Is EMDR Therapy Covered By Insurance?

It’s generally covered by insurance if the insurance covers psychotherapy. However, the extent of the coverage may have conditions. Also, there are affordable alternatives if you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t provide coverage.

It’s important to know whether your insurance plan covers EMDR treatment provided by a therapist because EMDR sessions may run for many weeks. In most cases, you may need to pay some fee out-of-pocket.

So, knowing beforehand how much the insurance will cover if at all, can help you plan your expenses for the therapy.

Does Insurance Cover EMDR Therapy?

Most private insurance plans in the US that cover behavioral therapy will also cover EMDR. This treatment, delivered by a licensed psychologist or therapist, helps people overcome PTSD and trauma-related difficulties. The American Psychological Association (APA) also recognizes EMDR and recommends it as a treatment for various conditions.

While your insurance may cover EMDR therapy, there may be several conditions that must be met:

• A diagnosis from a healthcare practitioner that necessitates therapy, particularly EMDR
• Only a specific length or number of sessions may be covered (whether the treatment is completed or not)
• Only an in-network therapist may provide the EMDR therapy
• Deductible or co-pay for each session (deductible is the amount you pay for a service before the insurance can start paying, and copay is the fixed amount that you must pay for that service)

Read the terms and conditions in your policy or speak with a representative from the insurance company to determine whether it covers therapy.

Does Insurance Cover Online EMDR Therapy? 

Health insurance plans may provide coverage for online EMDR therapy. However, coverage varies widely by provider.

If you’re receiving therapy online from an in-network therapist and therapy is covered under your plan, it may be covered by the same rules as in-person therapy (that is, how much you’ll pay and how long the sessions will be).

If you’ve signed up for therapy with an online platform, then things are a little different. Insurance may cover services from certain online therapy platforms. However, most online therapy platforms typically don’t accept insurance.

That said, online EMDR therapy is much more affordable than in-person. So, even without insurance, you may be able to afford EMDR therapy given online as opposed to in-person at a therapist’s practice.
If insurance is accepted, copays can vary from zero to $100 per session.

Again, even with online EMDR, insurance may have conditions like how long the sessions may run.

Check with your insurance provider before signing up with an online therapist, or opt for a cheap online therapy platform like Online Therapy, which starts at $49 per month.

Is EMDR Covered by Medicare? 

Medicare covers EMDR if it’s medically necessary, as the government-run insurance for the elderly covers mental health treatment. If a doctor believes that EMDR therapy is necessary for the treatment of your mental disorder, they may prescribe it in writing.

In such a case, Medicare will pay for it. That all said, the specifics of the coverage can vary based on individual factors.

Medicare also covers telehealth services, including therapy. So, your online EMDR therapy sessions will most likely be covered by Medicare under Part B and Medicare Advantage (Part C). You do have to bear the copay, which is 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for treatment after you’ve paid the deductible.

Does Medicaid Cover EMDR Therapy?

Check the Medicaid website for your state to find out if mental health services are covered and how much exactly it covers.

In most cases, psychotherapy treatment like EMDR must be medically necessary to be covered under Medicaid. As for online therapy, some therapists or platforms may accept Medicaid in a limited capacity.
Like private insurance, there may be a copay you’d have to pay for the entire treatment or each session.

If you’re on Medicaid, your options may be limited. Online therapy platforms with low monthly subscription rates are a viable solution if, for any reason, you can’t get therapy via Medicaid.

EMDR Therapy without Insurance

If you don’t have any kind of health insurance and you need EMDR therapy as part of your mental health treatment, consider opting for self-administered virtual EMDR. While therapists deliver EMDR therapy, it’s possible to undergo the treatment on your own with just a device with an internet connection.

OPEN EMDR has been designed for this very purpose—to make EMDR affordable and accessible for people everywhere. With this route, you undergo the treatment yourself by following detailed video tutorials developed by licensed and experienced psychologists.

EMDR is a multi-phase treatment that follows a detailed step-by-step routine. You can perform it yourself in a quiet, comfortable space.

OPEN EMDR costs just $10 per month, so you can complete it quickly without being overburdened by high copays. Alternatively, you can pay $300 for lifetime access to the platform. It’s the cheapest option out there, even cheaper than online therapy platforms.

How to Find If Your Insurance Covers EMDR Therapy?

If you already have an insurance policy through your work or otherwise, here are some steps you can take to confirm whether your insurance plan covers EMDR therapy.

• Review insurance policy: Go through the actual policy document and find the section related to mental health services. See what it says about psychotherapy or counseling.
• Contact provider: To get the latest information, contact your insurance provider’s helpline and ask if therapy is covered. Ask for any specifics, conditions, and copays.
• Ask therapist or platform: If you’re interested in receiving EMDR therapy from a particular therapist or online platform, inquire whether they take the insurance you have.
• Appeal or negotiate coverage: If your insurance provider doesn’t cover therapy, you may be able to appeal this decision or negotiate the terms of the coverage.

Affordable EMDR Is Just a Click Away

Conditions like PTSD and anxiety are serious matters that can disrupt the peace of your life. And EMDR can help you treat these conditions. Don’t let affordability keep you from seeking the help you need.