Find a GEHA Therapist

How GEHA Mental-Health Coverage Works

GEHA offers several plan options under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, and each covers therapy and psychiatry a little differently.

With the High Option, you’ll pay a $20 copay per office visit, while MDLIVE video therapy and psychiatry are $0with unlimited sessions. There’s no deductible for office-based care.

The Standard Option is similar: $20 per office visit and $0 for MDLIVE video sessions. An added benefit is that your first five prenatal and postpartum visits are completely free, which can be especially valuable for new parents.

If you’re enrolled in Elevate or Elevate Plus, your office copay is even lower at $10 per visit, and MDLIVE video therapy remains $0. These plans are designed to offer the lowest up-front costs for regular care.

For those with a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), costs work differently. You’ll pay 5% coinsurance after meeting your deductible for in-office visits. For MDLIVE, you’ll pay the negotiated rate until your deductible is met, but after that, GEHA reimburses 100% of the cost. Many members use their HSA funds to cover early-year expenses until they reach the deductible.

Tip: All four options give you access to unlimited $0 telehealth visits through MDLIVE, which can be the fastest and most affordable way to start therapy or psychiatry care with GEHA.

Coverage highlights

• Unlimited visits. GEHA doesn’t cap the number of sessions as long as they’re medically necessary.
  
• No referrals. You can book a mental-health visit directly; the primary-care doctor isn’t a gatekeeper.
  
• Telehealth parity. Video appointments with MDLIVE therapists and psychiatrists cost the same—or less—than office visits, and are $0 for every option except HDHP before the deductible.
  
• Nationwide network. GEHA borrows UnitedHealthcare’s Choice Plus and Optum Behavioral networks, so you can see providers in all 50 states—even if you PCS or retire abroad.

GEHA’s Mental-Health Provider Types

GEHA covers a wide range of licensed mental health professionals, so you can choose the type of provider that best fits your needs.

• Therapists and counselors (LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCs): These clinicians offer weekly talk therapy, family counseling, and coping-skills training. They’re often the best first stop if you want consistent, supportive sessions.
• Psychologists (PhD or PsyD): In addition to therapy, psychologists specialize in testing and advanced modalitieslike CBT, EMDR, or DBT. They’re often the right choice if you need a formal evaluation or trauma-focused treatment.
• Psychiatrists (MD/DO): As medical doctors, psychiatrists focus on diagnosis and medication management, especially for complex or medication-dependent conditions.

All three types of providers appear in GEHA’s online directory as well as on the MDLIVE telehealth platform. They’re covered in exactly the same way—the only difference is your copay or coinsurance, depending on which GEHA plan you’re enrolled in.

Real-Life Use Case: How Ryan Found a Therapist That Takes GEHA

Profile: Ryan, 44, Department of Agriculture analyst, GEHA High Option member

• Day 1 – Search & Filter
  Logs in at geha.com → Find Care → Behavioral Health, then applies filters Telehealth | CBT | Evening hours. Three GEHA-network therapists appear, all accepting new patients.
  
  
• Day 2 – Confirm Costs
  GEHA directory shows $0 copay for MDLIVE video visits and $20 for in-office sessions.
  
  
• Day 3 – First Session Booked
  Schedules a Thursday 7 p.m. video appointment with Jordan Lee, LCSW, an in-network GEHA therapist.
  
  
• Day 12 – Medication Consult
  After two therapy sessions, Jordan suggests a low-dose SSRI. Ryan books a 30-minute MDLIVE consult with a GEHA psychiatrist for the next afternoon—copay $0.
  

Outcome: Ryan moves from search to first therapy session in just three days, spending $0 out-of-pocket to date.

Step-by-Step: Booking Therapy Through GEHA

1. Log in to GEHA.com or call the 800 number on your card.
   Click Find Care → Behavioral Health (no referral needed).
   
   
2. Filter by your preferences.
   Search by ZIP, telehealth vs. office, specialty (trauma, ADHD, couples), language, and evening/weekend hours.
   
   
3. Verify network status.
   Look for “In Network – UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus.” If in doubt, call the office and read them the ID number on your card.
   
   
4. Check the cost.
   The directory’s “Estimate Cost” button shows your exact copay or coinsurance—$0, $10, $20, or 5 %, depending on your option.
   
   
5. Book the appointment.
   MDLIVE slots book inside your GEHA portal or app. For in-office care, call the provider’s number and give the ID on your card.
   
   
6. Fill out the intake forms.
   Most clinicians email HIPAA-secure questionnaires; completing them early avoids day-of delays.

Telehealth Options

GEHA makes it easy to access mental health care from home through its partnership with MDLIVE, which offers therapy and psychiatry visits by video with licensed providers. Appointments are available seven days a week with 24/7 scheduling, making it simple to find a time that works for you.

For members on Elevate, Standard, High, or Medicare Primary plans, MDLIVE telehealth sessions cost $0 per visit. If you’re enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), you’ll pay the negotiated rate until your deductible is met, and then GEHA reimburses the full amount going forward.

If video isn’t possible, audio-only sessions by phone are also allowed and billed the same way—free for most plans and reimbursed after the deductible for HDHP members.

Tip: Just like office visits, telehealth sessions count toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Choosing virtual care won’t cost more—it simply gives you more flexibility and faster access to support.

Comparing Costs Across GEHA Options 

Your out-of-pocket costs with GEHA depend on which plan you choose, but all options make both in-person and virtual mental health care affordable.

If you’re enrolled in Elevate or Elevate Plus, in-office therapy sessions are just $10 per visit, and MDLIVE video therapy is completely free ($0 copay).

With the Standard Option, office visits cost $20, and MDLIVE therapy is also $0. The same applies to the High Option—you’ll pay $20 per office visit, but MDLIVE video sessions remain free and unlimited.

For those with a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), costs are structured differently. You’ll pay 5% coinsurance after meeting your deductible for office visits, while MDLIVE video sessions are billed at the negotiated rate until your deductible is satisfied. After that, GEHA covers them at 100%. Many HDHP members use their Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for early-year expenses until the deductible is met.

Tip: Across all plan types, initial psychiatric evaluations follow the same cost-sharing rules as therapy sessions, so you won’t face a surprise higher bill just for your first visit.

What If You Can’t Find an Appointment Fast Enough?

• Document every call. Note the date, time, staff name, and “next available” slot offered.
  
• Ask for Care Coordination. GEHA’s Customer Care can search cancellations or adjacent ZIP codes.
  
• Request a network-adequacy exception. FEHB rules require timely access; GEHA can approve an out-of-network clinician at in-network rates when necessary.
  
• File a grievance. Use the form in your plan brochure if delays exceed 10 business days for non-urgent care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does GEHA cover therapy?
Yes. Every GEHA option pays for outpatient talk therapy and psychiatric medication management with no yearly visit limit. Copays are $0–$20 (5 % after deductible on HDHP).

How do I find a GEHA therapist near me?
Sign in at geha.com, click Find Care → Behavioral Health, enter your ZIP, and filter for “Accepting patients” or “Telehealth.”

What’s the difference between a GEHA therapist and a GEHA psychologist?
Therapists (LCSW, LMFT, LPC) provide counseling. Psychologists (PhD/PsyD) can also conduct psychological testing. Both bill at the same copay.

Are GEHA psychiatrists accepting new patients?
Many are—especially on the MDLIVE platform, which shows real-time availability and often costs $0.

Will my virtual visit count toward my deductible?
Yes. Telehealth sessions apply to the same deductible and out-of-pocket maximum as in-office visits.