Find an Anthem Therapist

How Anthem Mental-Health Coverage Works

Anthem includes mental health benefits in all of its major plan types, but your exact costs depend on which plan you’re enrolled in.

If you have an employer-sponsored or Marketplace PPO/HMO, you’ll usually pay between $0 and $40 per visit for therapy or medication management. There’s no separate mental health deductible—your care is fully integrated with your medical coverage.

Members on a high-deductible health plan (HSA-eligible) get the same coverage, but the timing of cost-sharing is different. You’ll pay the full contracted rate until your deductible is met, then about 20% coinsurance, and eventually the same $0–$40 copay per visit as other plans.

For Anthem Medicare Advantage members, mental health care is even more flexible. Many plans charge $0 for virtual visits through LiveHealth Online and around $15–$40 for in-office sessions. A large number of Advantage plans also waive the copay entirely for virtual therapy and psychiatry visits.

Tip: Always double-check your Evidence of Coverage (EOC), since employer carve-outs and state-specific rules can adjust the details.

Types of Anthem Mental-Health Providers 

Anthem’s network includes a wide range of licensed professionals:

• Therapists and counselors (LCSW, LMFT, LPC) offer weekly talk therapy for stress, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.
• Psychologists (PhD or PsyD) provide therapy and also specialize in psychological testing and advanced modalities such as EMDR or DBT.
• Psychiatrists (MD/DO) handle diagnosis and medication management, especially for more complex mental health conditions.

Many members combine these services—for example, meeting with a therapist weekly while checking in with a psychiatrist quarterly for medication adjustments—all within Anthem’s network.

Real-Life Use Case: How Luis Found a Therapist That Takes Anthem

Luis, a 38-year-old firefighter in Denver, felt creeping anxiety after a string of high-stress shifts. Here’s his 12-day timeline:

1. Day 1 – Portal Login
   Luis opens Anthem.com → Find Care & Cost → Behavioral Health.
   
   
2. Day 1 – SmartMatch Filters
   He chooses “CBT,” “evening hours,” and “virtual.” Five therapists that take Anthem pop up, all with the green “accepting patients” badge.
   
   
3. Day 2 – Cost Check
   The estimator shows his PPO charges $25 for office visits—or $0 for LiveHealth Online video.
   
   
4. Day 3 – First Video Session
   He schedules a Friday evening slot with Dana Gupta, LCSW—an in-network Anthem therapist focused on first-responder stress.
   
   
5. Day 11 – Medication Consult
   Dana suggests an SSRI. Luis books a 30-minute LiveHealth Online session with an Anthem psychiatrist for the next morning (also $0).
   
   

Total time from search to therapy: 3 days. Out-of-pocket: $0 so far.

Step-by-Step: Booking Therapy Through Anthem

1. Log in to Anthem.com or the Sydney Health app. Tap Find Care → Behavioral Health.
   
   
2. Filter by preferences. Choose in-person vs. virtual, specialty (trauma, couples, ADHD), language, evening hours.
   
   
3. Check Costs. Click “Estimate Cost” under each listing; numbers are plan-specific.
   
   
4. Book the Appointment. LiveHealth Online slots can be scheduled inside the portal; office visits require a quick phone call.
   
   
5. Fill Digital Intake Forms. Many clinicians email HIPAA-secure questionnaires—finish them early to avoid delays.
   
   
6. Use Digital Bridges. Until your first visit, explore free Calm or Happify subscriptions included with many Anthem plans.
   
   

In-Network vs. Out-of-Network: 

With Anthem, you’ll almost always save money and hassle by staying in-network. In-network providers give you predictable copays or coinsurance, Anthem files claims for you automatically, and your care is integrated with Anthem’s care-management system so everything stays coordinated.

Going out-of-network is an option if you’re on a PPO plan, but it comes with trade-offs. You’ll need to pay the full fee up front and then submit a claim for partial reimbursement. Out-of-network care can be helpful if you’re looking for a niche specialty that’s hard to find in-network, but it requires more paperwork and usually higher out-of-pocket costs.

Tip: If you can’t secure an in-network appointment within 10 business days, ask Anthem for a “network-deficiency exception.” Under federal parity law, Anthem may approve coverage with an out-of-network clinician at the in-network rate—helping you get timely care without paying extra.

Digital & Telehealth Options

Anthem makes it simple to access mental health care from home through a variety of digital tools and telehealth platforms.

With LiveHealth Online Therapy, you can book secure video visits with licensed therapists and psychologists. Sessions typically cost $0–$40 per visit, and many plans reduce that to $0—especially for virtual care. This option is available across employer, Marketplace, and Medicare Advantage plans.

If you need medication support, LiveHealth Online Psychiatry connects you with psychiatrists for evaluations and follow-up visits. Costs are generally the same as therapy visits—$0–$40 per session, with many plans covering them at no charge.

For self-guided support, Anthem also partners with Happify and iPrevail, offering on-demand CBT modules and coaching at no cost. These are included in many employer plans and can be used anytime as a supplement to live therapy.

Tip: Virtual visits count toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum the same way office visits do. Choosing telehealth won’t change your cost-sharing—it just gives you more flexibility and convenience.

Cost & Coverage 

Your out-of-pocket cost for mental health care under Anthem depends on your plan type and where you receive services.

For employer-sponsored and Marketplace plans, in-office therapy sessions (about 45 minutes) usually cost $0–$40 per visit. An initial psychiatric evaluation is a bit higher, typically $40–$60.

If you’re on a high-deductible plan, coverage works the same way, but you’ll pay the full contracted rate until your deductible is met. After that, therapy and psychiatry visits are usually billed at 20% coinsurance, then shift to standard copays (often $0–$40).

With Anthem Medicare Advantage, therapy sessions generally run $15–$40, while initial psychiatry evaluations are around $20–$50. Many Advantage plans also make LiveHealth Online therapy completely free ($0 copay)—a convenient option for quick access.

Tip: If the first therapist you meet doesn’t feel like the right match, you can easily switch. Just reopen Anthem’s provider directory and book with another in-network clinician. It’s quick, penalty-free, and expected—because finding the right fit is part of the process.

Advocating for Yourself if Wait Times Drag

• Document Calls. Note date, staff name, and “next available” slot.
  
  
• Request Care Coordination. Anthem’s Behavioral Health Concierge can hunt for cancellations.
  
  
• Ask for a Network-Deficiency Waiver. Anthem must ensure timely access under parity law.
  
  
• File a Grievance in the Portal. Plans usually respond within 30 days.
  
  

Remember, polite persistence—with notes—often unlocks faster access to care. 

Additional Low-Cost Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988
  
  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — many Anthem plans add 3–5 free sessions per condition (ie. depression, anxiety, etc.) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Anthem cover therapy?
Yes. Outpatient therapy with in-network licensed clinicians is a core medical benefit; typical copay $0–$40 or 20 % coinsurance after deductible.

Does Anthem cover mental health beyond therapy?
Absolutely—benefits include psychiatric medication management, psychological testing, intensive outpatient, and partial-hospital programs.

How do I find therapists that take Anthem near me?
Log in → Find Care & Cost → Behavioral Health, then filter by ZIP, specialty, and availability.

What’s the difference between an Anthem therapist and an Anthem psychologist?
“Therapist” is an umbrella term (LCSW, LMFT, LPC). “Psychologist” means a PhD/PsyD who can also perform testing. Both are covered if in network.

Are Anthem psychiatrists accepting new patients?
Many are—especially via LiveHealth Online. Use the “Accepting new patients” filter and consider virtual slots.