Nippon Life Benefits for Therapy

Nippon Life Benefits is an insurance company with roots in a Japanese-based company called Nippon Life Insurance Company. They offer American companies health insurance benefits, including benefits for doctor’s visits, dental, and mental health services like therapy.

Does Nippon Life Benefits cover therapy?

Yes, most Nippon Life Benefits plans cover therapy services, offering at least some benefits for therapy sessions. The amount of these benefits, however, depends on the specific plan that you hold, which is determined by your employer.

Nippon Life Benefits also offers Employer Access Program (EAP) services. If your employer purchases a Nippon Life Benefits plan that includes EAP services, you may receive limited counseling services in addition to any insurance benefits offered by your Nippon Life Benefits plan.

How do I check if my Nippon Life Benefits plan covers therapy?

To check if your Nippon Life Benefits plan covers therapy, locate your Summary of Benefits document. This document tells you how much your insurance plan will cover you for specific services. If you look under the category “If you need mental health, behavioral health, or substance abuse services,” you can find your benefits for therapy services.

To find this document, you can log into your Nippon Life Benefits plan or check with your HR team to see if they have a copy for you to read through. Your HR team will have information on the type of plan offered by your employer and can help you determine how much coverage your plan offers when it comes to accessing mental health care.

You can also give Nippon Life Benefits’ customer services hotline a call to ask about how your specific plan covers therapy and what you would be responsible for should you use your Nippon Life Benefits plan benefits.

How much does therapy cost with my Nippon Life Benefits plan?

There are many different plans offered through Nippon Life Benefits, so be sure to check what your plan covers when it comes to therapy for a better idea of how much therapy costs. However, you can expect to pay around a $20 copay per session with a preferred provider and around a 50% coinsurance with a non-preferred provider. In general, it’s most cost effective to work with a preferred provider or an in-network provider — this means that your therapist will be someone who is aligned with your insurance company, as they have an agreement in place for session fees and reimbursement rates.

If you’re accessing Nippon Life Benefits’ EAP services, you won’t need to pay for these sessions, as they are part of your employer’s benefits offering. However, you may be limited to a certain number of sessions.

What types of mental health conditions does Nippon Life Benefits cover?

Nippon Life Benefits offers coverage for a wide range of mental health challenges and mental health disorders, including:

To be eligible to use your Nippon Life Benefits coverage when working with a therapist to treat the above, you will need to receive a diagnosis. This helps Nippon Life Benefits keep track of your claims, as you’ll receive a diagnostic code on all of your bills. If you would prefer not to receive a diagnosis, ask your therapist to withhold this information from you. You might also consider not using your Nippon Life Benefits insurance for therapy, if receiving a diagnosis is detrimental to your mental health.

What types of therapy does Nippon Life Benefits cover?

Based on the diagnostic code provided on your insurance claims by your therapist, Nippon Life Benefits requires that your therapist provide you with an appropriate therapy type.

There are many different types of therapy, all with their own specific benefits. The approaches that are eligible for coverage through Nippon Life Benefits have scientific evidence pointing towards clinical rigor. Here are a few of the many types of therapy that are deemed clinically rigorous and effective:

What types of therapy does Nippon Life Benefits NOT cover?

As stated above, the types of therapy that are eligible for coverage through your Nippon Life Benefits plan must have scientific evidence that points towards its efficacy. There are many other ways that you can improve your mental health, however not all of them are included in your insurance benefits. This includes treatments like reiki work, massage therapy, or life coaching.

While these types of treatment can be beneficial for your wellbeing, they lack the required clinical rigor that would make them eligible for coverage with an insurance company.

Does Nippon Life Benefits cover online therapy?

Yes, Nippon Life Benefits covers online therapy. When you see your therapist online rather than in person, you’ll receive the same amount of coverage. This means the same copay and the same coinsurance rates.

Nippon Life Benefits offers many of its customers a service called Teledoc, which is a way to connect with a health professional no matter the time of day and no matter your location. While you won’t be able to see a therapist regularly through Teledoc, you can use this service to connect with other medical professionals that can help you on your journey towards wellbeing.

Does Nippon Life Benefits cover couples therapy?

No, Nippon Life Benefits plans do not offer coverage for couples therapy. As Nippon Life Benefits is an insurance benefit offered by your employer, it focuses mainly on the employee’s health based on a specific diagnosis. In couples therapy, it’s challenging to receive a diagnosis, making it difficult for Nippon Life Benefits to track your treatment.

However, depending on the situation, you might be able to access couples sessions through the Nippon Life Benefits EAP service. EAP services often offer family-based counseling, which can include couples counseling. However, this is not a long-term solution, as you’ll only be able to access a limited number of sessions.

Do I need to see my primary doctor before starting therapy?

No, you will not need to see your primary doctor before starting therapy when using your Nippon Life Benefits plan for coverage. This is because Nippon Life Benefits plans are PPO, meaning that you can see a specialist without needing a referral from your primary doctor.