Does the Empire Plan Cover Therapy?
Yes, the Empire Plan insurance plan covers therapy and counseling in many cases. Here's how to find Empire Plan mental health providers.
You can quickly see all therapists and counselors who take The Empire Plan in your area, and book appointments online for in-person or telehealth video therapy sessions.
Empire Plan therapy coverage
The Empire Plan is a New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) PPO health plan for New York State's public employees and employers. Empire Plan benefits include inpatient and outpatient hospital coverage, medical and surgical coverage, and prescription drug coverage, as well as therapy, mental health, and substance abuse coverage.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), mental and behavioral health treatment must be covered as essential health benefits. These include counseling and therapy, as well as inpatient mental and behavioral health care and substance abuse treatment.
Almost all mental disorders, as well as substance use disorders and alcohol and chemical dependency treatment, are covered by all ACA-compliant health insurance.
However, since insurance coverage is based on medical necessity, the Empire Plan may have more limited coverage options for common life problems like couples and marriage counseling, career coaching, and general relationship issues.
Tips to find affordable therapy on the Empire Plan
If you’re looking for a way to find affordable therapy and quality mental health care, here are some tips on how to find affordable, low-cost—and even free—therapy.
For starters, you can browse all the therapists who accept The Empire Plan.
You can also browse therapists and counselors based on the insurance providers they accept.
The Monarch Directory by SimplePractice can help you find the right therapist for you.
Many of the therapists on Monarch offer free 15-minute initial consultation sessions to make sure they are a good fit for your specific needs, whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, or other mental health concerns.
Here are more tips to find a therapist who takes your health insurance.