Out-of-Network Therapy Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank: Here’s How
- Tiffany Bentley
- Sep 6
- 4 min read
Understanding Your Options for Therapy Insurance Coverage
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming enough without adding the confusion of insurance to the mix. Many people assume that if their preferred therapist is not listed as in-network, therapy simply isn’t an option. The truth is, if you have out-of-network (OON) benefits, you may already have coverage that could make seeing the right therapist possible.
Tools like Mentaya and Thrizer are designed to simplify this process, so you can focus on healing rather than paperwork.
At Somatic Women, many of our clients come to us because they want trauma-informed care, EMDR therapy, or somatic therapy and can’t find an in-network provider who feels like the right fit. Knowing how to use your OON benefits can open up more choices for your care.
What Are Out-of-Network Benefits?
Out-of-network benefits are part of many insurance plans, though not everyone realizes they have them. Instead of being limited to therapists who are in-network, you can choose the provider you want and your insurance may reimburse part of the cost after you meet your deductible.
For example, let’s say therapy is $175 per session. If your plan covers 80% of OON services after your deductible, your insurance might reimburse $140 per session. That means your true cost could be closer to $35. This is just an example, your actual reimbursement will depend on your specific insurance plan, but it shows how OON benefits can make therapy more affordable than expected.
Why People Avoid Using OON Benefits
If OON coverage is available, why doesn’t everyone use it? The main reason is hassle. Clients are often required to submit paperwork for each session, wait weeks (sometimes months) for reimbursement, and track claims themselves. This creates frustration and makes people give up on getting the care they deserve.
How Mentaya Helps Simplify OON Claims
Mentaya is a platform that automates the out-of-network claims process. Instead of managing stacks of paperwork, Mentaya securely submits claims on your behalf and helps track reimbursements. Clients can check their benefits, see what reimbursement may look like, and let Mentaya handle the process behind the scenes. It takes a lot of stress off your plate so you can stay focused on therapy.
How Thrizer Makes Therapy Payments Easier
Thrizer goes a step further with a feature called Thrizer Pay. Here’s how it works: you only pay your portion of the session fee up front, and Thrizer pays your therapist the full rate. They then wait for reimbursement from your insurance company, so you don’t have to track it or risk losing money in the process. You never lose sight of your funds, and you don’t have to wait weeks for claims to process.
At Somatic Women, we partner with Thrizer so clients can take advantage of this option. You can learn more on our Payment & Insurance page.
Do you have Out-of-Network Coverage
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No
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When It’s Hard to Find an In-Network Therapist: An EMDR Example
EMDR therapy is one of the most effective trauma treatments available, yet many EMDR-trained therapists do not contract with insurance companies. This can leave people feeling stuck: either give up on EMDR or settle for a provider who doesn’t specialize in trauma work.
Here’s where OON benefits make a difference. Imagine you have Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), and you want EMDR. While Somatic Women is in-network with Aetna and UHC, we are out-of-network with BCBS. Through OON benefits, you may still be able to work with us and have your insurance cover a portion of the cost using Mentaya or Thrizer. This allows you to access trauma-informed care without being limited to only in-network therapists.
Other Ways to Use Your Benefits
Don’t forget about Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Both can be used to pay for therapy, giving you tax advantages and more flexibility in how you cover costs. Combined with OON benefits, these tools make therapy more financially accessible.
Exploring Your Options for Therapy Coverage
If you’re unsure whether you have OON benefits, both Mentaya and Thrizer can help you check before you make any decisions. Even if you’ve assumed therapy isn’t covered, it’s worth verifying, you may be surprised at what’s available to you.
At Somatic Women, we believe therapy should be about finding the right fit, not just the right insurance network. Whether you’re seeking EMDR, somatic therapy, or ACT-based approaches, understanding your options gives you the freedom to choose what’s best for your healing.
Ultimately
You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to keep going.
EMDR really isn’t a one-size-fits-all technique, but a powerful, client-centered process rooted in integration, safety, and nervous system healing. It’s not about rushing or reliving trauma. It’s about moving through what’s stuck with care, support, and choice.
You don’t have to do it alone. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to take the next right step for you.
Because ultimately, Light, you’re the keeper of your own knowing. No one else has that kind of power. Shine bright and keep moving forward.
If you want to know more about who I am and what therapy with me looks like, you can learn more here.
Thanks for reading!
About the Author
Tiffany Bentley, LCSW, is the founder of Somatic Women, a virtual therapy practice supporting women in MA, CT, RI, VT, and FL. She integrates EMDR, ACT, and somatic therapies to help women reclaim their voices, restore balance, and live with clarity.
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