How much does therapy cost?

We accept some health insurance plans (see below). If you do not have health insurance (or we are not in-network with your insurance policy), our Out-of-Pocket Rate ranges from $150-300 per session. These rates are fairly standard among licensed psychiatric and counseling professionals in our area. Please contact us to learn more about your Out-of-Pocket cost.

We do not accept insurance for Couples + Relationship Counseling. 

​If you are interested in a reduced rate of $40/session, we offer appointments with our Counselor-in-Training. Our counselors-in-training do not accept insurance.
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How do I use my health insurance?​


​We are IN-NETWORK with:
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield (NOT BlueLocal or Blue Home UNC Health Alliance)
  • BCBS State Health Plan
  • Anthem BCBS
  • Aetna
  • MedCost
  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)
  • Wake Forest Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • CareBridge (EAP)
  • Gilsbar 
  • Partners Direct

BCBS State Health Plan Members have a $0 copay through the end of 2024 per Blue Cross and Blue Shield, as Banyan Tree Counseling providers are members of the State Health Plan Clear Pricing Project.

*Please note that our interns/counselors-in-training do not accept insurance and are at an out-of-pocket rate of $40/session

We are OUT-OF-NETWORK with:
  • United HealthCare
  • Cigna
  • BCBS Blue Local plans
  • BCBS Blue Home w/ UNC Health Alliance plans
* We are NOT associated with Medicaid, Medicare, or TriCare. 

What if you aren't In-Network with my insurance?

You may still get reimbursed! ​Many of our clients use their PPO insurance plans to obtain reimbursement for our services, even if we are out-of-network. In all cases, it is advised to check with your insurance company about the terms of your coverage before obtaining services. (For additional information, see the American Psychological Association's coverage guide).
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If you're not In-Network, how do I get reimbursed?

We'll provide you with a "superbill" which is a detailed receipt for services with all applicable insurance codes listed. You can then submit this directly to your insurance company for reimbursement, depending on your specific policy. You can also use Mentaya and they do all the work for you! See our Benefits Checker below...
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Use our Out-of-Network Benefits Checker!

​We have partnered with Mentaya to help clients use their out-of-network benefits to save money on therapy. If we do not accept your insurance as an in-network provider, please use this tool below to see if you qualify for reimbursement services.


​Are there advantages to NOT using insurance?

There are several advantages to not using your in-network insurance, even if the cost is higher. Successful therapy requires a provider who is a good match for you. Because insurance companies often limit the size and scope of their provider networks, it can sometimes be difficult to find an in-network therapist who is qualified, available, nearby, and a good personal match. Insurance companies may also put restrictions on your treatment and limit the number of sessions demanding justification of medical necessity. They may also request access to your confidential record. Many insurance companies contract with therapists at rates that are far below market value, which means that providers with specialized qualifications may be underrepresented on insurance panels.

Lastly, when you call your insurance to verify your benefits for therapy, that's not a guarantee of payment. Insurance determines payment at the time the claims are reviewed, and this amount may differ drastically from what is initially quoted. Unfortunately, providers have no control of the timeline of insurance claims processing. We submit in-network claims within 24 hours of client appointments, but insurance can take between 90-120 days to process claims. There is no way to be certain about exactly what you will owe per session until claims are processed and your provider receives the Explanation of Payment.
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What questions should I ask my insurance company?

Mental health benefits are specific to your individual plan. We suggest calling the number on the back of your card and asking the following questions:
  • Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • Is Banyan Tree Counseling an in-network provider?
  • What is the coverage amount per "psychotherapy session"?
  • How many "psychotherapy sessions" does my plan cover?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician (PCP)?​
  • How much does my insurance pay for an in-network (INN) provider? Out-of-network (OON) provider?
    • Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it?
    • Have I met my deductible? If not, how much is left before it is met?
    • ​Do I have a co-pay?
    • Do I have co-insurance?
    • Do I have a secondary insurance plan for Mental/Behavioral Health?​
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What if I have a secondary insurance policy? 

It is crucial for you to inform us if you have a secondary insurance policy. If we are unaware of your secondary policy and submit claims that are covered by your primary insurance, the issue may not be identified until several months or even years later. At that juncture, the insurance company initiates a "clawback." A clawback occurs when the insurance company reimburses a provider for services but later determines that the reimbursement was in error. Consequently, your provider (us) is obligated to repay the reimbursement amount, and as the client, you then become responsible for covering the clawback amount. 
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What even IS a Deductible, Co-insurance, & Copay? 

How do I pay?

Payment is due at time of service and a credit card is required to be kept on file at all times. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and AmericanExpress are accepted. If you would like to pay using cash or check, payment must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
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What if I need to cancel?

You can cancel or reschedule an appointment any time, as long as you provide at least 48 hours notice. If you cancel an appointment with less than 48 hours notice, or fail to show up, you will be charged a fee of $95.
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Why is your cancellation policy like this?

Some practices have a 24 or 72 hour cancellation policy. At Banyan, we have a firm 48-hour policy.

Here's why this policy matters: While a medical doctor might see 35+ patients in a day, our therapists typically see 5 to 7 clients daily. Your clinician sets aside a whole hour for you, including session time and notes. If a cancellation pops up within 48 hours, it's tough to fill that spot, and your clinician loses out on a valuable hour.

Because our clinicians are in high demand, there's often a waitlist of clients eager for an available slot. With less than 48 hours notice, it's tricky to offer that spot to someone waiting.
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Can't you just bill my insurance?

Insurance unfortunately won't cover missed appointments, so when you miss or cancel within 48 hours, your clinician isn't paid, no matter the reason. That's why there's a late cancellation fee, in addition to your regular co-pay. We want to make sure you're on board with this policy and understand it's there to help us keep things running. Your cooperation goes a long way in preventing missed appointments. 
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But I'm human! What if I forget an appointment?

We get it – life happens! The truth is, if you're in counseling for a while, chances are something unexpected will come up, leading to a last-minute need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Please know that we do not get upset with our clients for missing appointments; our cancellation policy is not a form of punishment. Rather, it's a necessary boundary to ensure we can consistently deliver the excellent care our wonderful clients deserve.​
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I'm ready to schedule!

We're so glad! To book an appointment or ask any other questions, call our main line at 336-448-4451 or click here.
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