbeing.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.