Does Insurance Cover Therapy in Washington State? (Complete Guide)

Cost is one of the most common reasons people put off therapy — and one of the most common misconceptions. The truth is that most major insurance plans in Washington State are required by law to cover mental health services, including therapy. If you have Premera Blue Cross, Cigna, Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Molina (Medicaid), Coordinated Care, Community Health Plan, WellPoint, TriCare, or UnitedHealthcare, there’s a good chance your sessions are already covered. This guide walks you through exactly what’s included, what to ask, and how to confirm your benefits before your first appointment.

1. Does Insurance Cover Therapy in Washington State?

Yes — in most cases, it does. Under the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and Washington State law, insurance plans that include mental health benefits must cover them at the same level as physical health services. That means your copay for a therapy session should be comparable to what you’d pay for a primary care visit.

Washington is one of the stronger states for mental health coverage mandates. Most employer-sponsored plans, marketplace (ACA) plans, and government-funded plans — including Medicaid (Apple Health) — include behavioral health benefits that cover outpatient therapy: individual sessions, couples counseling, and telehealth.

What is typically covered under mental health benefits in Washington:

• Individual therapy sessions (in-person and telehealth)
• Couples and family counseling billed as behavioral health
• Initial assessments and diagnostic evaluations
• Ongoing outpatient therapy with a licensed therapist, associate, counselor, or intern under supervision

Coverage varies by plan type — HMO, PPO, and EPO plans each work differently — and whether your therapist is in-network or out-of-network matters significantly for your cost. The sections below break this down by insurer.

2. Which Insurance Plans Cover Therapy in Washington?

Here’s what to know about the insurance plans accepted at Lori Kimmerly Therapy:

Premera Blue Cross — One of Washington’s largest insurers and a frequent choice for employer plans. Premera covers outpatient mental health services including individual and couples therapy. In-network copays typically range from $20–$50 per session. Premera also covers telehealth therapy at the same rate as in-person visits, which matters if you’re accessing care remotely from anywhere in Washington State.

Cigna — Cigna plans in Washington generally include outpatient behavioral health benefits. PPO plans tend to offer more flexibility for choosing therapists, while HMO plans may require an in-network provider. Cigna covers telehealth therapy and typically includes both individual and couples counseling under behavioral health benefits.

Aetna — Aetna covers mental health services under most of its Washington plans, including individual therapy, couples counseling, and telehealth. High-deductible plans may require you to meet your deductible before per-session coverage kicks in, so it’s worth calling to confirm your specific benefits.

Kaiser Permanente — Kaiser operates as an integrated health system, meaning mental health services are often provided within the Kaiser network. If you’re working with a Kaiser-affiliated therapist, coverage is typically strong. Kaiser also covers telehealth behavioral health services and has expanded access to outpatient mental health care significantly in Washington State.

Molina Healthcare (Medicaid / Apple Health) — Molina Healthcare administers Apple Health (Washington State Medicaid) plans for income-eligible residents. Mental health services, including outpatient therapy and telehealth, are typically covered with little to no out-of-pocket cost for eligible members. If you qualify for Apple Health through Molina, you should have access to behavioral health services without the copays or deductibles associated with commercial plans.

Coordinated Care (Apple Health) — Coordinated Care is a Washington State Apple Health managed care organization serving Medicaid-eligible residents. It covers outpatient mental health services, including individual therapy and telehealth, with minimal cost to members. Coordinated Care focuses on whole-person care, making behavioral health services a core part of their coverage.

Community Health Plan of Washington (Apple Health) — Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) is a nonprofit Apple Health managed care plan. It covers behavioral health services for Medicaid-eligible members across Washington State, including individual therapy and telehealth. As a locally rooted plan, CHPW emphasizes access to community-based mental health care.

WellPoint (Elevance Health) — WellPoint, part of Elevance Health (formerly Anthem), offers commercial health insurance with behavioral health coverage. Most WellPoint plans include outpatient mental health services with copays and coverage levels comparable to other commercial insurers. Specifics vary by plan — contact member services to confirm your deductible and copay amounts for therapy.

TRICARE — TRICARE provides health coverage for active-duty military members, veterans, retirees, and their families. Most TRICARE plans — including TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select — cover outpatient mental health therapy. Telehealth coverage has expanded significantly, and TRICARE is often a strong option for military families seeking therapy access in Washington State or via telehealth from Arizona.

UnitedHealthcare — UnitedHealthcare is one of the nation’s largest insurers and covers outpatient mental health services under most of its Washington State plans. PPO plans offer more provider flexibility, while HMO plans typically require in-network providers. UnitedHealthcare covers individual therapy, couples counseling billed under behavioral health, and telehealth sessions.

Not sure which plan you have or what it covers? The next section walks you through how to find out in under ten minutes.

3. How Much Does Therapy Cost With Insurance?

With in-network coverage, most clients pay significantly less than the full session rate. Here’s what the numbers typically look like:

• Copay:  $20–$60 per session (fixed amount you pay each visit)
• Coinsurance: 10%–30% of the contracted rate after your deductible is met
• Deductible: Some plans require you to pay out-of-pocket until you hit your deductible, after which coverage applies
• After your out-of-pocket maximum: Covered sessions may cost $0 — common for clients who attend weekly therapy and hit their annual limit within a few months
• Medicaid (Apple Health) plans: Molina, Coordinated Care, and Community Health Plan members typically pay little to $0 per session
• TRICARE: Active-duty members typically pay nothing; TRICARE Select and Prime members pay a copay depending on the plan tier

An important clarification: therapists bill insurance at their standard session rate (often $150–$300 per session). Your insurance negotiates a lower contracted rate. You pay only your portion — the copay or coinsurance — and are not responsible for the balance. You don’t need to find a therapist who charges a lower rate; you need to find one who is in-network with your plan.

Telehealth sessions are covered at the same rate as in-person sessions by all plans listed above — which means location and schedule flexibility don’t come at an added cost.

4. How to Check Your Insurance Coverage for Therapy

You can confirm your therapy benefits in a few minutes. Here’s exactly what to do:

Step 1 — Call member services. The number is on the back of your insurance card. Ask these specific questions:

• “Do my benefits include outpatient mental health or behavioral health services?”
• “What is my copay or coinsurance for an in-network licensed therapist?”
• “Do I have a deductible to meet before mental health coverage applies?”
• “Is telehealth covered at the same rate as in-person sessions?”
• “How many sessions per year does my plan cover?”

Step 2 — Use your insurer’s online portal. Most plans let you search for in-network providers by specialty, zip code, and availability. Search for “Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist” or “LMFT” near your location.

Step 3 — Contact the therapy practice directly. At Lori Kimmerly Therapy, we verify your benefits before your first session — so you know exactly what your insurance will cover before you come in. You don’t have to figure this out on your own.

5. What If Your Insurance Doesn’t Cover Therapy?

If your plan doesn’t cover therapy, or your therapist is out of network, you have several paths forward:

Out-of-network benefits: Many PPO plans reimburse a portion of out-of-network therapy costs. Ask your insurer about “out-of-network mental health benefits” and request a superbill from your therapist — a detailed receipt you can submit directly to your insurance for partial reimbursement.

Private pay / self-pay: Paying out of pocket gives you more flexibility in choosing a therapist and doesn’t require a formal diagnosis for insurance purposes. Some clients prefer private pay for additional privacy. Lori Kimmerly Therapy offers private pay options at a set session rate.

HSA and FSA accounts: Therapy sessions are a qualified medical expense under both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). If you have either, you can use pre-tax dollars to pay for sessions — which effectively reduces your cost by your marginal tax rate.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Many employers offer EAPs that include a set number of free therapy sessions per year. Check with your HR department or benefits portal. EAP sessions are typically free and available regardless of your insurance plan.

6. Does Lori Kimmerly Therapy Take Insurance?

Lori Kimmerly Therapy accepts the following insurance plans in Washington State and Arizona:

• Premera Blue Cross
• Cigna
• Aetna
• Kaiser Permanente
• Molina (Medicaid / Apple Health)
• Coordinated Care (Apple Health)
• Community Health Plan of Washington (Apple Health)
• WellPoint (Elevance Health)
• TRICARE
• UnitedHealthcare

Private pay is also available for clients who prefer to work outside of insurance. Telehealth sessions throughout Washington State and Arizona are covered by all plans at the same rate as in-person visits.

Lori Kimmerly, LMFT specializes in IFS therapy (Internal Family Systems) for individuals and couples — one of the most effective evidence-based approaches for anxiety, trauma, and relationship patterns. She is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor with over a decade of clinical experience.

When you reach out to our practice, we handle benefit verification for you. Before your first session, you’ll know exactly what your insurance covers, what your copay will be, and whether telehealth or in-person is the best fit for your schedule. To get started, contact us here and let us know your insurance plan.