Can 'couples' therapy be covered under one persons' insurance?

Question

Hopefully we can steer away from any mean jokes or advice about 'couples therapy'. But in all seriousness, just a quick inquiry about how its covered if one chooses to do it. What if both couples have seperate insurance? Does each person get billed? Do you need to find someone who takes both insurers? Thanks for the understanding guys.

Answer 1

Couples therapy or marriage  counseling is not a medical service and is not covered by health insurance.

Mental health counseling with a valid mental health diagnosis (such as depression or other legitimate conditions) is what insurance will cover when a mental health benefit exists.  Period.

If a person is getting "couples counseling" vs. mental health counseling for a true mental health diagnosis and their insurance is reimbursing it, then they are taking part in insurance fraud.  (Whether knowingly or unknowingly.)  There are some unethical counselors out there who will fudge a claim and say that the person has a mental health condition.

The problem with this is that if the counselor gets caught, the patient can be left on the hook for a good chunk of money.  Also, the patient will have claims on record for whatever mental health diagnosis the counselor is deciding to bill under, and that could affect the patient's future coverage.

If you need couples counseling, pay for it out of pocket...there are some counseling agencies that use a sliding fee scale based on your income.

Answer 2

A couple can usually go with just 1 person's insurance & you don't both need the same insurer.  I'm a strong believer in couples' councilling, as I've seen it work for many relationships, including my own.  Only 1 of us was insured @ that time, btw.

Answer 3

I have met this kind of situation before,here is the place I found useful.http://insurance.free-onlinetip.info/ins...

Answer 4

It will probably only be covered if you has a mental health or behavioral health diagnosis that is covered under your insurance. They will probably bill both policies because it would be a visit for you both.

If it is for the purpose of marriage counseling only, with out a mental or behavioral diagnosis, then it is not medical in nature and will defiantly not be covered.

Answer 5

~~They will bill the insurance for the person who initiates the appointment. Just be sure to find out your benefits for mental health care as they are different from physical medical care. Follow the directions of your insurance to receive complete benefits. If one of the couples exhausts their allotted amount, it can then be started under the other partners benefits.~~

Answer 6

Yes, my hubby and I recently had the same ? come up and it's fine most therapist don't ask if you have more than one insurance Co. plan. I hope this helps.I wish you the best.