Pomona College Student Health Insurance for Therapy

Pomona College encourages all students to live healthy lives, which is why they require all students to enroll in its Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) if they don’t already have health insurance. SHIP is managed by Aetna, and through SHIP, students can get access to mental health benefits, including therapy services.

Does the Pomona College Student Health Insurance cover therapy?

Yes, Pomona College SHIP provides coverage for therapy services. There are a few options for students who want to apply SHIP to their therapy costs, all of which include working with a licensed practitioner for lower out-of-pocket costs. These options include accessing the Student Assistance Program (SAP), which is a service provided through Aetna, and 7C Health, which is a virtual care platform.

Outside of using SHIP, the Pomona College Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services office provides free counseling services — however, these sessions are limited to 12 sessions per year, making it a short term solution.

How do I check if my Pomona College Student Health Insurance plan covers therapy?

Pomona College SHIP’s benefits are listed in their Benefits Summary document, which you can find through the Gallagher Student Resource website, which houses different Aetna plan information, or on the Pomona College student health insurance page. This document details out your options for using the plan to cover therapy costs. Look under the “Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment” category, where you’ll find “Outpatient office visits (includes telemedicine consultations).” Here, you’ll see what your mental health benefits are, differentiated between in-network and out-of-network providers.

How much does therapy cost with the Pomona College Student Health Insurance?

If you work with a therapist through SAP, you’ll receive three free sessions, then you’ll need to use your insurance plan to cover subsequent visits. When using SHIP to continue working with a SAP or if you begin working with an off-campus therapist, you’ll be responsible for a $20 copay. This means that you’ll pay $20 out-of-pocket each time you meet with your therapist. However, Pomona College will cover your copayment up to 10 sessions.

You can also work with a therapist through 7C Health, you won’t need to pay anything — making it a highly cost-effective way to work with a therapist towards your mental health goals.

What types of mental health conditions does the Pomona College Student Health Insurance cover?

Pomona College supports students’ mental health, no matter what’s happening in their lives. Students can access many of the therapy services offered across campus for any reason, whether that’s feeling burnt out, social anxiety, relationship issues, or even missing home.

However, when working with an off-campus therapist and using SHIP, you’ll need to receive a mental health diagnosis from your therapist to use your SHIP benefits. Your diagnosis might be:

There are many more reimbursable mental health conditions, however having a diagnosis is essential for using insurance benefits, as this is what Aetna uses to track your progress to ensure appropriate care.

What types of therapy does the Pomona College Student Health Insurance cover?

SHIP covers many different types of therapy, including short term and long term interventions. Your therapist needs to be a licensed professional — they must have the necessary education and credentials to practice — and they must provide evidence-based, clinically rigorous therapy services that relate to your specific diagnosis.

Some examples of commonly used therapy approaches include:

What types of therapy does the Pomona College Student Health Insurance NOT cover?

SHIP will not provide coverage for alternative therapies like aromatherapy, naturopathic medicine, herbal remedies, homeopathy, or energy medicine like reiki healing. SHIP also excludes Christian-based therapy, Ayurvedic medicine, yoga, hypnotherapy, or traditional Chinese medicine.

In general, life coaching is excluded from insurance benefits — however, you can access life coaching through SAP or 7C Health if you’re looking for this type of support.

Does the Pomona College Student Health Insurance cover online therapy?

Yes, SHIP offers coverage for online therapy, even when your therapist is off campus. SAP and 7C Health are also online, which makes it easier for you to fit therapy into your busy schedule.

If you’re working with an in-network therapist through SHIP, you’ll still pay the same copay if you see them online rather than in-person.

Does the Pomona College Student Health Insurance cover couples therapy?

No, SHIP does not provide coverage for couples therapy. However, you may be able to attend sessions with your partner or partners through Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services, though this is through a case-by-case basis. This means that you can work through challenges together with the support of an experienced therapist if you need to, particularly if your relationship conflicts are impacting your overall wellbeing.

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

No, SHIP is an EPO, which means that you do not need to see your primary doctor before starting therapy. When using SAP and 7C Health options for seeing a therapist, you also do not need a referral. However, if you want to access Pomona College’s copay reimbursement program, you will need to attain a referral before you start working with your therapist.