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Using your insurance for online therapy in California

I am in-network with the plans below, so for most clients a session costs only their copay. I verify your benefits before we start, and I will tell you the exact number before your first session.

Melissa Baker Jones, PsyD, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist · California License MFC 51801

Book a free 15-minute call Call or text (949) 203-5655

In-network plans

If your card shows one of these names, you can most likely see me at your plan's regular mental health copay or coinsurance.

Aetna

In-network for outpatient mental health, including telehealth.

Anthem Blue Cross

In-network, including Anthem employer plans and Covered California Anthem PPO and EPO plans. Carelon Behavioral Health manages behavioral benefits for many Anthem plans.

Blue Shield of California

In-network for Blue Shield employer and individual plans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

In-network for members who live or work in California.

Carelon Behavioral Health

In-network. Carelon administers mental health benefits for a number of employer and health plans.

Cigna

In-network, including plans administered by Evernorth Behavioral Health.

Lyra Health

An employer mental health program. If your company offers Lyra, a set number of sessions is usually fully covered with no copay. Ask for me by name when you request care.

Magellan

In-network for Magellan-administered behavioral health benefits.

Modern Health

An employer program like Lyra. Sessions are usually covered by your employer at no cost to you up to your plan limit.

Optum

In-network. Optum administers behavioral health for United Healthcare and many other plans.

Oxford

In-network for Oxford Health Plans members.

Quest Behavioral Health

In-network for Quest-administered behavioral benefits.

United Healthcare

In-network, including UHC employer and individual plans with behavioral health through Optum.

Plan names change and employers switch networks, so if you are not sure, send me the name on your card on the free call and I will check. Please do not send insurance details through the website form; share them on the call or through the secure client portal afterward.

Private pay

$140 per 50-minute session. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. If your plan is not on the list but has out-of-network benefits, I provide a monthly superbill you can submit for partial reimbursement. Private-pay clients receive a Good Faith Estimate of costs, as required by the No Surprises Act.

Some people choose private pay even when they have insurance, because it keeps a diagnosis off their insurance record and gives us full flexibility in how we work. Either way is fine with me.

How to check your coverage in five minutes

  1. Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card.
  2. Ask: "Do I have outpatient mental health benefits for telehealth, and what is my copay or coinsurance?"
  3. Ask: "Do I have a deductible that applies to mental health, and how much is left this year?"
  4. Ask: "Is Melissa Baker Jones, LMFT, in-network for my plan?" My license number is MFC 51801 if they ask.
  5. Or skip all of that and let me verify it for you after the free call. Most clients do.

Employer programs: Lyra Health and Modern Health

Many California employers, including a lot of tech, finance and healthcare companies, offer Lyra Health or Modern Health as a benefit. These programs typically cover a set number of therapy sessions per year at no cost to you, separate from your health insurance. If you have one, log in to the program, request care, and ask for me by name. If I am not showing as available, tell me on the free call and I will sort it out.

Insurance and payment questions

What will a session actually cost me with insurance?
Usually your plan's copay or coinsurance for an outpatient mental health visit, which for many plans is somewhere between $0 and $50. If your plan has a deductible that applies to mental health, you pay the contracted rate until it is met. I verify your specific benefits before the first session and tell you the number in plain English.
How do I check my own coverage?
Call the member services number on the back of your card and ask four things: Do I have outpatient mental health benefits for telehealth? What is my copay or coinsurance? Do I have a deductible that applies, and how much is left? Is Melissa Baker Jones, LMFT, in-network? Or skip that and let me check for you on the free call.
Do you take Kaiser, Medi-Cal or Medicare?
I am not currently in-network with Kaiser, Medi-Cal or Medicare. If you have one of those plans you are welcome to see me at the private-pay rate of $140 per session.
My plan is not on the list. Can I still see you?
Yes. Many PPO plans reimburse part of the cost of an out-of-network therapist. You pay $140 per session, I give you a monthly superbill, and you submit it to your insurer. Call your plan and ask about out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits to learn what they reimburse.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes. Therapy is an eligible expense, and I accept HSA and FSA cards for private-pay sessions and copays.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
Under the federal No Surprises Act, clients who are not using insurance have the right to a written estimate of expected costs before starting care. I provide one to every private-pay client, and you can request one at any time.
Is there a difference between using insurance and paying privately?
Insurance requires a mental health diagnosis on each claim and the insurer can review records. Private pay keeps everything between us and gives us more flexibility in how we work. Both are legitimate choices; I am happy to talk through which suits you.

Not sure what your plan covers? I will check for you.

Book a free 15-minute call. Tell me the name on your card and what is going on, and I will come back with the exact cost of a session and whether we are a good fit.

Book a free 15-minute call Call or text (949) 203-5655

Melissa Baker Jones, PsyD, LMFT, California License MFC 51801.

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