Affordable Mental Health Treatment in Denver

Taking the first step toward improving your mental health is a significant act of self-care. For many in Denver, the search for quality therapy often leads to a common question: How can I afford it? While using in-network insurance might seem like the most straightforward path, it often comes with long waitlists and limited choices. Out-of-network therapy presents a powerful alternative, opening doors to specialized, high-quality care without the extended delays.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using your out-of-network benefits for mental health treatment in Denver. We will explore how to make specialized treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) more affordable. You will learn how to verify your benefits, understand the reimbursement process, and get practical tips for managing costs. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge to access the best possible care for your needs.

Quick Summary: Key Takeaways

Access Specialized Care Faster: Out-of-network (OON) therapy often provides quicker access to specialized providers, such as those offering evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT, compared to long waitlists for in-network specialists.
Understand Your Benefits: Your insurance plan may offer significant reimbursement for OON services. It’s crucial to call your insurance provider to understand your specific deductible, coinsurance, and “allowed amount” for behavioral health.
The Superbill is Your Key: Your therapist provides a “superbill,” a detailed receipt of services. You submit this document to your insurance company to request reimbursement for the fees you’ve paid.
Cost-Effective Strategies: You can make therapy more affordable by utilizing Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), exploring group therapy options, considering bi-weekly sessions, and maximizing progress with between-session work.
Evidence-Based Therapies Work: CBT and DBT are highly effective, structured therapies that provide practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Mountainside Behavioral Health specializes in these evidence-based treatments.

Understanding Your Options for Behavioral Health in Denver

When you begin your search for a therapist, you’ll encounter two main categories: in-network and out-of-network providers. In-network therapists have a contract with your insurance company, meaning you typically only pay a small copay per session after meeting your deductible. While this seems appealing, the reality in a high-demand city like Denver can be challenging. Many of the most experienced and specialized therapists are not in-network.

Out-of-network (OON) providers do not have a direct contract with insurance companies. You pay the therapist their full fee at the time of service. However, if your insurance plan includes OON benefits, you can submit a claim for partial reimbursement. This model allows you to choose your therapist based on expertise and fit, rather than being limited to a pre-approved list. For many, this freedom of choice is essential for finding effective mental health therapy in Denver.

At Mountainside Behavioral Health, we operate as an out-of-network provider. This allows us to offer a supportive and professional environment focused on providing high-quality, evidence-based care without the restrictions often imposed by insurance companies. We are committed to helping our clients navigate the OON process by providing the necessary paperwork (a superbill) to submit for reimbursement.

Why Specialized Therapy Matters

One advantage of working with an out-of-network provider is access to therapists who specialize in evidence-based treatment approaches. Rather than using a single therapy model for every client, specialized therapists choose techniques that best fit each person’s symptoms, goals, and circumstances.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are two of the most widely researched approaches available today. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and developing healthier behaviors, while DBT emphasizes emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. Depending on your needs, one approach or a combination of both may be recommended.

If you’d like to learn more about these therapies, we have dedicated resources covering CBT Therapy, DBT Groups, Anxiety Treatment, Depression Treatment, PTSD Treatment, OCD Treatment, and our CBT vs. DBT Guide.

Making Therapy Affordable: How to Navigate Out-of-Network Benefits

The phrase “out-of-network” can sound expensive, but with the right information, you may find that it’s more affordable than you think. Many clients receive significant reimbursement from their insurance companies, making specialized care accessible. Here’s how to make it work.

Step 1: Check Your Out-of-Network Benefits

Your first step is to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask about your out-of-network benefits for “outpatient mental health” or “behavioral health.”

Sample Script for Calling Your Insurance Provider:

“Hello, I am calling to check my out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health therapy.

Can you tell me what my out-of-network deductible is for outpatient mental health?
How much of that deductible have I already met this year?
What is the coinsurance I will be responsible for after my deductible is met? (For example, does the plan pay 80% and I pay 20%?)
What is the ‘allowed amount’ or ‘usual and customary rate’ for a 45-minute individual psychotherapy session (CPT code 90834) with a psychologist in Denver (zip code [insert Denver zip code])?
Is pre-authorization required for these services?
How do I submit claims for reimbursement? Do you have an online portal or a mailing address?”

Step 2: Understand the Key Terms

When you call your insurance company, you’ll hear a few key terms. Understanding them is crucial.

Deductible: This is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance plan starts to reimburse you. For example, if your OON deductible is $1,000, you will pay the full cost of therapy until you have spent $1,000.
Coinsurance: Once your deductible is met, your insurance will pay a percentage of the “allowed amount.” This is your coinsurance. For example, if your plan covers 80%, you are responsible for the remaining 20%.
Allowed Amount (or UCR): This is the maximum amount your insurance company deems reasonable for a specific service in your geographic area. It may be less than your therapist’s actual fee. For example, if your therapist charges $200 per session but the insurance company’s allowed amount is $150, they will reimburse you a percentage of the $150, not the full $200.

Example Scenario:

Therapist’s Fee: $200 per session
Your OON Deductible: $1,000
Your Coinsurance: 80/20 (Insurance pays 80%, you pay 20%)
Allowed Amount: $150

For the first five sessions, you would pay your therapist $200 per session, totaling $1,000. You have now met your deductible. For your sixth session, you still pay your therapist $200. You submit your superbill, and your insurance company will process the claim based on the $150 allowed amount. They will reimburse you 80% of $150, which is $120. Your final out-of-pocket cost for that session is $80 ($200 fee – $120 reimbursement).

Step 3: Get Your Superbill and Submit Your Claim

A superbill is a detailed invoice from your therapist that includes all the information your insurance company needs to process your claim: the provider’s information, your diagnosis code, the dates of service, the CPT (service) codes, and the fees you paid.

At Mountainside Behavioral Health, we make this easy by providing you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company. Most insurers now have online portals where you can upload the superbill directly, making the process faster and simpler than mailing it.

Checklist for Using Your OON Benefits:

[ ] Call your insurance provider to confirm your OON benefits for outpatient mental health.
[ ] Ask about your deductible, coinsurance, and the allowed amount for CPT code 90834.
[ ] Schedule a consultation with your chosen therapist.
[ ] Pay your therapist their full fee at each session.
[ ] Receive a monthly superbill from your therapist.
[ ] Submit the superbill to your insurance company via their online portal or by mail.
[ ] Receive a reimbursement check or direct deposit from your insurance company.

More Strategies to Make Therapy in Denver Affordable

Beyond using your OON benefits, there are several other ways to manage the cost of high-quality therapy.

Use Your HSA or FSA: Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for medical expenses, including therapy. This can result in significant savings.
Consider Group Therapy: Group therapy is a highly effective and more affordable option. Our Adults DBT Groups are $125 per 2-hour session, and our Multi-Family Skills Groups are $150 per 2-hour session. These groups offer a supportive community and structured skill-building at a lower price point than individual sessions.
Explore Session Frequency: While weekly sessions are often recommended at the beginning of treatment, you and your therapist may decide that bi-weekly sessions are appropriate as you make progress. This can help spread out the cost.
Maximize Between-Session Work: Evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT involve homework and skill practice between appointments. The more you engage with this work, the more progress you will make, potentially reducing the total number of sessions needed.
Ask About Options: When you have your initial consultation, feel free to ask your provider about any available options for making care affordable. Some practices may have limited sliding scale spots or can guide you toward the most cost-effective treatment plan for your goals.

The Value Proposition: OON vs. In-Network

While in-network therapy appears cheaper upfront, it’s important to consider the hidden costs. Long waitlists mean you might wait months for care, during which time your symptoms could worsen. In-network provider lists are often limited, forcing you to choose a therapist who may not specialize in your specific area of need, such as trauma-focused CBT in Denver or DBT for ADHD in Denver.

Out-of-network therapy offers a compelling value proposition:

Faster Access: You can typically get an appointment with a specialist much sooner.
Freedom of Choice: You can choose the best psychologist in Denver for you based on expertise, approach, and personality fit.
Specialized Care: OON providers often have advanced training in specific evidence-based modalities that may be hard to find in-network.

When you invest in specialized OON care, you are investing in efficient and effective treatment that can lead to lasting change more quickly.

Understanding Costs at Mountainside Behavioral Health

As an out-of-network practice, we believe in transparent pricing so clients can make informed decisions about their care. We provide superbills for insurance reimbursement and are happy to help clients understand how the reimbursement process works before beginning therapy.

Current fees and insurance information are available on our Insurance & Pricing page, where you’ll also find answers to common questions about out-of-network reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is out-of-network therapy more expensive?

Out-of-network therapy often requires a higher upfront payment than in-network care, but that does not always mean it is more expensive overall. Many insurance plans provide partial reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services, which can significantly reduce your final cost. In addition, working with a therapist who specializes in evidence-based treatments may help you make meaningful progress more efficiently, providing long-term value that extends beyond the session fee.

Does out-of-network therapy count toward my deductible?

Yes, the amount you pay out-of-pocket for OON services typically counts toward your OON deductible. Once you meet that deductible, your insurance plan will begin to reimburse you at your specified coinsurance rate.

How long does reimbursement take?

Reimbursement times vary by insurance company. After you submit your superbill, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months to receive payment. Using an online portal is often the fastest way to get your claim processed.

Is telehealth reimbursable for out-of-network therapy?

In most cases, yes. The vast majority of insurance plans now cover telehealth sessions the same way they cover in-person sessions. However, it is always a good idea to confirm this with your insurance provider when you call to check your benefits.

Why do therapists choose to stay out of network?

Many therapists choose to remain out of network so they can provide more individualized care without the administrative restrictions that often come with insurance contracts. This allows them to spend more time tailoring treatment plans, use evidence-based approaches based on each client’s needs rather than insurance requirements, and offer specialized services that may not be available through in-network providers. For many clients, this flexibility leads to a more personalized and collaborative therapy experience.

Investing in the Right Care

Choosing a therapist is an investment in your long-term well-being. Understanding your insurance benefits and how out-of-network reimbursement works can make specialized care more accessible than many people expect.

If you’re considering therapy, learning about your options and asking questions about costs before beginning treatment can help you make a confident, informed decision.