Counseling Services Referral List

Once you understand your insurance benefits (explained below), you may wish to consult the Psychology Today website to get some additional information on the therapists / psychiatrists that you are considering. Look under the section "Find a Therapist" and enter the zip-code for the town that you are interested in. Not all providers are listed there but many are. You can learn a bit about the providers that you are interested in, such as their philosophy of working with clients, areas of specialization and specific information on their practice. You can also refine your search by many different categories, including specific issues, treatment orientations, age, faith, or insurances accepted. There are also several local providers we have had good experiences with, who you may consider, listed below.

**If you use a government funded insurance such as medicaid, you can search for providers on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website.

Resources for Finding a Therapist of Color

• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective- Black Virtual Therapist Directory
• Finding a Therapist + Crisis Hotlines + 6 Tips to Find the Best Therapist For You
• National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
• Crisis Text line: If you are a young person of color who is feeling stressed, depressed, or anxious, please know you can text STEVE to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7

How to Determine Your Mental Health Insurance Benefits for an Off-Campus Provider

1. To determine your insurance benefits call the customer service number of the back of your insurance card to speak with a representative. Be prepared to provide them with your insurance ID number [located on the front of your card], your date of birth and your home address. You may also need the name of the primary person on the insurance (e.g., your parent whose name the insurance is under).
2. Tell them that you are looking to see what your coverage is for "mental health benefits for OUTPATIENT in-office treatment". [Note: most insurance plans provide mental health benefits; sometimes referred to as "behavioral health" benefits].
3. There are 2 types of insurance benefits: IN-network and OUT-of-network. You should ask about both.
   1. IN- network​ benefits​ are the benefits provided to you when you use one of the providers recommended by your insurance. They often cover in-network providers at a lower cost to you.
   2. OUT-of-network benefits​ are the benefits to cover a provider NOT on their list of recommended providers. If you opt to see a therapist who is out-of network, you will likely pay the therapist's fee up front and then submit a copy of the bill to your insurance company for reimbursement (the provider may help you with this; ask them). You may also be responsible for the difference between the therapist's fee and the "customary rate" deemed by your insurance company. You should find out from the insurance what their “customary rate” is, and what portion of it they will cover. This should also be clarified with the provider.
4. It is also helpful to have the following questions answered:
   1. Is there a deductible to meet?​ (A deductible is the amount you are responsible to pay, before your insurance will cover your appointment costs.) If so, how much is the deductible; and how much has been met to date?
   2. What is the co-pay or co-insurance?​ This is the amount you will be responsible to pay. Your insurance company will provide you with either an actual dollar amount you will be responsible for [e.g., your co-pay is $20 per appointment]; OR, they will say that they will pay for a certain percentage of the "reasonable and customary rate" and your co-insurance [the amount that you are responsible for] would be the remaining portion [i.e. The insurance pays 80% and your co-insurance is 20%]. It would be important to ask what the “reasonable and customary rate” is.
   3. Is there a session limit per year?​ [Your insurance company may give you an exact number of sessions or they may say "unlimited sessions based on medical necessity."] Ask if it is for the calendar year or another year (e.g., June to May)
   4. Is pre-authorization or referral required before meeting with a therapist?
5. You should then go to your insurance company's website and view their provider list to determine which providers are IN-network in your area.*If you lose your health insurance during the school year you may enroll in the the student health plan. You will be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of the year. Visit First Student College Student Health Insurance website for information on enrolling in the student health plan. 

How To Enroll In The Student Health Plan

If you lose your health insurance during the school year you may enroll in the student health plan. You will be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of the year. Information on enrolling in the student health plan can be found at the following links:

• First Student - College Student Health Insurance
• First Student - Find a Doctor, Hospital, or Lab Center

If you have the student health plan you are eligible for six free teletherapy sessions through BetterHelp.