Providence College Student Health Insurance for Therapy
Providence College guides students through academic, faith, and personal growth. Physical and emotional health makes a large part of this growth possible, which is one reason why Providence College requires all students to enroll in their Providence College student health insurance plan. This health insurance plan was created in partnership with Wellfleet, a health insurance company run by Consolidated Health Plans (CHP) and uses the Cigna PPO network. Under this plan, students have access to many mental health benefits — including therapy!
Does the Providence College student health insurance cover therapy?
Yes, the Providence College student health insurance plan provides coverage for therapy services. Providence College values students’ mental and emotional health and that’s why they emphasize its accessibility.
Students enrolled in the Providence College student health insurance plan can see an in-network or an out-of-network therapist for mental health services. This plan uses the Cigna PPO provider network.
Preauthorization is required for all therapy coverage. This means that the student must submit a request for mental health benefits. Wellfleet will then provide the student with an allotted number of therapy sessions for which they’ll reimburse.
How do I check if my Providence College student health insurance plan covers therapy?
To check if your Providence College student health plan covers therapy services, look at your Summary and Benefits document. Here you’ll find a cost for each type of service, including therapy. This document lists out all of your copayment or coinsurance rates. To learn more about your therapy coverage, find the “outpatient mental health” or “substance abuse treatment” section, where you’ll find your coverage for outpatient services. You may need to refer to the Specialist outpatient rates to determine your copayment or coinsurance rates.
If you cannot find this information through your Summary and Benefits document, try calling the phone number on the back of your insurance card where the customer service department will share with you the coverage available to you through your specific university’s plan.
How much does therapy cost with Providence College student health insurance?
Therapy with the Providence College student health insurance will cost a $20 copayment each session you have with your in-network therapist. For therapy sessions with an out-of-network therapist, you’ll pay a $20 copayment and then a 30% coinsurance rate. This coinsurance rate is based on your therapist’s session fees (if they charge $100 per session, you’ll be responsible for $30 each session).
Preauthorization is required for coverage, so be sure to make this request as soon as you start thinking about working with a therapist.
This cost may change across school years. To find the most accurate information on therapy costs, refer to your specific plan’s Summary and Benefits document.
What types of mental health conditions does the Providence College student health insurance cover?
The Providence College student health plan covers many mental health conditions, including those that are common in the student population. Wellfleet requires that each client receives a diagnosis from their therapist for reimbursement purposes. This diagnosis guides treatment and insurance coverage.
Examples of eligible mental health conditions include:
There are many more diagnosable — and reimbursable — mental health conditions, all of which the Providence College student health plan covers.
What types of therapy does the Providence College student health insurance cover?
The Providence College student health insurance covers many different types of therapy provided by credentialed professional therapists. As long as your therapist provides an evidence-based, clinically rigorous therapy modality that is appropriate for the given diagnosis, you’ll receive coverage.
These evidence-based therapy modalities include, but are not limited to:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness practices
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Often therapists blend their therapy approaches. As long as they meet Wellfleet’s requirements, their services are eligible for reimbursement.
What types of therapy does the Providence College student health insurance NOT cover?
The Providence College student health insurance only provides coverage for therapy costs associated with services that are evidence-based. This means that all treatment modality needs to have empirical research backing its efficacy.
The Providence College student health plan does not cover life coaching and career coaching, as these disciplines are less based on evidence and are more reliant on goal-setting and achievement outcomes. There is also no coverage for holistic approaches to treatment like aromatherapy, massage therapy, reiki healing, or nutritional therapy. They also do not cover ketamine, psychedelic, or hypnosis treatments, even if the purpose of this treatment is for a mental health condition.
Does the Providence College student health insurance cover online therapy?
Yes, the Providence College student health plan offers coverage for online therapy. This opens the doors for many clients who aren’t able to physically attend therapy sessions each week, whether for a physical limitation or because of the constraints of a busy student schedule.
If you see an in-network therapist, your costs will remain the same whether you see your therapist in-person or online. However, to access teletherapy with an out-of-network therapist, you’ll have a 20% coinsurance each session.
Does the Providence College student health insurance cover couples therapy?
No, the Providence College student health plan does not provide coverage for couples therapy. Often, health insurance companies do not have mental health benefits for couples because of the lack of a reimbursable diagnosis, so it is not uncommon for this health insurance plan to deem couples therapy ineligible.
However, you can find couples therapy services through Providence College’s Personal Counseling Center. There are also ways to access affordable couples therapy that doesn’t require health insurance coverage.
Do I need to see my primary doctor before starting therapy?
No, you do not need to see your primary care physician before starting your search for an excellent therapist. This is because the Providence College student health plan is a PPO, meaning you do not need a referral for specialist services. You do, however, need pre authorization. Once you have this in your hand, you’re ready to start your search for a therapist that’s a great fit for you!