Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for Therapy

Finding a therapist in Chicago can be a difficult process, and confusion about how to use your insurance benefits often makes things harder. We’re setting out to make this process a little easier by filling you in on everything you need to know about using Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for therapy.

What Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois cover for therapy?

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois of Illinois cover therapy?

Yes, BCBSIL does cover mental health treatment in many cases [1]. The exact details of your coverage will depend on your plan, so be sure to consult your plan documents for specifics.

You can also find out more by contacting BCBSIL through your online member account or by calling the number on the back of your insurance card.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois cover couples therapy?

Sometimes. Some plans do provide coverage for couples therapy. However, coverage for couples therapy is generally less common than coverage for individual therapy.

To find out whether your plan covers couples therapy, you can check your plan documents, or get in touch with BCBSIL member services for more information.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois cover online therapy?

Yes, many BCBSIL plans include access to Virtual Visits [2], an online service that provides behavioral health support by appointment.

Note, however, that not every therapist who is within network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois is signed up through Virtual Visits, so you should double check with your therapist and/or plan documents.

Some plans may also cover online sessions with other therapists outside of Virtual Visits.

What mental health services does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois cover?

Different BCBSIL plans cover different kinds of mental health services, so it’s important to confirm your coverage before scheduling an appointment with a therapist.

Especially if you’re interested in seeing specialist, it’s often best to call the number on the back of your insurance card to learn more about what kinds of services your plan covers.

What should I do if my child needs therapy and I have a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan?

If your child needs therapy and you have a BCBSIL plan, you may be able to use your insurance for your child’s treatment. Your course of action will depend on your child’s individual needs, as well as the details of your plan.

Visit the BCBSIL Individuals and Families page [3] to learn more about individual and family coverage. You can also consult your plan documents to learn about the kind of coverage that your exact plan covers.

How much does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois reimburse for out-of-network therapy sessions?

Although there are no copays when you use an out-of-network doctor or facility, in those cases you’re responsible for paying a percentage of the total bill. This portion is called the coinsurance. This is usually much higher than your in-network copay amount. The amount that BCBSIL will reimburse for out-of-network therapy depends on the details of your plan.

For details about your specific coverage, it’s best to contact BCBSIL and ask for more information. You can contact the company by logging into your member account on their website, or you can call the number on the back of your insurance card.

How much is therapy with a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois plan?

The cost of therapy with BCBSIL depends on your plan, deductible, and therapist rates per session. Here is a breakdown of the three tiers of coverage, as well as brief estimations of what therapy costs for each:

Therapy cost with a BCBS Bronze Insurance Plan

If you’re enrolled in the BCBS Bronze Insurance Plan, you are responsible for at least 40% of the cost of care, after meeting your deductible. That means if your therapist charges $150 per session, you’re responsible for paying $60 per session, and BCBSIL will pay the remaining $90.

Therapy cost with a BCBS Silver Insurance Plan

If you’re enrolled in the BCBS Bronze Insurance Plan, you are responsible for at least 30% of the cost of in-network therapy, after meeting your deductible. That means if your therapist charges $150 per session, you’re responsible for paying $45 per session, and BCBSIL will pay the remaining $105.

Therapy cost with a BCBS Gold Insurance Plan

If you’re enrolled in the BCBS Bronze Insurance Plan, you are only responsible for around 20% of the cost of in-network therapy, after meeting your deductible. That means if your therapist charges $150 per session, you’re responsible for paying $30 per session, and BCBSIL will pay the remaining $120.

Please note that these numbers, while based on plan details, are just estimates. To get the fuller scope of how much your therapy sessions will cost, you will want to check your deductible (how much you pay at each session before your health insurance benefits apply) and exact copay or coinsurance rates.

Contact BCBSIL through your online member account, or call the number on the back of your insurance card to get the accurate details about therapy cost with your plan.

What is my copay for therapy with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois?

Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois plans have copays averaging $15 - $50 per session for in-network therapy appointments (as stated above).

That said, the amount of your copay depends on the details of your specific plan. For more information about your particular coverage, check your plan documents, contact BCBSIL through your online member account, or call the number on the back of your insurance card.

What is my deductible for therapy with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois?

A deductible is the amount that you pay per year before your insurance company begins covering your treatment costs. The exact amount of your deductible will vary depending on your plan. You can check your plan documents to find out what your deductible is. Additionally, you can call the number on the back of your insurance card or log into your online member account with BCBSIL to get more information about your deductible.

What happens if I don’t use a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois therapist?

If you don’t use a BCBSIL therapist, you’ll be responsible for navigating out-of-network benefits. The best way to fully understand your out-of-network coverage is to call BCBS directly. The number for member services is typically on the back of your insurance card.

When you call BCBSIL, be sure to ask:

What is my annual deductible?
Do I have an additional out-of-network deductible?
What is my coinsurance for outpatient mental health?
Do I need a referral from a primary care physician or an in-network therapist to see an out-of-network therapist?
How do I submit out-of-network claims for reimbursement?

Claims and Reimbursements for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois:

How long do you have to submit a health insurance claim with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois?

Different BCBSIL plans may have different deadlines for submitting health insurance claims.

In general, it’s always best to complete claims as soon as you can. For more information on the claims process, you can also contact BCBSIL through your online member account, or call the number on the back of your insurance card

How do I complete Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois claims for therapy?

You can find complete instructions for submitting BCBSIL claims by filling out a claims form [4].

When you file a claim, make sure to include all relevant invoices and/or receipts for the treatment you received. You can also check the status of a claim through your online member account.

What is the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois claims address?

The claims address for BCBSIL is:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

P.O. Box 805107

Chicago, IL 60680-4112

How can I get therapy if I don’t have insurance?

If you want to find a therapist but you don’t have insurance, you can see a therapist who is out-of-network.

What is the phone number for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois 24-hour line?

The best way to get in touch with BCBSIL member services is by calling the number on the back of your insurance card. Members with certain plans can also get in touch with a medical provider anytime by calling the 24-Hour Nurse Line at 1-800-765-7298.

For Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Providers:

How can I become a mental health provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois?

To find instructions on becoming a mental health provider for BCBSIL, you can refer to the company’s website for application information [5].

You can find the provider login portal for BCBSIL on the BCBSIL website [6].