Private pay therapy is a payment arrangement in which a client pays the therapist directly rather than having the therapist bill the client’s insurance as an in-network provider. The therapist typically sets the session fee and collects payment from the client.
Private pay and insurance reimbursement are not always mutually exclusive. If a client’s plan includes out-of-network benefits, the client may be able to submit eligible expenses for reimbursement, depending on the plan’s rules and required documentation. Clients should not assume reimbursement is available; they should check coverage and understand the possible upfront cost before relying on it.