Does insurance cover psychiatrist visits in California?

Yes, most California health insurance carriers provide mental health benefits that cover psychiatrist visits, including the initial evaluation and regular sessions (check-ins). However, the exact amount of coverage will vary based on the insurance plan details and whether the selected provider is in-network or out-of-network with your insurance. Just like any other medical professional, if the psychiatrist is in-network with your insurance, you’ll pay only a copay at each session after meeting your annual deductible. If the psychiatrist is out-of-network with your insurance, you may still be able to receive reimbursement after paying the fee. We work with: Quest Behavioral HealthNorthwell DirectCurativeHealth Net-MedicareOptum, UnitedHealthcareAnthem Blue Cross-MedicareMedicareBlue Shield of CaliforniaOptum, UnitedHealthcare-MedicareAetna-MedicareAnthem Blue CrossAetnaDevoted Health Plan-MedicareBeaconPartners Direct HealthCentivoBeacon-MedicareCentral Health Plan of California-MedicareMediNcrease Health Plans (MHP)Magellan-CommercialKaiser Permanente (SoCal)Provider Network of America (PNOA)Magellan-MedicareBlue Shield of California-MedicareHealthSmartSana BenefitsTricare West (TriWest)Evernorth (Cigna)Sana Benefits-MedicareEvernorth (Cigna)-MedicareOptum, UnitedHealthcareHumana-MedicareTELUS Health (BHS)Health Net-MedicareAnthem Blue Cross-MedicareHealth NetKaiser Permanente (SoCal)-MedicareLakeside Medical (Regal Medical)-MedicareClaritev (MultiPlan PHCS)Health NetKaiser Permanente (NorCal)Anthem Blue CrossClaritev (MultiPlan PHCS)-MedicareLakeside Medical (Regal Medical)Blue Shield of CaliforniaMagellanKaiser Permanente (NorCal)-MedicareLucet (SCAN Health Plan)-MedicareOptum, UnitedHealthcare-Medicare If you have a PPO or POS insurance plan (or so called “open access” plans), you can likely receive some reimbursement when you see a psychiatrist out-of-network in California. If you have an HMO, EPO, or Medicaid/Medicare plan, you likely cannot receive reimbursement, and would be responsible for the full out-of-network session fee. LifeStance accepts most of the commercial health insurance plans.

I don’t have insurance. How much will a psychiatrist visit be in California?

Initial evaluations can be around $200-$300, with subsequent meetings around $150-$250. The psychiatrist may have to order blood work, lab tests, or psychological testing, and any other investigations in order to know that there are no other medical issues causing the psychological symptoms and signs which are normally covered by insurance. If you don’t have insurance, keep in mind that these costs will be out-of-pocket.

Do psychiatrists & psychiatric nurse practitioners provide talk therapy?

Some psychiatrists and PMHNPs can provide talk therapy as a part of their treatment plan. However, they may also choose to focus more on medication management for their patients, depending on their individual training and practice style. It is important to discuss your preferences and treatment options with your psychiatrist to ensure that you receive the best care possible. If you can benefit from talk therapy, and your psychiatrist only offers medication management, they will refer you to a therapist or a psychologist in California within the LifeStance network that already works with your insurance.

How can I make an appointment with a psychiatrist in California?

Once you have found a psychiatrist or psychiatric clinician you would like to work with on the LifeStance directory, you will have an option to book an appointment online directly from the provider’s profile page or request a callback and a LifeStance representative will be in touch to help you with scheduling.

Do I need in-person sessions to see a psychiatrist in California?

LifeStance has approximately 0 offices in California, so if in-person visits are preferable to you, make sure that you select a psychiatrist that accepts patients in the mental health clinic close to you. Many psychiatrists require the first appointment to be in-person, especially if a psychiatric evaluation is needed. Most follow-up medication management appointments can take place online.

Do I need to be under the care of a primary care physician (PCP) if I am considering seeing a psychiatrist in California?

If your insurance plan does not require a referral from your primary care physician, it is entirely up to you if you want to discuss with them about seeing a psychiatrist. Some psychiatrists would prefer to see you only after you have first gone to your primary care doctor to get a referral, but this isn’t always the case. Depending on your insurance, you may be able to see an in-person or online psychiatrist without getting a referral from your primary care provider. You can contact your insurance company to check if you need a referral to see a psychiatrist.

Can a psychiatrist or a PMHNP prescribe medication in California?

LifeStance directory features two primary types of psychiatric clinicians: psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). Both are generally authorized to prescribe psychiatric medications. In 28 states, PMHNPs have full practice authority, allowing them to provide the complete spectrum of psychiatric care, including independent medication prescribing and management. In other states, however, PMHNPs are required to work under the supervision or in collaboration with a physician to prescribe medication. For state-specific details of nurse practitioner prescriptive authority refer to this chart: https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/ama-assn.org/files/corp/media-browser/specialty%20group/arc/ama-chart-np-prescriptive-authority.pdf

Find Psychiatrists & Psychiatric Clinicians in California

Find top LifeStance supported psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in California. We offer in-person psychiatric appointments at our mental health clinics and online for psychiatric evaluations and psychiatric medication management.

Select a City in California

Find the best psychiatrists & nurse practitioners near you in California, by choosing from approximately 5 LifeStance supported online psychiatry providers via telehealth in California. Our highly rated licensed psychiatrists see patients in 46 mental health clinics in California and also provide online psychiatry services. LifeStance psychiatrists & nurse practitioners specialize in treating a range of mental healthcare issues, including depression, ADHD, anxiety, trauma, adjustment disorders, bipolar disorder, autism, and addictions, in California.

Find the best LifeStance supported psychiatrists & nurse practitioners in California. Search our psychiatrist directory to find a doctor that specializes in treating a range of mental health care issues, including depression, ADHD, anxiety, trauma, adjustment disorders, bipolar disorder, autism, and addictions.

Whenever you need a psychiatrist to diagnose a mental health disorder for you or a family member or to start a treatment for a condition you have already been diagnosed with, you will find a LifeStance supported doctor within our network.

Find a LifeStance supported psychiatrist in California who specializes in your presenting concerns.

Read more FAQS below about how to find a LifeStance psychiatrist in California.

FAQs about LifeStance supported Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Clinicians in California

Yes, most California health insurance carriers provide mental health benefits that cover psychiatrist visits, including the initial evaluation and regular sessions (check-ins). However, the exact amount of coverage will vary based on the insurance plan details and whether the selected provider is in-network or out-of-network with your insurance. Just like any other medical professional, if the psychiatrist is in-network with your insurance, you’ll pay only a copay at each session after meeting your annual deductible. If the psychiatrist is out-of-network with your insurance, you may still be able to receive reimbursement after paying the fee.

We work with:

Quest Behavioral Health
Northwell Direct
Curative
⁠Health Net-Medicare
Optum, UnitedHealthcare
Anthem Blue Cross-Medicare
Medicare
Blue Shield of California
Optum, UnitedHealthcare-Medicare
Aetna-Medicare
Anthem Blue Cross
Aetna
Devoted Health Plan-Medicare
Beacon
Partners Direct Health
Centivo
Beacon-Medicare
Central Health Plan of California-Medicare
MediNcrease Health Plans (MHP)
⁠Magellan-Commercial
Kaiser Permanente (SoCal)
Provider Network of America (PNOA)
⁠Magellan-Medicare
Blue Shield of California-Medicare
HealthSmart
Sana Benefits
Tricare West (TriWest)
Evernorth (Cigna)
Sana Benefits-Medicare
Evernorth (Cigna)-Medicare
Optum, UnitedHealthcare
Humana-Medicare
TELUS Health (BHS)
Health Net-Medicare
Anthem Blue Cross-Medicare
Health Net
Kaiser Permanente (SoCal)-Medicare
Lakeside Medical (Regal Medical)-Medicare
Claritev (MultiPlan PHCS)
Health Net
Kaiser Permanente (NorCal)
Anthem Blue Cross
Claritev (MultiPlan PHCS)-Medicare
Lakeside Medical (Regal Medical)
Blue Shield of California
Magellan
Kaiser Permanente (NorCal)-Medicare
Lucet (SCAN Health Plan)-Medicare
Optum, UnitedHealthcare-Medicare

If you have a PPO or POS insurance plan (or so called “open access” plans), you can likely receive some reimbursement when you see a psychiatrist out-of-network in California.

If you have an HMO, EPO, or Medicaid/Medicare plan, you likely cannot receive reimbursement, and would be responsible for the full out-of-network session fee. LifeStance accepts most of the commercial health insurance plans.

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Find Psychiatrists & Psychiatric Clinicians in California

Select a City in California

FAQs about LifeStance supported Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Clinicians in California