Insurance & Private Pay
Understanding the cost of therapy is an important part of finding care that works for you.
Help Send Therapy is a private pay practice offering tele-health therapy throughout California. We do not accept insurance or participate in insurance networks.
Depending on your health plan, you may be able to use out-of-network benefits to receive reimbursement for a portion of your session fees. You are responsible for checking with your insurance company to confirm your coverage before beginning care. Reimbursement is not guaranteed.
If you need a practice that accepts your insurance, our Resources page includes recommendations reviewed by our team for alignment with our values and commitment to affirming care.
Why We’re a Private Pay Practice
Our choice to operate as a private pay practice reflects how we want to build and sustain Help Send Therapy: with affirming care, collaborative relationships, and support for the people providing that care.
Care guided by your needs
Our choice to operate as a private pay practice reflects how we want to build and sustain Help Send Therapy: with affirming care, collaborative relationships, and support for the people providing that care.
We recognize the financial barriers
We also recognize that private pay can put therapy out of reach for some people. Using insurance is an important and valid way to access care, and our decision does not diminish the work of affirming clinicians who accept it.
We offer sliding scale options as availability allows and share values-aligned, insurance-accepting practices through our Resources page. We want you to find care that supports both your needs and your financial circumstances.
A sustainable practice for clients and clinicians
Providing thoughtful care involves more than the time spent in a session. Our fees support clinical preparation, ongoing education, administrative support, and fair compensation for our clinicians. We want to build a practice where therapists have the support they need to maintain meaningful, consistent relationships with their clients.
More time and attention for our practice community
Private pay allows us to simplify our billing process and reduce the administrative work associated with insurance participation. This helps us direct our time and resources toward supporting clients, developing our team, and maintaining the kind of practice we want HST to be.
Can I Use Out-of-Network Benefits for Therapy?
Some health plans may reimburse part of the cost of therapy at Help Send Therapy through out-of-network benefits. HST remains a private pay practice: you pay us directly and seek reimbursement through your insurance company.
Check your benefits
Before starting care, contact your insurer to confirm coverage for out-of-network telehealth therapy with your specific Help Send Therapy clinician.
Pay for your sessions
Pay Help Send Therapy directly at your agreed session rate. Your payment to Pay Help Send Therapy is separate from any insurance reimbursement.
Request reimbursement
Request a superbill from Pay Help Send Therapy and submit it according to your insurer’s instructions. Your health plan reviews the claim and determines reimbursement.
Payment note
Please keep in mind: You are responsible for verifying your benefits. Coverage and reimbursement are not guaranteed and depend on your plan’s deductible and other requirements. You remain responsible for your full agreed session fee, even if your insurer denies reimbursement.
What to Ask Your Insurance Company
Before starting therapy at Help Send Therapy, contact the member services number on your insurance card. These questions can help you understand your out-of-network mental health benefits and potential costs.
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• Does my plan include out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits?
• Does that coverage include telehealth with the specific Help Send Therapy clinician I plan to see?
• Is the type of therapy I’m seeking covered?
• Do I need a referral or prior authorization?Ask Help Send Therapy for your clinician’s billing information if your insurer needs it to answer these questions.
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• Do I have an out-of-network deductible, and how much remains?
• When does that deductible reset?
• How will eligible therapy expenses count toward it? -
• What reimbursement rate applies after any deductible?
• Is reimbursement based on the therapist’s full fee or my plan’s allowed amount?
• Can you estimate reimbursement for the specific service and clinician?Ask your insurer to explain the amount you would still be responsible for paying.
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• Can I submit a superbill, and is a separate claim form required?
• What information and supporting documents do you need?
• Where do I submit my claim, and what is the deadline?
• How long does processing usually take?Keep a record of the conversation, including the date and any reference number provided.
Reimbursement Options by Insurance Plan
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
Including Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross: we provide superbills for you to submit directly. HST does not register with BCBS or submit these claims through Thrizer. Before starting care, confirm whether your plan reimburses services from clinicians who are not registered with it.
Other eligible plans
Thrizer may help you submit claims and receive reimbursement, depending on your plan. Service fees may apply.
*Benefits-checker results are estimates. Coverage and reimbursement are not guaranteed.
Therapy Fees & Sliding Scale
Understanding the cost of care can help you decide whether HST fits your needs and budget. Explore our current therapy fees and payment information before getting started.
We also offer a limited number of sliding scale appointments. If our standard fees are out of reach, you’re welcome to submit a request for consideration.
Need a Therapist Who Accepts Insurance?
If using insurance is essential to accessing therapy, our Resources page can help you explore other options.
Find insurance-accepting practices reviewed by the HST team for alignment with our values, including LGBTQIA+-affirming, culturally responsive, and neurodiversity-affirming care.
Contact each practice to confirm your specific insurance plan, clinician availability, and fit.
Insurance & Private Pay FAQs
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No. HST is a private pay practice. You can receive therapy without insurance or choose not to seek insurance reimbursement.
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Yes. We can provide a superbill upon request for you to submit directly to your insurer. Confirm your plan’s requirements before relying on reimbursement.
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You remain responsible for your agreed session fee. Contact your insurer for the reason for denial and any appeal options. HST cannot guarantee reimbursement.
Questions About Getting Started?
Our free 15-minute admin consult is a chance to discuss fees, payment options, therapist availability, and next steps.