Marriage counseling is often a very important part of sustaining a relationship, so having access to it can be crucial for couples who are struggling. Knowing in advance whether or not their insurance plan covers this type of service can help them make an informed decision about pursuing professional assistance.
Contrary to popular belief, divorce rates in the US have been declining for the last 3 years, and we are now seeing the lowest divorce rates in nearly half a century.
There is some debate surrounding the reason for the recent decline, but experts give credit to two factors. First, younger generations are waiting longer to get married, and secondly, couples aren’t using marriage as a way to stabilize rocky relationships.
While the latest marriage trends are warming the hearts of the romantics in all of us, divorce rates are still lingering between 40% to 50%. Sorry to ruin this magical moment. However, there is a silver lining.The stigma surrounding couples counseling is pretty much nonexistent at this point, and more couples are seeking out therapy to salvage their marriage. While saving your marriage may be priceless, we’re still going to help you get a general idea of marriage counseling costs.
Is Marriage Counseling Covered by Insurance?
Although insurance policies typically do not cover marriage counseling, if a person is diagnosed with a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety, their insurance may provide coverage for therapy sessions. This can allow for access to a therapist who can help them address the issues in the relationship and create individualized plans of action that are likely to be beneficial. Additionally, many employers offer extended benefits packages that include access to mandated counseling services.
While marriage counseling is not covered by insurance, insurance coverage may include family therapy. Family therapy is designed to address the needs of all individuals in a family unit, providing them with a safe and supportive space to express their concerns and devise plans to work through problems together. This type of counseling could be immensely beneficial for couples who are struggling to find common ground or need external support in order to better understand one another.
When it comes to family counseling, many health insurance providers offer some form of coverage. However, the specifics of what is covered and how much coverage will depend on the specific plan. For example, some plans may provide complete coverage while others may only cover a portion of the cost or require a deductible or copay. It’s important to check with your insurance provider to get an understanding of what coverage is available before seeking counseling services. Medicare coverage of family counseling can vary widely, depending on the type of plan. For example, most Original medicare plans do not cover any mental health services, including family counseling. However, some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited coverage for family counseling sessions. It's important to check with your insurance provider in order to understand what coverage is available. Additionally, there may be additional state-funded programs available that offer financial assistance for counseling services.
If you are curious to find out whether you're eligible for Medicare or family counseling, you can call our experienced agents at 858-284-1685 or enter your zip code here to get quotes instantly!
Family therapy has been successful in resolving conflicts parents have within their relationship, along with any child behaviors that may put a strain on marriages. This may be a good first step before seeking out marriage counseling.
If you really want to push the lines, you can seek a therapist who is willing to see you and your partner. Many therapists have experience working with couples, but it’s also worth noting that you may not get the same quality of counseling you would from an experienced marriage therapist.
Other Options When Insurance Doesn't Cover Marriage Counseling
If insurance does not cover marriage counseling, there are several alternative options to consider besides family therapy mentioned above. One example is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides free short-term counseling services to employees through their place of work. Additionally, some health insurance policies may provide low-cost coverage for [mental health-related counseling](https://coverageguru.com/medicare/tools-and-resources/mental-health-insurance-does-insurance-cover-therapy), so it's worth looking into any options that may be available. Other alternatives include seeking out sliding scale fees from local community mental health centers or searching for discounted packages offered by private practitioners.
Does your reasoning for seeking marriage counseling impact if your insurance will cover your therapy?
Generally, insurance companies will not consider the reasons behind a person's decision to seek marriage counseling when deciding if they should cover the cost of therapy sessions. While there may be various motivations behind a couple's decision to seek such services, insurance typically dictates that any form of marital counseling is not eligible for coverage. However, certain extended benefit plans may provide some assistance in this area.
Is Marriage counseling Covered By Tricare?
No, family therapy is covered under Tricare, but couples counseling is not. Just like with most health insurance plans, Tricare only covers behavioral health. Most likely, your Tricare provider will just point you in the direction of affordable marriage counseling that you would have to pay for out-of-pocket.
Can I Use My Health Savings Account To Pay For Marriage Counseling?
You can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for marriage counseling, but you will probably have to pay taxes for the money you withdraw.
You can learn more about eligible expenses for your HSA here, but in short, since marriage counseling is not considered a mental health service, it is not considered an eligible HSA expense. Since you put money into your HSA tax-free, the sole purpose of your funds must be for medical expenses. If you take any money out for purposes other than eligible medical expenses, you will have to pay taxes on it.
How Much Does It Cost To See A Marriage Counselor?
Marriage counseling will typically run you anywhere from $50 per session on the low end, to over $200 per session on the higher end. It really depends on the quality of care you are seeking, and the experience of the counselor you go with. On average, couples go to 12 counseling sessions, which means you will be spending anywhere from $600 to over $2400 total, so marriage counseling costs can add up.
It’s safe to say that finding affordable couples counseling isn’t so farfetched. While you always want to choose the best option for the sake of your marriage, there are quality options that won’t break the bank.
For example, someone who is just starting out in the industry, like a counseling intern or early career clinician, you may get away with paying around $40 per session. Make sure to shop around and do your research if you truly want to find affordable marriage counseling.
Is Couples Counseling Worth It?
Yes, even if you’re in a happy, healthy, loving relationship, you can benefit from couples counseling. Couples therapy can help resolve bubbling issues before they overflow, and create a safe and open communication channel leading to a long and healthy marriage.
If you’re going through a rough patch with your partner, it’s also a good idea to seek counseling. The mistake you don’t want to make is waiting too long. If you want a real chance at working through your marital problems, the worst thing you can do is wait until your marriage is already deteriorating.
At the end of the day, this question can really only be answered by you. Ask yourself this simple question, “Do I want to work on my marriage?” If you answered yes, then seeing an experienced, unbiased professional is definitely worth it.
What Is The Success Rate Of Marriage Counseling?
Define success. If you look at the numbers, about 25% of couples report they saw their relationship deteriorate after couples counseling, and around 38% of couples end up divorcing within a few years of marriage counseling, but there's more to it.
Is your goal to solve all your marriage problems? Are you looking for the courage to end your marriage? Successful marriage counseling may not save your marriage, but it will give you the results that work best for you.
The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists have done research on success rates and found about 97% of couples got the help they were looking for. However, the help they were looking for may not lead to a successful marriage. If the problems are too big to overcome, like infidelity, for example, therapy can give you and your partner the tools to walk away amicably.
Key Takeaways
While marriage counseling is not typically covered by insurance, many insurers will provide benefits for family therapy and other mental health related treatments. Depending on the insurance policy, these services may be partially or fully covered, providing a viable way for couples to obtain financial assistance for their treatment. Additionally, it can be beneficial to check with an insurance provider prior to seeking out counseling services to ensure that the costs are covered.
It is also worth exploring any alternative options such as employee assistance programs, low-cost health insurance plans, sliding scale fees from local community mental health centers or discounted packages offered by private practitioners. Understanding the cost of therapy upfront can be beneficial in helping couples decide if marriage counseling is a viable option for them. It also allows for better preparation financially and can help to ensure that couples receive adequate treatment to improve their relationship.
Coverage Guru can be a great resource for couples whose insurance does not cover marriage counseling. Coverage Guru provides free, no-obligation quotes on health insurance plans and other policies, allowing couples to compare different options and find the most economical plan that meets their needs. Additionally, they have an online directory of local providers who offer discounts or sliding scale fees so that couples can receive accessible mental health care services.