One of the most salient questions I get asked by potential clients at Anger Management 818 is whether we accept insurance. The answer depends on several factors. If the service is therapy and treating a diagnosis that is a medical necessity, insurance will usually cover it. However, most anger management services, especially the ones that satisfy court-ordered anger management, do not meet the requirements for insurance coverage.
If you are looking for an “anger management therapist near me,” one-on-one may be the way to go because most anger management groups are designed to be psycho-educational and do not represent a therapy service. Even if group participants have a diagnosis and a medical necessity, if the service is not therapy and the provider is not a therapist, the group cannot be billed as such.
Anger management and therapy are different; a private class may have a similar setting and price point to therapy sessions, but the service provided is different. To be eligible for insurance coverage, one would need to enroll in therapy, and the treatment related to anger and/or aggression is typically related to the symptom(s) of a diagnosis. Plus, the facilitator would be a therapist, whereas anger management professionals are usually facilitators and non-clinicians.
Anger management group classes do not offer an opportunity for diagnosis and function as a psychoeducation group, not therapy, which insurance does not cover. So, insurance for anger management isn’t a straightforward answer. It depends on the type of anger management sessions, diagnosis, provider, and your health plan benefits. Note that when courts order anger management, they refer to the groups and not therapy. Some court-ordered anger management allows for therapy instead, but the judge will usually specify the requirements and options. If the court order reads anger management classes, it is referring to the psychoeducational groups.
Anger Management 818 therapists are in-network with Aetna and Curative insurance and can bill for therapy sessions when treating an individual’s diagnosis as medically necessary. Court-ordered anger management does not qualify as an acceptable service to bill insurance. Although the counselors at Anger Management 818 do not accept Medi-Cal insurance (California’s Medicaid insurance), we offer competitive pricing for group classes and in-person anger management classes. Our counselors provide anger management therapy for couples and individuals. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) health insurance plans may also receive coverage, often through what is called a superbill. A superbill is a type of receipt that can provide partial reimbursement to the patient of an out-of-network provider.
Even when therapy sessions are eligible for insurance coverage, that does not necessarily mean the entire cost will be covered. Depending on your plan, you may still be responsible for a copay, coinsurance, or deductible. Some plans may also require prior authorization or have limitations on the number of covered sessions. Your insurance company can confirm what your specific plan covers before you begin treatment.
In summary, does my insurance cover anger management? Probably not. Insurance usually covers therapy for a diagnosed condition, and anger is not a diagnosis. The treatment of anger management is different from therapy. If you’re looking to use your insurance to treat a diagnosis, you will want to enroll in therapy and not anger management. The good news is that affordable anger management classes are available.
If you’re unsure what your insurance may cover for anger management treatment, you can reach us at (818) 990-0999 to learn more.
