You Deserve Support
Paying For Your Mental Health Care
We're so glad you've decided to seek care for your mental health during pregnancy or postpartum! You deserve to feel well. Unfortunately, mental health care comes with considerations, like 'how am I going to pay for this?' While it feels confusing at first, there are several ways to pay for therapy or other mental health care. Below, we walk through the options. If you need additional help, please reach out to our resource brokering team.
Insurance
Everyone's insurance coverage is different. Your coverage may have a deductible (amount you have to pay before insurance will pay) or co-pay (amount you have to pay while insurance also pays part).
Insurance coverage for mental health care typically requires a diagnosis. For some, a diagnosis validates their experience and gives hope for treatment, while others may find it off-putting or stigmatizing.
However you feel, a diagnosis doesn't define you. Ask your provider if you have questions.
If you choose to see an out-of-network mental health provider, you can ask your insurance company to pay for these services. Your provider will need to give you a superbill- a list of services provided with dates and cost. Your insurance company will review these services and may cover some of the cost, though it is not guaranteed.
If you choose to pay for care with insurance, Moms Mental Health Initiative's provider list and resource brokering staff will connect you with someone who is covered by your insurance plan.
Private Pay
Many therapists, psychiatrists and other mental health care providers offer private pay only. This means you pay cash for services.
In some cases, private pay may offer more privacy. For those with high copays or deductibles, private pay may also save you money on therapy.
If you are concerned about privacy, paying cash allows the provider to share information about your care only to those you authorize. This is different from insurance, as paying with insurance usually requires a diagnosis and documentation.
If you opt for private pay, you can request a superbill from your provider- a list of services provided with dates and cost. Your insurance company will review these services and may cover some of the cost, though it is not guaranteed.
Those insured by Medicaid plans cannot pay out-of-pocket for therapy and must use insurance.
Sliding Scale
Providers who offer sliding scale will decide the price of your services based on your income. For those who struggle to afford care, even with insurance, sliding scale may offer a lower-cost way to access services. Sliding scale is the same as private pay in that your provider does not have to share your medical information with third parties unless you have authorized them.
If you are looking for a sliding-scale provider, you can search the provider directory or contact our resource brokering staff.
Free Therapy
Some organizations offer free therapy. If you are un- or under-insured, these resources may be helpful:
A Community Mental Health program providing low-cost or free mental health therapy across southeastern Wisconsin.
Asian Mental Health Collective
The Lotus Therapy Fund (LTF). opens several times a year to provide free therapy to those who identify as Asian. Those accepted receive 8 free sessions of virtual or in-person therapy over 3 months.
Black women and non-binary individuals can apply quarterly for 4-12 therapy sessions.
To Write Love On Her Arms Therapy Fund
Open to all. Application requires a therapists name, contact information and credentials.
Feel free to contact our resource brokering team for help finding affordable mental health care providers in the Milwaukee area, Southeast Wisconsin and Dane County.