Learn what LCSW stands for, how licensed clinical social workers are trained, what conditions they treat, and how to know whether one is the right fit for you.
September 15, 2026 · By the Headway Editorial Team · Reviewed by Ava Riedesel, LCSW
Therapy 101
Does insurance cover EMDR therapy? A coverage guide
Learn whether insurance covers EMDR therapy, including which plans pay, what CPT codes apply, and what to do if your coverage falls short.
By Kat Boogaard • Clinically reviewed by Caitlin Pugh, LCSW
What to know
1
Most major insurers cover EMDR in some form, typically as part of your mental health benefits.
2
Coverage depends primarily on your individual health plan, so check your plan’s rules on diagnoses, session length, and in-network therapists before you start.
3
If your plan denies or limits coverage, you still have options — including appealing the decision, requesting a more detailed bill, or looking into lower-cost care.
Introduction
If you’ve been thinking about trying EMDR therapy, you’ve probably wondered how much it will cost. Between unfamiliar billing codes, mentions of “medical necessity,” and fine print that makes your eyes glaze over, it can be hard to tell what your insurance will actually pay for.
So, does insurance cover EMDR therapy? In many cases, yes. But whether your specific plan covers it (along with how much you’ll pay out of pocket) depends on a few details that you’ll want to check before you book your first session.
This guide walks through how EMDR coverage typically works, which major insurers tend to pay for it, and what your options are if your coverage falls short.
Keep in mind that this guide is only for informational purposes and isn’t insurance, financial, or tax advice. Coverage varies, so make sure to check with your specific health plan to confirm what yours includes.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. It’s a type of psychotherapy that helps people work through traumatic memories that still feel overwhelming, even if it’s been years since the event. It was originally introduced as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it’s still used most frequently for trauma-related concerns.
During an EMDR session, your therapist asks you to briefly bring up a distressing memory while you focus on a back-and-forth (or bilateral) movement or sensation. That could mean following their hand with your eyes, listening to tones that alternate between your ears, or feeling taps on alternating sides of your body.
This kind of rhythmic stimulation is used along with therapy techniques to engage the brain’s information processing system. The goal is to reduce some of that memory’s emotional intensity over a series of sessions.
Because EMDR is a trauma-focused therapy that involves revisiting painful experiences, it should only be done with a licensed mental health provider — such as an LCSW or LPC — who’s trained in trauma recovery. For those in crisis, resources are available to help. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
How EMDR insurance coverage typically works
Perhaps surprisingly, there’s no special billing code for EMDR. Instead, your therapist bills an EMDR session the same way they’d bill regular talk therapy, using a code based on how long your session lasts:
- 90832: About 30 minutes
- 90834: About 45 minutes
- 90837: About 60 minutes
Along with that code, every claim includes your diagnosis. So, while the bill itself doesn’t say “EMDR” on it, your therapist’s records do — and your insurer can request to review those. With all of that in mind, whether your EMDR sessions are covered usually depends on three things:
- Your diagnosis: Insurers typically only pay for care they consider “medically necessary.” That means a licensed mental health professional has diagnosed you with a condition EMDR is meant to treat. Some insurers set a pretty high bar here. Aetna, for example, covers EMDR for PTSD but not for most other conditions like anxiety or depression. Since coverage rules vary, it’s worth asking your therapist how they bill EMDR with your plan.
- How long your session runs: Standard therapy codes top out at about an hour. This means insurers typically pay your therapist the same amount whether your session lasts 60 minutes or 90. Some therapists keep EMDR sessions to about an hour for that reason, while others might charge you for the extra time, especially if they’re out-of-network. Ask your therapist how long their EMDR sessions usually run and whether longer sessions could cost you anything extra.
- Whether your therapist is in-network: An in-network therapist has a contract with your insurance company, which usually means you’ll pay less. With an out-of-network therapist, you might need to pay the full cost upfront and then ask your insurer to pay you back for part of it — provided your plan covers out-of-network care at all.
Not sure if EMDR is the right fit for you? A licensed mental health professional can talk with you about what you’re experiencing, let you know if you have a diagnosis that qualifies, and help you figure out whether EMDR or another approach makes the most sense for your needs and goals.
Which insurance plans cover EMDR therapy?
Most major insurers cover EMDR in some form, but the logo on your insurance card matters less than the specific plan you have. The same company can offer many different plans, each with its own deductible, copays, provider network, and rules.
But for just a high-level look, here’s how some of the largest insurers and public programs approach EMDR.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover EMDR therapy?
Blue Cross Blue Shield isn’t actually one insurance company. It’s an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, each with its own plans and coverage policies. Whether EMDR is covered (and for which diagnoses) depends on your local BCBS company and your specific plan. You can find your local BCBS company to look up its medical policies and your member benefits.
Does Aetna cover EMDR therapy?
Aetna is one of the few insurers that has a published policy specifically about EMDR. Aetna’s clinical policy bulletin considers EMDR medically necessary for treating PTSD. However, it classifies EMDR as unproven for most other uses, including anxiety disorders, depression, and group EMDR sessions. If you’re seeking EMDR for PTSD, it’s generally treated as a covered service under your mental health benefits. For other concerns, coverage isn’t guaranteed.
Does Cigna cover EMDR therapy?
Cigna doesn’t have a published EMDR coverage policy the way Aetna does. Coverage depends on your specific plan’s mental health benefits. To confirm the details, Cigna recommends calling the member services or behavioral health phone number listed on your ID card.
Does UnitedHealthcare cover EMDR therapy?
Unfortunately, UnitedHealthcare doesn’t have a public, EMDR-specific policy either. Instead, EMDR typically falls under your plan’s outpatient mental health benefits, which UnitedHealthcare offers through its Optum Behavioral Health network. According to UnitedHealthcare, you can get started by calling the behavioral health number on your member ID card or by using the “Find Care” tool on your member website.
Is EMDR therapy covered by Medicaid?
It depends a lot on where you live. Each state runs its own Medicaid program, so coverage for mental health services varies from state to state, and even within a state based on factors like your age, eligibility, and diagnosis. Kids and teens tend to get broader coverage, since federal rules require state Medicaid programs to cover any service a child needs to treat a diagnosed mental health condition, even if that service isn’t covered for adults. Your state Medicaid agency or Medicaid health plan can tell you more about what’s covered for you.
Does Medicare cover EMDR therapy?
Medicare doesn’t list EMDR by name, but Original Medicare Part B covers individual psychotherapy with doctors and certain other Medicare-enrolled licensed professionals, which is how EMDR is typically billed. After you meet your Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for each visit. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (which is run by a private insurer), it’s smart to check with your plan directly, as costs and networks vary.
What EMDR insurance coverage typically doesn’t include
Even if your plan covers EMDR, it might not pay for every way EMDR is offered. Here are a few common exceptions:
- Extra session time: Since insurers generally pay a flat rate for sessions of an hour or more, plans usually don’t pay anything more for a longer EMDR session.
- EMDR intensives: Some therapists offer EMDR in concentrated formats, with several hours of therapy in a single day or sessions on several days in a row. Insurance often doesn’t cover these intensives, partly because standard therapy billing typically allows only one individual session per day.
- Group EMDR and other uses your plan considers unproven: Some insurers limit which types of EMDR they’ll pay for. Aetna, for example, classifies group EMDR as unproven, along with EMDR for most conditions other than PTSD.
If your therapist recommends longer sessions, an intensive, or another format outside standard weekly sessions, ask upfront what your plan will cover and what you’ll owe.
How to verify your EMDR insurance coverage
The quickest way to get a clear (and reliable) answer about your specific plan is to call the member services or behavioral health number on your insurance card. If you already have a therapist, have their name handy. And, if you want to be even more specific, ask your insurer about EMDR by name and also about the standard therapy codes it’s billed under.
Here are a few other questions worth asking:
- Does my plan cover outpatient psychotherapy, and does it have any rules specific to EMDR? Some insurers only cover EMDR for certain diagnoses, so you’ll want to know what those are.
- Is this therapist in-network? Confirm with your insurer directly rather than relying on a therapist’s website or an online directory, which could be outdated.
- What will I pay per session? Ask about your deductible (and how much of it you’ve already met), along with any copays or coinsurance for mental health visits.
- Do I need a referral or prior authorization? Some plans require approval from your primary care provider or the insurer before you start.
- Is there a limit on how many sessions you’ll cover each year? It’s helpful to know if your plan caps visits, especially since EMDR typically happens over a series of sessions.
- Are telehealth sessions covered the same way as in-person ones? If you’d prefer virtual EMDR, confirm your plan covers it at the same cost.
This type of phone conversation can be a hassle, but it really is the best way to make sure you understand the coverage and limitations of your particular plan. While you’re on the phone, make sure you jot down the date, the representative’s name, and a reference number for the call. You’ll want that information if your claim gets denied later.
Cost of EMDR therapy with and without insurance
When you’re trying to figure out the ins and outs of your insurance, the question you’re really hoping to answer is this: Is EMDR therapy expensive? Or, even more specifically, how much can you expect to pay for it?
The answer hinges on whether you use insurance for your session and how your plan splits the bill. Here’s a closer look and what you can expect to pay both with and without insurance.
What EMDR therapy costs with insurance
Of course, this varies. However, most people who use insurance through Headway pay $20 to $50 per session, since EMDR is billed like standard therapy.
Until you meet your deductible, you might pay the full rate your insurer has negotiated with your therapist. After that, you’ll typically pay either a flat copay (which stays the same no matter how long your session runs) or coinsurance (which is a percentage of the session cost). Once you reach your plan’s out-of-pocket maximum for the year, your insurance pays for 100% of covered services.
What EMDR therapy costs without insurance
Without insurance, therapy typically costs $100 to $300 per session. Where your therapist lands in that range depends on where you live, their experience, and whether they have specialized training.
Longer EMDR sessions might cost more, too. Since EMDR happens over a series of sessions, ask your therapist how many they expect you’ll need so you can get a better handle on your total estimated cost.
What to do if insurance doesn’t cover EMDR therapy
It’s frustrating to find out that your plan won’t cover EMDR (or will only cover a part of it), especially if you’ve put in the legwork to check your benefits.
But a denial doesn’t have to be the end of the road. Depending on your situation, you might be able to challenge the decision, lower your out-of-pocket costs, or find care through a different route. Here are a few options to explore:
- Appeal the decision: If your therapist determines that EMDR is clinically appropriate for you, they can document that clinical reasoning to support an appeal. Your insurer has to explain in writing why it denied coverage and how you can dispute the decision. From there, most people start with an internal appeal, where your insurer reviews its own decision. If it still says no, you can request an external review, where an independent third party makes the final call. You generally have at least 180 days from the denial notice to file an internal appeal.
- Ask for a superbill: If you see an out-of-network therapist, ask for something called a “superbill.” It’s a detailed receipt that includes the billing and diagnosis codes your insurer needs. If your plan has out-of-network benefits, you can submit that to get reimbursed for part of what you paid.
- Ask about sliding-scale fees: Some private-pay therapists lower their rates based on your income. It’s worth asking directly, since not every therapist advertises this option.
- Look into community health centers and training clinics: Federally funded health centers serve everyone (even if they can’t pay), and they charge on a sliding scale based on income. Some offer mental health services, so call ahead to ask whether they have EMDR-trained clinicians. University training clinics, where graduate students see clients under licensed supervision, can be another lower-cost option.
- Talk with your therapist about other approaches: If your plan won’t cover EMDR for your diagnosis, ask your therapist about other evidence-based treatments your plan does cover that might also fit your needs.
FAQs about EMDR and insurance coverage
Does TRICARE cover EMDR therapy?
TRICARE doesn’t list EMDR by name in any resources, but it covers outpatient psychotherapy when it’s medically or psychological necessary to treat a diagnosed, covered condition and when you see a TRICARE-authorized provider. Referral and prior authorization rules depend on your beneficiary category and plan, so it’s worth a check with your regional contractor before you start.
Is telehealth or online EMDR therapy covered by insurance?
Oftentimes, yes. Most insurance plans cover virtual sessions the same way they cover in-person ones. However, the details depend on your plan, so you’ll want to confirm that telehealth sessions are covered at the same cost before your first virtual appointment.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds to pay for EMDR therapy?
Typically yes, as long as the therapy treats a mental health condition. Therapy for general wellness or self-improvement doesn’t count. Since FSA rules can vary by employer, check with your plan administrator if you have questions.
How can I find a therapist who takes my insurance for EMDR therapy?
Headway is the easiest place to start. You can search for in-network therapists by specialty, see your estimated cost before you book, and schedule your first session. You can also use your insurer’s online provider directory or call the member services number on your card. Wherever you search, look for therapists who list EMDR or trauma along with their specialities, and confirm they’re trained in EMDR before you book.
Find an in-network EMDR therapist with Headway
Whether insurance covers EMDR therapy generally comes down to three things: your specific plan, your diagnosis, and whether your therapist is in-network. Once you know what to check, it’s easier to get a clear picture of what you’ll actually pay.
But sorting through all of that on your own usually means a lot of phone calls, directory searches, insurance jargon, and second-guessing. Headway makes it easy to find a therapist who specializes in EMDR and accepts your insurance, so you can start EMDR with fewer questions — and more confidence.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical, legal, financial, or professional advice. All decisions should be made at the discretion of the individual or organization, in consultation with qualified clinical, legal, or other appropriate professionals.
© 2026 Therapymatch, Inc. dba Headway. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.
Therapy 101
Understand how long therapy sessions are, what typically happens during an appointment, and the factors that can influence session length and structure.
September 4, 2026 · By the Headway Editorial Team · Reviewed by Caitlin Pugh, LCSW
Find helpful therapy questions for before and during therapy, ways to reflect between sessions, and common questions therapists ask early on.
September 4, 2026 · By the Headway Editorial Team · Reviewed by Caitlin Pugh, LCSW