Resources · Guide
Using Insurance for Therapy in Utah
Insurance can make therapy more affordable, but the details are rarely explained clearly. This guide covers the plans Introspect accepts, the questions worth asking your insurer, and what your options are if your plan is out of network.
Select Health · BCBS · UBH · University of Utah Health Plans
Accepted Plans
The Four Plans Introspect Accepts
Athena Metos, MA, LMFT accepts four insurance plans: Select Health, BCBS, UBH, and University of Utah Health Plans. If you have one of these, you may be able to use your benefits for therapy at Introspect, whether you meet in person at the Salt Lake City office or by telehealth from anywhere in Utah.
Having an accepted plan is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Each insurer offers many different plans, and each plan has its own rules about mental health coverage, cost sharing and authorization. The only reliable source for what your particular plan will pay is the plan itself, which is why the next section is a list of questions to ask before your first appointment.
It is also worth checking again at the start of each new plan year. Deductibles reset, copays can change, and employers sometimes switch plans or insurers, so the answers you received last year may no longer apply.
For reference, the session fees are listed on rates and insurance: individual therapy is 60 minutes at $200, couples or family therapy is 60 minutes at $250, and a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation is 60 minutes at $250.
Before You Start
Questions to Ask Your Plan
The phone number for member services is usually on the back of your insurance card, and many plans also have an online member portal. When you contact them, it helps to ask specifically about outpatient mental health benefits, sometimes called behavioral health benefits. These are often listed separately from medical benefits and can have different rules.
Useful questions include: Do I have outpatient mental health coverage? Is Athena Metos, LMFT in network for my specific plan? Is there a copay or coinsurance for each session, and how much is it? Do I have a deductible, how much of it have I already met this year, and does it apply to mental health visits? Is there a limit on the number of sessions covered per year? Do I need a referral or prior authorization before starting? Are telehealth sessions covered the same way as in-person sessions?
If you are hoping to attend couples or family sessions, ask about that too. Plans vary in how they handle sessions that involve more than one person. Writing down the name of the person you spoke with, the date and the answers you received can save confusion later.
It is also worth knowing that using insurance usually means a diagnosis is submitted to your plan as part of billing. Some people are comfortable with that and some prefer to pay directly. Either choice is reasonable, and you can ask about it during your first contact.
Out of Network
Superbills for Out-of-Network Plans
If your plan is not one of the four Introspect accepts, you still have options. Many plans offer some out-of-network benefits, meaning they may reimburse part of the cost of seeing a provider outside their network. In that case, you pay the session fee directly, and Athena can provide a superbill on request.
A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes the information insurers typically need to process a reimbursement claim: the provider's credentials, the dates and type of service, and the fees paid. You submit it to your insurer yourself, following their process. Some plans reimburse a percentage of the fee after a separate out-of-network deductible is met; others do not reimburse at all.
Because reimbursement is decided entirely by your plan, it is wise to ask them before you start: Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits? What percentage is reimbursed? Is there a separate deductible? How do I submit a claim, and how long does it take?
Keeping copies of your superbills and any correspondence with your plan makes it easier to follow up if a claim is delayed or denied. Many insurers also let you track claims through their member portal.
Paying Directly
Good Faith Estimates
If you are not using insurance, or are paying out of pocket, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate: a written estimate of the expected cost of your care. You can request one from Athena before starting. It gives you a clear picture of the costs involved so you can plan ahead.
Some people choose to pay directly even when they have coverage, for privacy or flexibility. Others use a health savings or flexible spending account where their plan allows it. The what to expect page covers what happens once you have decided and the first session is booked.
Scheduling
The 24-Hour Cancellation Policy
Introspect has a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let Athena know at least 24 hours before your appointment. Insurance plans generally do not pay for missed sessions, so it is worth keeping the policy in mind when you book.
If you know in advance that a particular week will be difficult, such as a work trip or a school holiday, raising it early makes it easier to find another time rather than canceling close to the appointment.
If you have questions about your specific situation, you can include them in the contact form. Athena replies to inquiries herself. More about fees, the other guides and professional affiliations is on the resources page.
This guide is general information, not a statement of what any plan will pay. Coverage, copays, deductibles and reimbursement are determined by your insurer.
Common Questions
Insurance Questions
- Which insurance plans does Athena accept?
- Select Health, BCBS, UBH and University of Utah Health Plans. Coverage depends on your specific plan, so it is worth confirming your outpatient mental health benefits with your insurer before your first session.
- What if my plan is not on the list?
- You can pay the session fee directly and ask for a superbill, a detailed receipt you can submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Whether and how much your plan reimburses is up to your plan.
- What is a Good Faith Estimate?
- A written estimate of the expected cost of care for people who are not using insurance or are paying out of pocket. You can request one from Athena before starting.
- What happens if I need to cancel?
- Introspect has a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you need to cancel or reschedule, let Athena know at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Start With the Contact Form
Questions about insurance can go straight into the contact form. Send it before anything is scheduled.