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 plan or group plan covers can differ plan by plan, even if they are all Blue Cross policies.

If you're seeking online or in-person therapy services but aren’t sure whether your Blue Cross insurance policy will cover your costs, getting familiar with your health covereage under your Blue Cross insurance or group benefits covereage is the first place to start—and we are here to help.

Does Blue Cross cover therapy?

They certainly do. But it depends on your specific plan, and what types of providers who are given coverage.

Does your employer's policy include coverage for mental health or psychology services? You can usally find therapy and counselling coverage under the "paramedical" section of your insurance covereage outline.

If you have mental health covereage under your plan, your health insurance 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 your specific Blue Cross policy to determine whether: 

1. Your insurance offers mental health coverage
2. The extent of that coverage (i.e. how much $ per year, and if there are any maximum amounts per session)
3. The qualifications your provider should have in order for you to be eligible for reimbursement

Here is a full guide to help you find a therapist in Canada who is covered by your insurance.

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

• Individual Therapy and Counselling
• Couples Therapy and Marriage Counselling
• Family & Group Therapy
• Online Therapy (which may not be listed, but is almost certainly covered if you have therapy coverage)

Blue Cross will only provide coverage for therapy or counselling delivered by accredited mental health professionals. Requirements for eligible coverage are covered in your company’s policy, and may differ from province to province, depending on where you reside, and where your provider resides.

If in doubt, ask your HR department, employee benefits team, (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 include:

• Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
• Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) (RP(Q))
• Psychologist (C.Psych, R.Psych, etc)
• Psychological Associate
• Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
• Provisional Psychologist
• Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC)
• Registered Social Worker (RSW)
• Masters of Social Work (MSW)
• Registered Clinical Social Worker
• Registered Counselling Therapist
• Occupational Therapist

One important thing to note here: your insurance policy may use rather vague language like "Psychologist Office Visit", "Clinical Counsellor", or "Social Work". If the terms your insurance booklet uses does not explicitly match your therapist's designation, ensure that your provider is registered with the provincial college or assiciation which closest matches your covereage, and there is a VERY good change you're covered.

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. That being said, if you want to see a counsellor who is registered under a college or assocation that is not in your guide or insurance booklet, it doesn't hurt to ask your plan administrator. For more information on designations, you can read our short guide.

What do I ask Blue Cross if I'm unsure of my mental health coverage?

If you know you have mental health coverage, but are not sure what exactly for, try asking your plan administrator, HR team, or Blue Crossdirectly whether or not your plan have coverage for "X" therapy with "Y" provider.

For example:

• Does my Blue Cross plan cover individual therapy with a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor?
• Does my Blue Cross plan cover couples therapy with a Registered Social Worker?
• Does my Blue Cross plan cover online therapist with Canadian Certified Counsellor?
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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)
• Somatic Therapies
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

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 behavioural 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 cover?

Coverage is typically stated as a dollar amount per year.

Plans and employers vary widely for the generousity of their coverage. Some employers cover 100% of the cost, with yearly maximums in the $10,000 range. Others might provide a yearly maximum of $500, and may only cover a maximum of $120 per session. It 100% depends on your specific Blue Cross policy.

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

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

Word of advice: Whether your Blue Cross insurance covers $500 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 your willingness to commit (i.e. are ready to "do the work") and the therapeutic alliance 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 $2000, and each session with the Psychologist you prefer costs $200.

2000 divided by 200 equals 10.

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 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).