Therapy Costs and Insurance Coverage Details

Session Fees

Our current session rates vary by provider:

• Cindy Poulsen, LCSW – $250 per 60-minute session

• Sarah Loux, LCPC – $250 per 60-minute session

• Sarah Marsh, SWLC – $200 per 60-minute session

• Kelsie Ortiz, PCLC – $200 per 60-minute session

Please note: Sarah Marsh cannot accept HMK due to licensing restrictions.

In-Network Insurance

We are currently in-network with the following insurance providers:

• Mountain Health Co-Op

• Allegiance

• Aetna

• Cigna

• Acuity Group

• First Choice Health Network

• PacificSource Health Plans

• UnitedHealthcare

• Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, including:

  • HMK – Healthy Montana Kids

  • MCN – Managed Care

  • PPO

  • PMC-PPO – Medicare Advantage

  • TRA – Traditional

  • FEP – Federal Employee Program

  • BLC – Blue Focus POS

Insurance plans and eligibility can vary, so we always recommend verifying your individual benefits before starting therapy.

How in-network coverage works

If we are in-network with your insurance plan, your session fee is discounted to the rate we have negotiated with that carrier. After that adjustment, your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan’s benefits.

You may be responsible for:

• a copay

• deductible

• coinsurance

• a remaining balance based on your plan rules

Your final cost depends on your specific policy, not just the insurance company name. Even within the same carrier, benefits can vary widely from one plan to another.

Typical family therapy costs in Bozeman

Many people search for the cost of family therapy in Bozeman before reaching out. Private-pay family therapy rates in Bozeman often vary based on the therapist’s licensure level, specialty training, and session length.

At our practice, current 60-minute session rates range from $200 to $250, depending on the clinician.

If you are using insurance, your actual out-of-pocket cost may be lower than the private-pay rate. In many cases, clients pay only their copay, deductible amount, or coinsurance after the in-network adjustment is applied.

Does insurance cover family therapy?

Sometimes yes, but coverage depends on the specific plan and how the service is billed.

Many plans may cover family psychotherapy when:

• there is an identified client

• the service meets medical necessity criteria

• the session falls within outpatient mental health benefits

• telehealth family therapy is included in the plan, if applicable

Coverage rules differ by carrier and plan. Some plans cover family therapy broadly, while others may limit coverage, require an identified client, or apply special rules to telehealth or caregiver-only sessions.

Questions to ask your insurance company about family therapy

Before your first appointment, it can be helpful to call the member services number on your insurance card and ask:

• Do I have outpatient mental health benefits?

• Is family therapy covered under my plan?

• Is family psychotherapy with the identified client present (90847) covered?

• Is family psychotherapy without the identified client present (90846) covered?

• Do I need a referral or pre-authorization?

• Is telehealth family therapy covered?

• Do I have a deductible, copay, or coinsurance for these services?

• Are there visit limits for family therapy or behavioral health care?

• Is this provider in-network with my specific plan?

These questions can help you better understand your likely cost before treatment begins.

Out-of-network insurance and Superbills

If we are not in-network with your insurance provider, you may still choose to work with us as an out-of-network client.

For out-of-network therapy, we can provide a Superbill, which is a detailed receipt you may be able to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

Before starting therapy, we recommend asking your insurance provider:

• Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

• What percentage of the session fee will be reimbursed?

• Do I need to meet a deductible first?

• How do I submit a Superbill?

• Are family therapy sessions eligible for reimbursement?

• Are telehealth sessions eligible for reimbursement?

Out-of-network reimbursement is never guaranteed, so it is best to confirm your benefits directly with your plan.

Sliding scale and reduced-fee options

We offer sliding scale, reduced-rate, and discounted fee options across our therapy services when availability allows.

Sliding scale availability depends on:

• clinician availability

• current reduced-fee openings

• financial need

• the type of service requested

Sliding scale options may be available for:

• individual therapy

• couples therapy

• family therapy

• child therapy

If cost is a concern, we encourage you to reach out. We are happy to discuss current options and help you understand what may be the best fit for your budget.

Teletherapy and online family counseling

We offer teletherapy for many services, including family sessions when clinically appropriate.

Online family therapy can be helpful when:

• transportation is difficult

• family members are in different locations

• scheduling is hard to coordinate

• a child or teen is more comfortable starting virtually

• your family prefers the convenience of meeting from home

Insurance coverage for teletherapy varies by plan, so it is important to confirm whether your specific policy covers virtual family sessions.

Understanding your estimated costs

Once we receive your insurance information, we can review your benefits and provide an estimate of your expected out-of-pocket cost.

Please keep in mind:

• benefits checks are estimates

• final insurance processing can take time

• your exact responsibility is determined by your insurance carrier after claims are processed

• coverage details may change depending on deductible status, plan rules, or claim outcomes

We do our best to help clients understand their likely costs, but only your insurance company can make the final determination on claim payment.

Good Faith Estimate for self-pay or uninsured clients

If you are uninsured or choosing not to use insurance, you have the right to request a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges before beginning services.

A Good Faith Estimate is designed to help self-pay and uninsured clients better understand anticipated costs in advance. Federal guidance through the No Surprises Act explains that self-pay or uninsured patients can request this estimate before scheduled care.

Which type of therapy is the most cost-effective fit?

The answer depends on your goals, insurance plan, and who needs support.

For example:

• Individual therapy may be the best fit when one person wants focused support

• Couples therapy may be the best fit when the central issue is the partner relationship

• Family therapy may be the best fit when the concern involves the broader family system, such as parent-child conflict, caregiver-child stress, or blended family adjustment

• Child therapy with parent support may be the best fit when a child needs care and caregiver involvement is an important part of treatment

If you are not sure which path makes the most sense financially or clinically, contact us and we can help you think through your options.

Questions?

If you have questions about fees, insurance, Superbills, family therapy coverage, teletherapy, or sliding scale availability, please contact us.

If you tell us:

• what type of therapy you are seeking

• which insurance plan you have

• whether you prefer in-person or online sessions

we can help you determine the most practical next step.