How EmblemHealth Mental-Health Coverage Works
EmblemHealth offers mental health benefits across Medicaid, Marketplace, Medicare, and retiree plans, with costs that vary by coverage type.
If you’re enrolled in EmblemHealth Medicaid (HIP of New York), all therapy and psychiatry visits are covered at $0 per session, with unlimited medically necessary visits.
On the Essential Plan 1 (Marketplace), members pay about $15 per visit for either therapy or psychiatry. These visits apply to your combined medical deductible, but there’s no cap on the number of sessions.
For Select Care Gold Marketplace HMO members, therapy and psychiatry visits are covered at $25 per visit after the deductible. Both services share the same rate.
If you’re a retiree on the City of New York GHI Senior Care plan, mental health visits carry a $15 copay, keeping costs predictable for ongoing support.
With EmblemHealth Medicare Advantage, therapy and psychiatry are typically $0–$35 per visit, whether you choose in-person or virtual care. Exact copays are listed in your Evidence of Coverage.
Tip: These costs reflect 2025 averages, but always double-check your Summary of Benefits or Medicaid handbook to confirm your exact share.
EmblemHealth Mental Health Coverage highlights
- Unlimited visits. No annual limit when treatment is clinically needed.
- No referral required. You can book directly with a mental-health clinician.
- Telehealth parity. Video visits pay the same as in-person; payment parity extended through 2025.
- Teladoc option. Most plans include Teladoc therapy/psychiatry—often at $0–$25 copay
EmblemHealth Mental-Health Providers Types
EmblemHealth’s network includes a full range of licensed mental health professionals, so you can choose the type of support that fits your needs best.
- Therapists and counselors (LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCs): These providers focus on talk therapy, helping with coping skills, stress, depression, anxiety, and family or relationship concerns.
- Psychologists (PhD or PsyD): In addition to therapy, psychologists provide psychological testing and more advanced, trauma-focused treatments—ideal if you need a diagnostic evaluation or specialized care.
- Psychiatrists (MD/DO): As medical doctors, psychiatrists handle diagnosis and medication management, often working alongside therapists or psychologists to ensure comprehensive care.
All three provider types are listed in EmblemHealth’s online directory and also available through the Teladoc platform. No matter which clinician you choose, billing falls under the same copay tier outlined in your plan.
Real-Life Use Case: How Maira Found a Therapist That Takes EmblemHealth
How Maira Found an EmblemHealth Therapist in 3 Days—At No Cost
Maira, a 30-year-old from Queens, needed mental health support. Here’s how she found care quickly using her EmblemHealth plan:
- Day 1: Maira logged in at emblemhealth.com, navigated to Find Care → Behavioral Health, and saw eight in-network therapists within five miles. She filtered for telehealth, CBT, and evening availability. Three providers remained—all accepting new patients.
- Day 2: Using the cost estimator, Maira confirmed her Essential Plan 1 covered Teladoc video sessions at $0 and in-person visits at $15.
- Day 3: She booked a 7 p.m. video session with Ana Rivera, LCSW, an in-network therapist. Her copay: $0.
- Day 10: After two sessions, Ana recommended an SSRI.
- Day 12: Maira scheduled a 30-minute consult with a Emblem Health psychiatrist through Teladoc for the next morning. Cost: $0.
Total time from search to first therapy session: 3 days. Total out-of-pocket cost: $0.
Step-by-Step: How to Book Therapy with EmblemHealth
- Log in or call Member Services
Go to emblemhealth.com or call the number on your member ID card. Say, “I’d like help finding a mental health provider.”
- Search the provider directory
Use filters to narrow your results by ZIP code, telehealth or in-person care, specialty (e.g., anxiety, trauma, couples therapy), language, and evening or weekend availability.
- Verify the provider is in-network
Look for the “In Network” label—this ensures your sessions will be covered by EmblemHealth.
- Estimate your cost
Use the “Estimate Cost” tool to check your out-of-pocket fees. Depending on your plan and visit type, most sessions range from $0 to $40.
- Choose telehealth for faster access
Teladoc providers often have same-week availability, and virtual sessions may be covered at no cost under many plans.
- Book your appointment and complete intake forms
Submitting forms online in advance helps verify coverage and speeds up the process.
Telehealth Options
EmblemHealth makes it easy to connect with a mental health professional from home through its partnership with Teladoc. Members can schedule video therapy and psychiatry visits between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., with costs ranging from $0 to $25 per session. Many plans now cover these visits at no cost.
If video isn’t possible, audio-only phone sessions are also allowed and billed at the same cost share as a video visit.
Tip: Just like in-person appointments, all virtual visits count toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Choosing telehealth doesn’t change your cost share—it simply gives you more flexibility and faster access to care.
Cost Breakdown
Your cost for therapy or psychiatry with EmblemHealth depends on the plan you have, but most options keep mental health care affordable.
If you’re on Medicaid, all therapy and psychiatry visits are covered at $0, whether you go in person or use Teladoc.
With the Essential Plan 1 (Marketplace), in-office therapy sessions cost about $15, while Teladoc video therapy is free ($0).
For Select Care Gold (Marketplace HMO), therapy visits are $25 after the deductible, and Teladoc sessions usually range from $0 to $25, depending on your plan’s design.
If you’re covered under City of New York GHI Senior Care, both in-office therapy and Teladoc visits carry a $15 copay.
With EmblemHealth Medicare Advantage, costs are typically $0–$35 per visit, whether in person or through Teladoc, for both therapy and psychiatry.
Tip: Psychiatric evaluations bill at the same rate as therapy sessions for every plan, so you won’t face a surprise higher cost for your first visit.
What you can do if you cannot find an appointment within 10 days
If you’re having trouble finding a mental health appointment within a reasonable timeframe, here’s how to take action:
1. Keep a Call Log
For each provider you contact, write down:
- Date of the call
- Name of the staff member
The next available appointment they offered
This record is essential if you need to request an exception or file a complaint.
2. Call EmblemHealth Behavioral Health Customer Service: Use the number on your EmblemHealth ID card and ask for Behavioral Health Customer Service. They can help you check for cancellations or search across neighboring ZIP codes for sooner availability.
3. Request a Network Adequacy Waiver: If no in-network provider has an appointment within 10 business days, you have the right to ask for a network adequacy exception. EmblemHealth may authorize care with an out-of-network provider at in-network rates to ensure timely access.
4. File a Grievance: If delays continue, submit a grievance through your EmblemHealth member portal or by calling Member Services. By law, they must respond within 30 calendar days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does EmblemHealth cover therapy?
Yes. All EmblemHealth plans pay for outpatient therapy and psychiatry with no yearly visit limit. Copays range from $0 (Medicaid, many Teladoc slots) to $40 (some Marketplace office visits).
How do I find an EmblemHealth therapist near me?
Log in → Find Care → Behavioral Health, enter your ZIP, and filter by “Accepting patients” or “Telehealth.”
What’s the difference between an EmblemHealth therapist and an Emblem Health psychologist?
Therapists (LCSW, LMFT, LPC) provide counseling. Psychologists (PhD/PsyD) can also run psychological tests. Both bill at the same copay tier.
Are EmblemHealth psychiatrists accepting new patients?
Many are—especially via Teladoc. Use the telehealth filter and look for “Accepting patients.”
Will my virtual visit count toward my deductible?
Yes. Telehealth sessions apply to the same deductible and out-of-pocket maximum as office visits.