Why We’re Out of Network, What It Costs, and How to Get Reimbursed

For many LGBTQ+, trans, and gender-expansive people, navigating healthcare has never been a neutral or simple experience. Insurance systems often require labels, diagnoses, and documentation that can feel exposing.

Not to mention, in the current political climate, many of our clients have legitimate concerns about who sees their information, how long it is stored, and how it might be used.

  • We hear you.

  • We have lived this too.

Choosing an out-of-network therapist gives you something many insurance-based clinics cannot offer.

Why Out-of-Network Care Can Be Safer For You

More privacy
Insurance companies usually require a mental health diagnosis for coverage. Out-of-network care allows us to support you without sending clinical information to third parties unless you choose to.
More autonomy
You choose your therapist rather than being limited by networks designed around cost efficiency instead of care quality.
More safety
Your sessions, identity exploration, and personal history stay between you and your therapist, not with insurers who may request treatment notes.
More specialised queer & trans-affirming care
We build therapy around your lived experience, not an insurance company’s requirements for “medical necessity.”
More control over your pace
Insurance can limit session frequency or end coverage abruptly. Out-of-network care lets us set a pace that meets your needs rather than a corporation’s budget.
Most clients with PPO plans receive partial reimbursement using a superbill. This means you get privacy and autonomy without losing access to financial support. We guide you through every step.

Why This Matters to Us as a Queer- and Trans-Led Team

Arrive was created by therapists who are LGBTQ+, gender-expansive, and deeply familiar with what it means to navigate systems that were not built with us in mind.

Many of us have personally experienced situations where:

  • our identities were pathologized

  • our information was scrutinised

  • our care was questioned or denied

  • our safety depended on how much we disclosed

Because of this, we are intentional about keeping your information as private as possible while still helping you receive reimbursement.

Using out-of-network reimbursement allows you to access care without letting insurance systems control your treatment or store sensitive identity information beyond what is absolutely required.

We want you to receive care without risking your privacy or autonomy.

A Simple, Safe Guide To Getting Reimbursed Through Your Insurance

Many insurance plans reimburse for out of network therapy, and most clients find the process simpler than they expect. Here is what it looks like in three clear steps.

1

We send you a superbill each month

After your sessions, we prepare a monthly superbill for you. It includes only the information insurers require:

  • Therapist name and credentials
  • Practice address
  • Tax ID number
  • Diagnosis code for reimbursement
  • Procedure code
  • Session dates and fees

We do not share session notes, personal identity information, or anything about what you discuss in therapy.

2

Log in to your insurance account

Sign in to your insurance member portal on the web or in their app.

  • Go to your insurance company website and sign in
  • Open the claims section
  • Look for “File a claim” or “Submit an out of network claim”
  • Select mental health or behavioral health if needed
3

Upload your superbill and submit

Once you are in the claims section, you can submit your superbill for reimbursement.

  • Choose the option to upload or attach a document
  • Select the superbill PDF we emailed to you
  • Confirm your information and submit the claim
  • Save or screenshot your confirmation

Most clients complete this process in under five minutes each month.

What Happens Next?

  • Most insurance companies review your claim within 2–4 weeks
  • They send reimbursement directly to your bank account or by check
  • You can track your claim status in your insurance member portal

Reimbursement comes to you, not to us. This means you stay in control of your information and your finances.

Insurance and Financial Frequently Asked Questions:

  • As an out-of-network provider, Arrive Therapy does not directly bill insurance companies. However, we provide clients with a "superbill" - an itemized receipt containing all the necessary details for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.[1] Therapy sessions are paid upfront, but around 85-90% of our clients use their insurance plan's out-of-network mental health benefits to get reimbursed for a significant portion, if not all, of the therapy costs.[1]

  • Being out-of-network means the insurance company cannot dictate the length or terms of your therapy, nor will they receive any of your private session notes or require an official diagnosis on your record.[1] This protects your privacy and allows for more flexibility in your care. Additionally, you may be able to claim mental health expenses as a tax deduction.

  • The typical session fees at Arrive Therapy are $155, however, some therapists are less and some more, depending on the clinician's level of experience, training, and whether you are seeking individual or joint sessions (e.g., couples or family therapy).[1] Our intake is a 90 minute full bio-psycho-social eval and the cost is $215. You can view our clinicians' specific rates and availability on our openings document or discuss fees during your complimentary 20-minute consultation call.

  • On the 1st of each month, your superbill will be automatically emailed to you. [1] For example, on March 1st, you'll receive the superbill listing all your therapy sessions from February. The superbill contains the necessary codes and information for your insurance company to process reimbursement.[1] Simply download the superbill and submit it to your insurance provider via email, fax, or their online portal.

    Some clients use services like Reimbursify to further streamline the process. Reimbursify allows you to upload your superbill, and they handle filing the claim and follow-ups for a small fee (around $1 per claim).[1]

    More information about Reimbursify is below.

  • Call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask the following questions:[1]

    - Does my plan provide reimbursement for out-of-network mental health care?

    - Is there a separate deductible for out-of-network services?

    - What percentage of out-of-network costs does my plan cover?

    - Do I need pre-authorization for out-of-network services?

    - Is there a limit on the number of reimbursable sessions per year?

    - How do I submit for out-of-network reimbursement?

    This will help you understand your specific out-of-network benefits and reimbursement process.

  • Most insurance plans now cover telehealth under out-of-network mental health benefits, but you can verify by asking if the following codes are covered: 90791-95, 90834-95, and 90837-95.[1]

  • - PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans generally reimburse a portion of out-of-network costs for mental health services once you meet the out-of-network deductible.[1]

    - HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans like Kaiser typically do not provide out-of-network reimbursement unless you obtain a single case agreement.[1]

    - EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) plans typically do not reimburse for out-of-network providers.[1]

    However, it's best to call your insurance to confirm their specific policies.

  • Yes, you can use funds from a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for therapy sessions at Arrive Therapy, just like using a debit or credit card.[1]

  • Reimbursement processing times vary by insurance plan. Call your provider's customer service line to inquire about their typical turnaround.[1]

  • Your insurance company will mail a reimbursement check directly to the mailing address they have on file for you, after you submit the superbill for your out-of-network therapy costs.[1]

    For any other financial or insurance questions, please refer to the Arrive Therapy website or contact their staff directly.[1][2]

  • Reimbursify is a software platform that streamlines the process of submitting claims and getting reimbursed by insurance companies for out-of-network therapy sessions. It allows Arrive Therapy's clients to easily verify their coverage upfront, submit claims with minimal effort, and track reimbursements, potentially improving client retention. By automating the claims process, Reimbursify eliminates extra work for Arrive Therapy's therapists while helping clients access out-of-network care more conveniently.

  • [1] https://arrivetherapy.com/insurance

    [2] https://arrivetherapy.com/meet-the-team

    [3] https://www.meetnirvana.com/blog/maximize-out-of-network-insurance-reimbursement-for-therapy

    [4] https://blog.zencare.co/guide-to-out-of-network-benefits/

    [5] https://www.joinheard.com/articles/the-complete-guide-to-out-of-network-billing-for-therapists

    [6] https://blog.opencounseling.com/out-of-network-therapist-tips/

    [7] https://www.folxhealth.com/library/superbills-for-therapy-how-to-navigate-out-of-network-benefits

Book a free consult or your first appointment

Talk with an LGBTQ identified therapist now

We do a lot more than gender affirming care.

We are founded with the belief that all people deserve the freedom to express their gender how they choose. To that end, we provide a range of services to serve anyone of trans experience, and their friends, families and partners. You can find help for your gender questioning teen, or a community of people going through your same struggles in groups, you can tackle your questions around your sexuality, and you will always find every session grounded in a solid foundation of general mental health.

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