Is online therapy covered by insurance in Washington?
In most cases yes. Most major plans cover therapy by secure video the same way they cover an in-person session. We accept Kaiser, Premera, Regence, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, and we recommend confirming your exact benefits with your insurer before your first session, so you are not guessing.
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover online therapy in Washington the same way they cover an in-person session. Counseling Services for Wellbeing accepts Kaiser, Premera, Regence, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna for care by secure video. What you pay depends on your specific plan, so we recommend confirming your exact benefits with your insurer before your first session.
Online therapy is covered the same way an in-person session is.
For most plans in Washington, a session by secure video and a session in an office are the same covered service. The format does not change whether therapy is covered or how your benefits apply. That is the part people are usually surprised by, because the big telehealth apps often run cash-pay only, so it can feel like online care and insurance do not go together. With a practice that bills your plan, they do.
What you actually pay is set by your plan, not by the screen. Some plans apply a flat copay to each session. Others count the session toward your deductible first, so you pay more early in the year and less once the deductible is met, then often a smaller share after that. Where you land depends on your plan and where you are in your plan year, which is why a single number on a page is rarely the number you would see.
So the honest answer is that your plan decides the details, and we do not leave you to guess them. We recommend confirming your exact benefits with your insurer before your first session, so the cost is clear before you start.
Major Washington plans we accept for online therapy
If you have UnitedHealthcare, your behavioral health benefits are often managed through Optum, its behavioral health administrator, and that coverage works the same for online sessions. Do not see your plan here? Reach out with any questions on the insurance and fees page; the member number on your card is the fastest way to confirm your benefits.
What you pay depends on your plan, so it is worth confirming before you start.
There is no single price for therapy with insurance, because your share is set by your own plan and changes through the year. Here is what shapes it, and how to take the guesswork off your plate.
A copay, or a share after your deductible
Some plans charge a flat copay per session. Others count sessions toward a deductible first, then a percentage after that, so your cost can shift across the year.
Where you are in your plan year
If you have already met part of your deductible, you may pay less now than you would have in January. Where you are in the year matters as much as the plan itself.
Confirm your benefits first
Before your first session, we recommend calling the member number on your card to confirm what your plan covers and what your share looks like, so there is no surprise bill after the first visit.
We do not quote a copay sight unseen, because the number on a page is rarely the number on your plan. We recommend confirming yours with your insurer to get the real one. You can also see our full insurance and fees details any time.
If you would rather not use insurance, you still have options.
Not everyone wants to go through insurance, and that is a fair choice. Some people prefer to pay directly for privacy or to keep things simple, and some have a plan we do not accept. Either way you can still work with us by secure video, with the same therapist each session. We offer self-pay, and you are welcome to ask about it before you decide. See self-pay options for the details.
What people ask about insurance and online therapy in Washington.
Is online therapy covered by insurance in Washington?
Yes. Most major insurance plans in Washington cover online therapy the same way they cover an in-person session. Counseling Services for Wellbeing accepts Kaiser, Premera, Regence, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna for online care. Because the exact details depend on your specific plan, we recommend confirming your benefits with your insurer before your first session so you are not guessing.
Will insurance pay for online therapy the same as an in-person visit?
In most cases yes. Washington plans generally treat a secure video session and an in-person session as the same covered service, so the way your benefits apply does not usually change because the session is online. What you pay is set by your own plan, not by the format, and we recommend confirming those details with your insurer before you start.
Which insurance plans does Counseling Services for Wellbeing accept for online therapy?
We accept Kaiser, Premera, Regence, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna for online therapy in Washington. UnitedHealthcare members often see their behavioral health benefits managed through Optum, which is its behavioral health administrator, and that coverage works the same for online sessions. We recommend calling the member number on your card to confirm what your specific plan covers before your first session.
How much does online therapy cost with insurance?
It depends on your plan and where you are in your plan year. Your share might be a flat copay, or a percentage of the session once you have met your deductible, and that can change as the year goes on. We do not quote a number sight unseen because every plan is different. We recommend confirming your exact benefits with your insurer before your first session so you know what to expect.
Do I need a referral for online therapy in Washington?
Most Washington plans do not require a referral to start therapy, though a few do, and some have specific rules for behavioral health. Rather than have you read the fine print, we recommend asking your insurer whether your plan needs a referral when you confirm your benefits before the first session, and if there is a step to take first we will walk you through it.
Does Washington allow telehealth therapy to be covered?
Yes. Washington supports therapy delivered by secure video, and plans regulated in the state generally cover telehealth behavioral health on the same terms as in-person care. Our clinicians are licensed in Washington, which is what allows us to see clients anywhere in the state by video and bill it to your plan the usual way.
What if I would rather not use insurance for online therapy?
That is a common choice and we support it. Some people prefer to pay directly for privacy or simplicity, or their plan is one we do not accept. We offer self-pay options, and you can ask us about them before you start. The same therapist and the same secure video care apply whether you use insurance or pay on your own.
Find out what your plan covers before you start.
Request an appointment today and we will match you with a therapist who fits what you are working on, and get you started by secure video, often within the same week. Counseling Services for Wellbeing accepts Kaiser, Premera, Regence, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, serves every corner of Washington by secure video, and tells you what your care costs before your first session.
