Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island for Therapy

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island leverages Blue Cross Blue Shield’s massive provider network and insurance capabilities to offer individuals comprehensive and accessible healthcare services, including mental health services like therapy.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island cover therapy?

Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island provides coverage for therapy. Many people receive their Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island insurance plan through their workplace, though others sign up for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island independently or receive benefits through family members. Because of this, there are many plans available through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and your coverage for therapy will vary based on your specific plan.

Overall, however, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island insurance makes therapy less expensive and therefore more accessible, lightening the load on your budget by decreasing out-of-pocket costs. This is especially true when you work with a therapist who is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island.

How do I check if my Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island plan covers therapy?

To check if your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island plan covers therapy or mental health services, refer to your Summary of Benefits document. This is a document that shows the amount of insurance benefits you receive per service and by in-network and out-of-network providers. You can learn how much you’ll pay out-of-pocket for your therapy when you look under “If you need mental health, behavioral health, or substance abuse services” and then “Outpatient services.” You might find this document within your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island member portal.

If you receive your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island plan through your employer, ask your HR department for your Summary of Benefits document. Otherwise, you can call the number on the back of your insurance card and request more information on your benefits.

How much does therapy cost with my Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island plan?

Depending on the insurance plan that you have with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, you might pay anywhere between $0-100 per session with your therapist. Some plans offer full coverage of therapy costs when you work with an in-network provider. Others require copays of $15-40 or a coinsurance of 20-40%, which is a cost that you’ll need to pay each session you have with your therapist.

What types of mental health conditions does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island cover?

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island believes that mental health is a large component of overall well-being, so they encourage their members to work with a mental health professional for a wide range of mental health conditions. This could include:

There are many more mental health conditions eligible for coverage under your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island plan, though your therapist will need to provide Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island with a diagnosis for your case. If you would rather not receive a diagnosis from your therapist, you can privately pay for your sessions — which is an expensive option but means that you can work with your therapist without worrying about a diagnosis.

What types of therapy does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island cover?

For your therapy sessions with your therapist to be covered by your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island plan, your therapist must be a credentialed mental health professional. They might be a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, licensed professional counselor, nurse practitioner, and any other licensed mental health profession. You must also receive a type of therapy that’s rooted in research and evidence towards its efficacy.

This could include the following therapy modalities:

Your therapist might offer “integrative” or “eclectic” therapy, which means that they blend therapy modalities for comprehensive, individualized sessions.

What types of therapy does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island NOT cover?

If your therapist solely uses a therapy modality that does not have research backing its efficacy, then Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island might not pay for your sessions. This includes life coaching or career counseling, as well as holistic remedies like acupuncture, aromatherapy, or reiki healing. This is not to say that these approaches to improving mental health aren’t helpful, however they lack the scientific rigor that is required for insurance coverage.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island cover online therapy?

Yes, you can use your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island therapy coverage for online sessions. You’ll pay just as much for online sessions as you would for in-person sessions, maintaining the same copay.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island also offers its members access to Doctors Online, their app for tele-health and teletherapy. Through this app, members can meet with doctors around the clock and at all times. This includes therapists and psychiatrists.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island cover couples therapy?

No, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island does not cover couples therapy. This is typical of many major health insurance plans — it’s not typical for insurance plans to offer benefits for couples therapy.

If you’re still interested in attending couples therapy, there are other options. If you receive your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island plan through your employer, you might be able to use Employment Assistance Program sessions to engage a couples therapist.

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

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island offers many different types of plans, including HMOs, PPOs, HDHPs, and POSs. Whether you need a referral from your primary doctor will depend on your specific plan.

However, with access to Doctors Online, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island plan members have quick and convenient access to primary care doctors, making it easy to receive a referral for mental health services.