Anyone know which NYS insurance companies cover creative art therapy?

I’ve been looking into creative art therapy and trying to figure out if it’s covered by my insurance in New York. I know some companies like EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare might cover it, but I’m wondering if anyone has experience with this? How do I even check if my plan covers it?

Yeah, I’ve looked into it. I’m with Empire BlueCross BlueShield, and they cover creative art therapy, but only under certain plans. You’ll probably need to call your insurance provider to double-check what’s included in your plan.

@Harlyn
Did they make you get a referral or anything? I’ve heard some companies want that for therapy services.

Lex said:
@Harlyn
Did they make you get a referral or anything? I’ve heard some companies want that for therapy services.

Yeah, I had to get a referral from my primary care doctor. It wasn’t too hard, though. Just a quick visit to get it approved.

Lex said:
@Harlyn
Did they make you get a referral or anything? I’ve heard some companies want that for therapy services.

That’s good to know. I’m with UnitedHealthcare, and I think they cover it too, but I’m not sure if I need a referral. Guess I’ll have to check.

I’m with Cigna, and they do cover it as part of their mental health benefits. I had to check the specific plan I’m on, but they do offer it, which is cool. Art therapy has been super helpful for me with managing anxiety.

@Adler
That’s awesome! I’ve been thinking about trying art therapy for stress. Do you know if they cover all types of creative therapy, like painting and sculpting, or is it just certain things?

Van said:
@Adler
That’s awesome! I’ve been thinking about trying art therapy for stress. Do you know if they cover all types of creative therapy, like painting and sculpting, or is it just certain things?

From what I’ve seen, they cover a range of creative therapies, not just painting. I’ve done drawing and collage during my sessions, and those were covered. It’s really about finding what works for you.

I’m with Fidelis Care, and they cover creative art therapy, but only for certain conditions. I had to check my plan and talk to them to make sure I was eligible.

Laken said:
I’m with Fidelis Care, and they cover creative art therapy, but only for certain conditions. I had to check my plan and talk to them to make sure I was eligible.

Yeah, I’m with Fidelis too. They covered mine because it was for anxiety, but I had to get pre-approval. It wasn’t a big deal, but you definitely need to confirm everything before starting therapy.

Laken said:
I’m with Fidelis Care, and they cover creative art therapy, but only for certain conditions. I had to check my plan and talk to them to make sure I was eligible.

Exactly, I had the same experience. Once you get everything approved, it’s smooth sailing. I really recommend giving it a try if you’re dealing with any mental health stuff.

Has anyone had luck with Medicaid or Medicare covering art therapy? I’m on Medicaid, and I’ve been trying to figure out if it’s covered but haven’t had much luck finding info.

Logan said:
Has anyone had luck with Medicaid or Medicare covering art therapy? I’m on Medicaid, and I’ve been trying to figure out if it’s covered but haven’t had much luck finding info.

From what I’ve heard, Medicaid does cover creative art therapy, but it depends on the state and the specific plan you’re on. You’ll probably need to call and ask directly to get a clear answer.

Logan said:
Has anyone had luck with Medicaid or Medicare covering art therapy? I’m on Medicaid, and I’ve been trying to figure out if it’s covered but haven’t had much luck finding info.

Yeah, Medicaid in New York should cover it under mental health services, but it can vary a lot. It might be worth checking with your therapist too, because they usually know what insurance they can accept.

If you’re with Healthfirst, they offer some therapy coverage, including art therapy. I’ve been using it for a few months, and it’s been a huge help for my anxiety.

Kelley said:
If you’re with Healthfirst, they offer some therapy coverage, including art therapy. I’ve been using it for a few months, and it’s been a huge help for my anxiety.

Good to know! I’m actually looking into switching to Healthfirst. Do they cover a decent number of sessions, or is there a limit?

@Harlyn
There’s a limit, but it’s pretty generous. I think it’s like 20-25 sessions a year, depending on your plan. I’d definitely call them to double-check what’s available to you.