Insurance Coverage for Online Therapy Sessions
Are you considering online therapy in the UK but unsure if your private health insurance provider covers it? Millions of people experience mental health issues at some point in their lives. Fortunately, many private medical insurance providers cover the cost of access to mental health services.
Insurance coverage for mental health services, including therapy, has steadily improved in recent years. In the UK, legislation, public awareness, government initiatives, and collaborations between mental health organisations and insurance providers have led to this great outcome.
As more and more of us use video-conferencing for work meetings and socialising, the demand for the convenient and flexible option of online therapy has grown, and many insurance companies have adapted their policies to include coverage.
Therapy through private insurance coverage
If you are considering online therapy and want to know whether your insurance will cover the costs, the first step is to contact your insurance provider.
Contact their customer service department or review your insurance policy for coverage details. When speaking with your insurance company, remember to inquire about coverage that includes online therapy and any requirements or limitations that may specifically apply to your condition or circumstances.
Several factors can influence insurance coverage for online therapy sessions. For instance, some insurance plans may require pre-authorisation or referrals from a primary care physician before approving coverage.
Additionally, the qualifications and credentials of the therapist providing online therapy can impact coverage. Insurance companies often have a network of preferred providers, and if your chosen therapist is outside that network, coverage might not apply here.
What therapists are covered by insurance?
Onebright’s vast network of clinicians covers multiple treatment approaches, and all meet the highest standards relevant to the approach. For example, our Cognitive Behavioural Therapists are all BABCP accredited, which means they have both core professional mental health training or nationally recognised equivalent and specific CBT training. This is the highest standard and is UK-specific.
Onebright works with most major private medical insurance companies in the UK to help tens of thousands of people gain fast, effective, quality mental healthcare.
What mental health conditions will my private medical insurance cover?
Depression: many policies frequently cover the diagnosis and treatment of depression, including therapy sessions.
Anxiety Disorders: Conditions such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias are only a few of the many anxiety disorders that are treated with online therapy.
Eating Disorders: Insurance policies often cover the treatment of eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. This may include individual therapy and family therapy
Substance Abuse and Addiction: Many PMI plans now include coverage for substance abuse and addiction treatment, which may encompass rehabilitation programs, counselling, and detoxification services.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Many insurance policies often cover the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD, including trauma-focused CBT and eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Treatment for OCD, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication.
It is essential to do your due diligence and contact your insurance provider to understand the specifics of your coverage. With the correct information for your specific requirements, you can pursue online therapy and access the support you need. Fill out the form below to talk to someone on the Onebright team about how insurance can cover the cost of therapy for you.
