Typical Costs for Mental Health Care with Oscar Insurance
Oscar plans include outpatient mental health services—both therapy and psychiatry—with no yearly session limits. What you’ll pay depends on your plan type, whether you’ve met your deductible, and whether you choose in-person or virtual visits.
If you’re on a Bronze high-deductible plan, you’ll usually pay the full cost of therapy or psychiatry until your deductible is met. After that, visits are covered in full, and virtual therapy is often $0 once the deductible is satisfied.
With Silver Saver or Silver Classic plans, therapy sessions typically cost around $30–$40 after your deductible, while virtual therapy is usually a bit lower—often $0–$30 per session. The same rates apply to psychiatric evaluations.
Members on a Gold Classic plan enjoy lower costs, with in-office therapy sessions around $15–$25 and virtual visits often $0–$20.
If you have a Platinum plan, you’ll pay the least—therapy and psychiatry often cost just $0–$15 in person, and many plans make virtual visits completely free.
For those with a small-group EPO plan, therapy and psychiatry usually run about $20–$30 per visit, whether in-office or online.
Important Notes:
- No referral required — you can book directly with a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
- Unlimited sessions — as an essential health benefit, mental health visits aren’t capped annually.
- Virtual care parity — telehealth usually costs the same or less than in-person visits, and many Oscar plans offer $0 virtual visits with their preferred telehealth partners.
- Large provider network — Oscar members can access thousands of licensed clinicians through the Optum/Headway network in states where Oscar is available.
Oscar Health In-Network Mental Health Provider Types
Oscar’s network includes a wide range of licensed professionals, giving you flexibility to find the right kind of support.
- Therapists and counselors (LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCs): These providers offer weekly talk therapy, practical coping strategies, and often work with couples or families. They’re a common first stop for managing stress, anxiety, depression, or life transitions.
- Psychologists (PhD or PsyD): Psychologists can provide therapy but also specialize in testing and advanced treatment methods, including trauma-focused care and CBT for more complex conditions. They’re a great option if you need diagnostic evaluations or highly structured therapy.
- Psychiatrists (MD/DO): As medical doctors, psychiatrists are trained to diagnose and prescribe medication, making them essential for cases that involve medication management, complex symptoms, or conditions that haven’t responded to therapy alone.
No matter which type of provider you choose, all three are billed under the same outpatient mental-health benefit, meaning your cost share stays the same.
Real-Life Example: How Mila Found an Oscar Health Therapist
- Day 1 – Mila logs into the Oscar app and taps Find Care → Mental Health. Eight therapists that take Oscar insurance appear within ten miles.
- Day 1 – She filters for “Telehealth,” “CBT,” and “evening hours.” Three remain, all marked Accepting new patients.
- Day 2 – Cost estimator shows $0 for virtual therapy, $25 for an office visit (Silver Saver plan).
- Day 3 – Mila schedules a Thursday 8 p.m. video session with Jenna Lee, LCSW—an in-network therapist Oscar insurance covers. Copay: $0.
- Day 10 – Jenna recommends a low-dose SSRI. Mila books a 30-minute video consult with an Oscar psychiatrist for the next afternoon (also $0).
Time from search to first session: three days. Out-of-pocket to date: $0.
How to Find an In-Network Therapist with Oscar
- Sign in to your Oscar account using the app or member portal, or call the Concierge number listed on your ID card.
- Select “Find Care” → “Mental Health.”
- Use filters to narrow results by ZIP code, telehealth or in-person visits, specialty (e.g., trauma, ADHD, couples therapy), preferred language, and availability on evenings or weekends.
- Check for the “In Network” badge to make sure the provider is covered by your plan.
- Preview your cost using the built-in estimator to see your copay or deductible.
- Book your session directly in the app for virtual visits, or call the provider’s office to schedule in-person care.
- Complete any required intake forms sent by the provider before your first appointment.
Your Virtual Mental Health Care Options with Oscar
- Headway + Oscar: Access licensed therapists and psychiatrists for video sessions from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Many Oscar plans offer these visits with a $0 copay.
- Oscar Virtual Primary Care: Your virtual PCP can evaluate symptoms and prescribe first-line medications for anxiety or depression—helpful while you're waiting to see a mental health specialist.
- Phone-Only Sessions: If video isn’t possible, phone sessions are available and cost the same as virtual visits.
What to Do If You Face Long Wait Times
- Track every interaction: Write down the date, staff name, and next available appointment each time you call a provider. This documentation can help if you need to escalate.
- Contact Oscar Concierge: Reach out through the app or member portal. The Concierge team can view real-time cancellations through Headway and help you find sooner openings.
- Request a network adequacy exception: If no in-network appointment is available within 10 business days, ask Oscar to approve an out-of-network provider at in-network rates.
- File a formal complaint: If delays persist, submit a member complaint. Oscar is required to respond and offer alternative solutions.
FAQ’s
Does Oscar cover therapy?
Yes. Outpatient therapy and psychiatric visits are essential benefits on every Oscar plan. Copays range from $0 to about $40, depending on the metal tier and whether the deductible is met.
How do I find therapists that take Oscar insurance near me?
Use the Oscar app’s Find Care tool, enter your zip code, and choose “Mental Health.” Filter by Accepting patients or Telehealth for faster options.
Are Oscar psychiatrists accepting new patients?
Many are, especially through Headway’s video network. Use the telehealth filter and the Accepting patients tag for real-time availability.
Will my virtual session count toward my deductible?
Yes. Telehealth visits apply to the same deductible and out-of-pocket maximum as office visits.