If you’re considering therapy and wondering how insurance fits into the process—or whether it needs to—this post outlines your options, from private pay to out-of-network reimbursement and tools like Thrizer, as they apply in my practice.
Private Pay – More Autonomy, More Privacy
Private pay offers more autonomy, flexibility, and privacy—no diagnosis is required, and nothing is shared with your insurance provider. Many clients choose this path because it feels cleaner and more aligned with how they want to engage in therapy.
What are Out-of-Network (OON) Benefits?
Some insurance plans offer partial reimbursement when you see a provider who is not in-network. This means you pay the therapist directly (private pay), then request reimbursement from your insurance company after the fact.
The process varies by provider, but typically involves the client submitting documentation—often monthly—to their insurance provider.
What’s a Superbill?
A superbill is a detailed receipt your therapist can provide. It includes the session date, provider credentials, diagnosis code, and procedure code (CPT)—the information insurance companies need to consider your reimbursement claim.
If you’re hoping to use OON benefits, I can provide superbills upon request.
Keep in mind: insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis for any reimbursement, and your sessions may be subject to review.
What About In-Network Therapy?
If you’re hoping to use your insurance benefits directly, you can choose to work with an in-network therapist. In-network providers have agreements with your insurance company to offer services at a contracted rate, and they bill insurance directly on your behalf.
That said, many clients—even with in-network therapists—still pay the full session fee out-of-pocket for a time due to plan deductibles. This NPR article highlights the limitations many people face when trying to access therapy through insurance.
It can be worth checking with your insurance provider to understand how much is covered, what your deductible is, and whether you’ll owe a copay or full fee for both in-network and out-of-network options.
To find in-network therapists, you can log in to your insurance member portal or search directories like TherapyDen, Inclusive Therapists, or Psychology Today using the insurance filter. If using in-network benefits is your priority, this is a good place to begin.
What is Thrizer?
Thrizer is a third-party payment tool that helps you use your OON benefits without having to navigate the paperwork yourself.
Instead of paying the full session fee and waiting several weeks—or even months—for reimbursement, Thrizer allows you to:
- Pay only what your estimated co-insurance would be
- Have them submit the claim directly
- Let them handle the follow-up and paperwork
Some clients appreciate the simplicity this brings, especially if they want to make use of their benefits without managing the back end of it themselves.
I partner with Thrizer to make this option available for clients who want to use their out-of-network benefits more easily. I receive no compensation or incentive for referrals—this is simply one tool that some clients find helpful. For more information on Thrizer, you can visit thrizer.com.
Final Thoughts
You’re in charge of how you choose to engage with therapy and whether or not to involve your insurance provider. This post is here to support that decision-making process, and I trust you to choose what works best for you.
If you’d like to explore working together, you’re welcome to reach out for a free consult.
