What Therapy Will Cost You

Paying for Therapy

One of the most common reasons people delay starting therapy is uncertainty about cost. We want to make that part as simple and transparent as possible.

At Thrive Counseling for Healing and Connection we accept most major insurance plans — which means for many clients the cost of therapy is limited to their copay, coinsurance, or deductible. It’s important to check with your insurance to check on any deductibles and/or copays with your specific plan.

Insurance Plans We Accept

Thrive Counseling for Healing and Connection is in-network with the following insurance plans:

• Anthem / BlueCross BlueShield

• Aetna

• UnitedHealthcare / Optum

• * Medicare — accepted by some of our clinicians. See the Medicare section below, as availability depends on which clinician you're matched with.

• Most Virginia Medicaid plans — including Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Optima Health, and Sentara Medicaid. Note: We do not accept Aetna Medicaid.

• Cigna — out of network only; superbills available for possible reimbursement

• Tricare — out of network only; superbills available for possible reimbursement

If your plan is not listed reach out and we will do our best to help you understand your options

A Note About Medicare

Medicare works differently than other plans, and we want to be upfront about it rather than have you find out at intake.

Only some of our clinicians participate in Medicare. Others have formally opted out, which is a decision each provider makes individually. What that means for you depends on which clinician you're matched with.

If you're matched with a clinician who participates in Medicare, your sessions are billed to Medicare like any other insurance.

If you're matched with a clinician who has opted out, Medicare will not pay for those sessions and cannot reimburse you for them. You would sign a private contract acknowledging this, and pay our private rate. Superbills are not available for these sessions — Medicare does not accept them from opted-out providers.

There's one more piece worth knowing. Our supervisees and residents cannot bill Medicare independently. If their supervisor participates in Medicare, the supervisee cannot see Medicare clients at all. If their supervisor has opted out, the supervisee may see Medicare clients on a private-pay basis, with the same private contract.

We know this is confusing. When you reach out, tell us you have Medicare and our intake team will sort out which clinicians are available to you before anything is scheduled. You won't be matched with someone who turns out not to be an option.

Couples and Family Therapy at We Thrive Together

Couples therapy, marriage counseling, family therapy, groups, and intensive services are provided through our sister practice, We Thrive Together, on a private pay basis.

That's a deliberate choice. Relational work often needs longer sessions, two clinicians in the room, or an intensive format — none of which fits neatly into what insurance will authorize. Working outside insurance lets our couples and family clinicians shape the work around what the relationship actually needs rather than what a plan will approve.

Many clients use out-of-network benefits, and superbills are available on request. Health savings and flexible spending accounts can typically be used as well.

Fee information for We Thrive Together is available on request or at www.we-thrive-together.com.

What Does Insurance Cover?

Most insurance plans cover individual therapy sessions when provided by a licensed clinician. Coverage typically includes:

• Individual therapy for adults

• Individual therapy for teens and children

• Telehealth therapy sessions

• Trauma-informed therapy and EMDR

• Anxiety treatment and life transitions counseling

• Chronic illness and medical trauma support

Coverage varies by plan. Your specific benefits — including your copay, deductible, and number of covered sessions — depend on your individual policy. We recommend contacting your insurance provider before your first session to ask specifically about your mental health outpatient benefits.

Clients Without Insurance or With Out-of-Network Benefits

If you do not have insurance or your plan is not one we accept — self-pay options are available. Fee information is provided upon scheduling or upon request in accordance with the No Surprises Act.

If you have out-of-network benefits through Cigna, Tricare, or another plan we do not accept in-network — we can provide a superbill after each session that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. The amount reimbursed depends on your specific out-of-network benefits.

The No Surprises Act

In accordance with the No Surprises Act you have the right to receive a good faith estimate of expected charges before beginning services. A good faith estimate is available upon scheduling or upon request at any time. If you have questions about this please reach out to our intake team at info@heal-connect-thrive.com or (540) 371-0328.

How to Verify Your Benefits

Not sure what your insurance covers? Here are the steps:

1. Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card

2. Ask specifically about outpatient mental health benefits

3. Ask whether telehealth sessions are covered at the same rate as in-person

4. Ask about your copay, coinsurance, and deductible for mental health services

5. Ask whether there is a limit on the number of sessions covered per year

Our intake team is also happy to help walk you through this process when you reach out.

Ready to Get Started?

Once you connect with us our intake team will review your insurance information and help clarify your coverage before your first session. You won't be left guessing about cost.

Connect with us to get started. Still have questions? Reach out here.