Does Blue Cross Insurance Cover Therapy?

Blue Cross insurance plans offer coverage for many different mental health treatments, including therapy and counselling. But keep in mind that every policy is different — what your employer covers can differ entirely from another, even in similar industries.

If you're seeking affordable therapy or affordable counselling services but aren’t sure whether your Blue Cross insurance policy has you covered, dusting up on your policy details and insurance benefits is the first step to take.

Does Blue Cross cover therapy?

“It depends.”

That’s about the most concise response possible.

Does your employer's policy include coverage for mental health services? If so, your insurance benefits will give you Blue Cross coverage for therapy and counselling. But the details of your coverage depend entirely on your employer's specific program, coverage options, and extended health care coverage.

Because of that, if you read just one part of this article, make it this: 

Consult your company's specific Blue Cross policy to determine whether: 

1. Your insurance offers mental health coverage
2. The extent of that coverage 
3. The qualifications your provider should have in order for you to be eligible for reimbursement

Your specific policy may differ, but mental health services covered by Blue Cross extended health plans typically include:

• Individual Therapy
• Couples Therapy
• Family & Group Therapy
• Online Therapy

Blue Cross will only provide coverage for therapy or counselling delivered by regulated mental health professionals. Requirements for eligible coverage are covered in your company’s policy. 

If in doubt, ask your HR department (or phone your regional Blue Cross plan for specific information about your program)

What types of therapists are eligible for Blue Cross therapy coverage?

Typically, in-person or online therapy and counselling professionals eligible for Blue Cross insurance coverage includeRegistered Psychotherapist

• Registered Psychotherapist
• Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
• Psychologist (C.Psych, R.Psych, etc)
• Psychological Associate
• Registered Clinical Counsellor
• Provisional Psychologist
• Certified Canadian Counsellor
• Family therapists
• Registered Social Worker
• Registered Clinical Social Worker
• Registered Counselling Therapist
• Occupational Therapist

Your policy will outline any certifications or other requirements it’s necessary your mental health provider have. As a general rule of thumb, coverage is generally designation dependent. Your insurance plan should be quite explicit on which designations are covered. For more information on designations, you can read our short guide.
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What types of therapy services are covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield?

Blue Cross counselling coverage usually covers a wide range of counselling philosophies. That includes, at minimum:

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Psychodynamic Therapy

Again, your specific policy may have specific requirements, and may not cover every counselling philosophy out there. Before setting your heart on a particular counselling type, or making an appointment, check the policy thoroughly.

Many therapists specialize in multiple behavioral health treatments and types. Some therapy platforms give you tools to filter available therapists by modality or issue (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, workplace stress, body image issues, counselling for youth, etc). That can help narrow your search options quickly.

How many therapy sessions will Blue Cross Blue Shield cover?

Reimbursement details and coverage can range widely when your policy covers therapy.

When it comes to affordable counselling, some employers cover 100% of the cost, with yearly maximums in the $10,000 range. Others might provide a yearly maximum of $2000. It 100% depends on your employer's policy.

Check your specific policy or consult your human resources department for complete details on your insurance coverage and extended health plan.

Does Blue Cross cover psychotherapy?

Yes, Blue Cross does cover psychotherapy. Psychotherapy—aka “talk therapy”—is a common form of therapy focused on helping individuals with a wide range of mental health issues. Many psychotherapists will specialize in the types of behavioral health services listed above under “What types of therapy are covered by Blue Cross?”

Does Blue Cross cover counselling?

Yes. As a matter of fact, the terms "counsellor" and "therapist" are generally considered interchangeable. Before booking, just be sure you understand what qualifications your counsellor requires in order to be covered by your Blue Cross policy.

Does Blue Cross cover online therapy?

Yes. As long as your online therapy provider meets the professional certification and credentials laid out by your Blue Cross policy, online therapy is covered the same as in-person counselling.

There may be specific details in your policy about online therapy that state otherwise, but this would be highly unusual (at time of writing—2024).

Is Blue Cross direct billing available? 

Yes! However, it all depends on your therapist or counsellor. Some counselling platforms like First Session allow you to search for therapists that direct bill insurance. 

Two ways to make the most of your Blue Cross mental health coverage

Word of advice: Whether your Blue Cross insurance covers $2000 or $10,000 of annual costs related to therapy, making the most of your coverage can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Doing so ensures you make the most progress possible in therapy, resulting in lasting and impactful changes to your mental health and quality of life.

1) Focus on finding the right therapist

The amount of annual costs covered by your plan is limited, so don't want to waste time "trialling" different therapists.

Whether it's for in-person or online therapy, make the time to do your research and find a licensed therapist or mental health care professional that feels like the right fit. The ideal therapist is someone you can envision working with consistently over the months ahead—possibly even for years. 

Research shows that consistency (regular sessions) and fit (a therapist who suits your needs and personality) are two of the most critical factors leading to lasting changes in your mental health.

Most therapist marketplaces/platforms will provide some details about a therapist before you book. First Session provides extended video interviews, helping you to figure out whether a therapist might be a good fit before you book your first session.

Again, double check the in-person or mental health care provider you decide to go with meets your health plan's requirements for reimbursement. If you have any questions, ask your HR department or representative.

For more advice on finding the right therapist, you can read our short guide.

2) Determine your therapy schedule

Regardless of what mental health conditions you may be experiencing, consistency plays a huge role in effective therapy. To calculate an affordable therapy cadence, divide your yearly coverage limit by the cost per session, and schedule accordingly.

For example: Suppose your yearly coverage is $5000, and each session with the therapist you prefer costs $200.

5000 divided by 200 equals 25. That equals just over 2 therapy sessions per month (or, a therapy session every 2 weeks).

Find a consistent day and hour to schedule each session, and block off time for it. Blocking off that time now ensures you won’t struggle to find a time in the future for your mental health journey.

Remember: Get to know your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy before you book 

Take 30 - 60 minutes to understand your Blue Cross policy's mental health coverage and to find the right dedicated therapist. It can have a huge impact you everyday life. While every policy differs, knowing the details and nuances is pretty straightforward. As already mentioned, consult your specific policy, contact your HR representative, or call your regional Blue Cross Blue Shield plan for further details.

When it's time to find a licensed therapist, start your search with First Session's therapist database. You can search by therapy type, certification, location, and coverage. Then, watch intro videos to gauge for fit before you book — so you don't waste a single dollar of coverage on trialling the wrong therapist(s). 

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