University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan for Therapy

Similar to other academic centers around the country, the University of Texas at Austin requires all full-time students to enroll in a comprehensive health insurance plan. While many students remain on their parents’ or families’ plans, others enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan, which is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan.

Does University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan cover therapy?

Yes, the University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan covers mental health services including therapy. The University of Texas at Austin also provides all students with access to Academic Live Care, an online platform for teletherapy with psychiatrists and therapists. Students can also access the Academic Student Assistance Program (ASAP), which is another therapy resource that offers sessions as well as written information about mental health topics. Learn to Live is a program offered through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas that includes coaching, groups, assessments, and webinars on mental health topics.

Students can also see a therapist through the university’s Counseling and Mental Health Center, which offers individual and group counseling sessions, psychiatric evaluation and medication services, and more.

How do I check if my University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance plan covers therapy?

To check if your University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan covers therapy, check for the Summary of Benefits document in your student portal or on the University of Texas at Austin website. Within this document, costs for each service are listed based on whether they’re provided by an in-network or out-of-network provider. This plan utilizes the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas network, an extensive network across the state. When looking for therapy services, check under the line “If you need mental health, behavioral health, or substance abuse services” and then “Outpatient services.”

How much does therapy cost with my University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan?

There are many ways to access free mental health services when you’re a student at the University of Texas at Austin, including through Academic Live Care, ASAP, and Learn to Live program offerings. When accessing therapy through the University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan, individuals will pay a $30 copay per session plus a 20% coinsurance rate when seeing an in-network therapist. For out-of-network therapists, therapy costs are the 40% coinsurance rate, which is 40% of the session fee.

What types of mental health conditions does University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan cover?

University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan covers a wide range of mental health conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following mental health conditions:

When accessing therapy through Academic Live Care, ASAP, and Learn to Live, you will not need a diagnosis to continue working with a therapist. However, when you’re working with a therapist outside of these programs and want to receive coverage through your insurance, you may need to receive a diagnosis from your therapist.

What types of therapy does University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance cover?

Most health insurance companies only provide benefits for therapy approaches that show extensive scientific evidence that points towards their efficacy — that is, that they are proven to be helpful for an individual's well-being. Here are a few examples of such therapy approaches:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mindfulness practices

Many therapists blend or integrate, which is called integrative or eclectic therapy and offers comprehensive treatment. All therapists must be professionally licensed to work with individuals located in Texas.

What types of therapy does University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance NOT cover?

University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan does not provide coverage for therapy approaches that lack clinical rigor. This includes treatments like acupuncture or other holistic therapy approaches like reiki healing or energy work. That is not to say that these therapy approaches aren’t helpful, but they await more research to prove their efficacy across all populations.

Does University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan cover online therapy?

Yes, University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan covers online therapy. This is especially true for the various online program offerings available for students, including Academic Live Care, ASAP, and Learn to Live.

When using the University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan to see a therapist, you’ll pay the same amount for online sessions as you would seeing your therapist in-person. This means the same copay and coinsurance rates.

Does University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan cover couples therapy?

No, couples therapy isn’t eligible for coverage through the University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan. This is often the case with health insurance plans. However, students may benefit from attending group counseling sessions through the Counseling and Mental Health Centre.

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

No, University of Texas at Austin Student Health Insurance Plan does not require you to see your primary doctor before starting a therapy because it is a PPO plan. This means that you do not need a referral to get started with therapy or other mental health services.