About Therapy

FEES & INSURANCE

The referral process is provided free of charge as a public service. Fees for private practice therapy vary among our therapists. If you choose to use your health insurance, it is important to find out about deductibles, co-payments, and any limitations on the number of sessions allowed. Find out if you can work with any licensed provider or whether you must see a therapist who is a provider for your specific health plan. SWTRS lists therapists who participate in most health insurance plan.

You may decide to pay privately for counseling because of concerns about confidentiality or because you choose not to be limited to your insurance plan's network of providers. Or you may not have insurance. SWTRS can help you find a therapist you can afford.

The Mental Health Parity Law
In 2000, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a Mental Health Parity Law. This law requires employers to provide parity--the same insurance coverage for biologically-based mental health conditions as for physical conditions. This bill affects:

·	People with biologically based conditions including schizophrenia, bi-polar illness, panic disorder and other conditions listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
·	Rape victims (once they have exhausted compensation from the crime victim's compensation law).
·	Children and adolescents with non-biologically based emotional or behavioral disorders that substantially limit their functioning.
·	Clients with non-biologically based mental health conditions who may also be eligible for up to 24 therapy sessions depending on medical necessity.

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you are entitled to greater mental health benefits from your insurance company depends upon your mental health condition and upon where you work. If you are employed by a self-insured company, the law does not cover your benefit plan. If you are employed in Massachusetts by a company that is not self-insured, the law covers you. The law does not apply to companies with less than 50 employees. You can learn more by asking your insurance company for details.

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