Therapists That Take EmblemHealth Insurance in New York
An in-network EmblemHealth therapist with openings this week, online anywhere in New York. We confirm your exact copay before session one.
✓ Also covers GHI & HIP plans
$0-$25
what most EmblemHealth clients pay
five days
often the wait for a first session
5,000+
clients since 2014
- NYS-licensed clinicians · LMHC, LMHC-D
- Outcome-tracked care · PHQ-9 & GAD-7 measures
- HIPAA-secure video · Private, encrypted sessions
- Human-led matching · Rematch anytime, free
Manhattan Mental Health Counseling (MMHC) is in-network with EmblemHealth, including GHI and HIP plans, and accepting EmblemHealth members across New York State, online by secure video. Most of our EmblemHealth clients pay $0 to $25 per session; we confirm your exact copay in about 5 minutes, and your first appointment is often within five days.
Quick answers
Quick Answers About EmblemHealth Therapy Coverage
- 1
Do You Take EmblemHealth Insurance?
Yes. Manhattan Mental Health Counseling is in-network with EmblemHealth and accepting new EmblemHealth patients across New York State.
- 2
Are GHI and HIP the Same as EmblemHealth?
Yes. GHI and HIP are the two plan families EmblemHealth operates, so a GHI therapist, a HIP therapist, and an EmblemHealth therapist are the same in-network care.
- 3
Does EmblemHealth Cover Therapy in New York?
Yes. EmblemHealth plans include outpatient mental health benefits, and federal parity law keeps any therapy limit no stricter than the plan's medical limits.
- 4
How Much Does Therapy Cost With EmblemHealth?
Most of our EmblemHealth clients pay $0 to $25 per session. We confirm your exact number in about 5 minutes, before your first session.
- 5
Do You Have EmblemHealth Psychiatrists?
MMHC provides psychotherapy with in-network EmblemHealth therapists; we do not prescribe medication. If you need a psychiatrist or medication management, Carelon Behavioral Health at 888-447-2526 (TTY 711) can point you to in-network prescribers, and therapy at MMHC can run alongside that care.
- 6
Can I Do EmblemHealth Therapy Online?
Yes. New York insurance law bars EmblemHealth from excluding a covered therapy service because it is delivered by telehealth, and your telehealth copay can be no higher than the in-person one. Every MMHC session is secure video, anywhere in New York State.
- 7
How Fast Can I Start Therapy?
Your first session is often within five days of submitting the form. Benefits verification comes first, so you start knowing your exact cost.
Coverage
Therapists That Take EmblemHealth Insurance: How It Works at MMHC
EmblemHealth members, individuals and dependent family plan members, are eligible for psychotherapy services under their EmblemHealth plan. Depending on your plan, a copay, coinsurance, or deductible may apply; we confirm your exact cost before your first session.
Under the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, any limit EmblemHealth places on therapy visits can be no stricter than its limits on comparable medical care. If your coverage comes through a New York employer group plan, the state's Timothy's Law also guarantees at least 20 outpatient mental health visits per year. In practice, you can see an EmblemHealth therapist (one in-network with your EmblemHealth plan) weekly as long as your coverage is active and there is a medically necessary reason for your visits (medically necessary: care your plan considers required to treat a diagnosed condition). About 1 in 4 New York City adults experiences a mental health disorder in a given year, and outpatient therapy is the standard covered treatment for most of them.
We can check your benefits for you.
About EmblemHealth
About EmblemHealth
EmblemHealth is a New York health insurer formed by the combination of GHI (Group Health Incorporated) and HIP (Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York), and it operates both as its plan families today. When you search for a GHI therapist or a HIP therapist, you are searching for an EmblemHealth therapist. EmblemHealth's plans include GHI and HIP commercial coverage along with Medicare and Medicaid offerings, and the carrier's name is sometimes written as Emblem Health. Its behavioral health benefits are administered by Carelon Behavioral Health, so a Carelon-listed provider and an EmblemHealth-covered therapist are the same in-network care. MMHC treats New York members only.
$0-$25
typical copay for EmblemHealth members, confirmed in writing before session one
Coverage and cost
Does EmblemHealth Cover Mental Health?
Yes. EmblemHealth covers mental health therapy for its members, and most of our EmblemHealth clients pay between $0 and $25 per session. Your exact number depends on which EmblemHealth plan you hold and where you are in your plan year. Three terms decide it: the copay (copay: the fixed fee you owe at each therapy visit), the deductible (deductible: what you would pay out of pocket before coverage starts), and coinsurance (coinsurance: the percentage of the session cost you pay after the deductible is met). We confirm all three for your plan before your first session, and you get the number in writing.
Your EmblemHealth Therapy Cost by Plan Family
| EmblemHealth plan family | What it is | What most members pay |
|---|---|---|
| GHI plans | EmblemHealth coverage originally offered through Group Health Incorporated, common in employer groups | Typically a copay between $0 and $25; we confirm your exact amount before session one |
| HIP plans | EmblemHealth coverage originally offered through the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York, often HMO-style | Typically a copay between $0 and $25; we confirm your exact amount before session one |
| EmblemHealth Medicare plans | EmblemHealth's plans for people 65+ or eligible by disability | Plan-dependent; see our Medicare Advantage therapy page |
Sessions at MMHC are 53 minutes and billed under CPT® code 90837 (CPT code: the billing code that identifies your session type). Couples and family sessions are billed under CPT code 90847.
Benefits check
What We Verify Before Your First Session
- 1
Your copay for outpatient psychotherapy under CPT code 90837
- 2
Your coinsurance percentage, if your plan uses one
- 3
Your deductible status: the amount and how much of it you have met this plan year
- 4
Your network status with the specific clinician we are matching you to
- 5
Whether your plan requires a referral or prior authorization
- 6
Any session cap or plan-specific rule on outpatient mental health visits
You see all six before you commit to anything.
Not Sure Which EmblemHealth Plan You Have?
We verify everything for you before your first session and explain your exact cost clearly.
Why MMHC
Why MMHC Is Different for EmblemHealth Members
The real barrier to starting therapy is usually the unknown cost, so we remove it first. Before your first session, a Therapy Coordinator calls EmblemHealth and confirms your exact copay, coinsurance, and deductible status, a check that usually takes about 5 minutes, and puts your estimated cost in writing. Every MMHC client has their exact cost confirmed before session one; the price you hear is the price you pay.
Fit drives outcomes. The largest meta-analysis of the therapeutic alliance reviewed 295 studies covering more than 30,000 patients (Flückiger et al., 2018). It found that the relationship between client and therapist is one of the strongest predictors of whether therapy works, online or in person. At MMHC, a clinician matches you based on your goals, personality, and clinical needs, and if the fit is wrong, you switch therapists without restarting intake.
You choose from a bench of 100+ therapists across the conditions and methods listed below, matched to your specific concern rather than to whoever has an opening. Your first session is often within five days of submitting the form.
Plus, for EmblemHealth members specifically:
No In-Network Wait Queue.
EmblemHealth clients are scheduled as quickly as self-pay clients; insurance never puts you in a slower line.
Outcome-Tracked Care.
Progress is measured with the PHQ-9 for depression and the GAD-7 for anxiety, two validated symptom measures, so you and your therapist can see change instead of guessing at it.
Getting started
How to Get Started With EmblemHealth Coverage
- 1
Verify your EmblemHealth coverage (about 5 minutes). Call our Therapy Coordinator at 212-960-8626 or fill out the contact form. We check your behavioral health benefits, your copay, and your network status, at no cost, and put your estimated cost in writing before you commit.
- 2
Get matched with the right therapist. We talk through what brings you in, then match you with an EmblemHealth therapist whose training and style fit your goals. If the fit is off, you rematch without restarting intake.
- 3
Start therapy, often within five days. We schedule your first online session at a time that works for you, and you build from there in consistent weekly sessions.
Conditions and methods
Comprehensive Mental Health Conditions and Treatment Methods Covered
Our 100+ therapists are experienced in addressing a broad variety of mental health concerns and utilizing a wide variety of therapeutic modalities.
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Self Esteem
- Trauma
- Family Issues
- Coping Skills
- Mindfulness
- CBT Therapy
- EMDR Therapy
- Life Transitions
- OCD Therapy
- Social Anxiety
- Men’s Issues
- Bipolar Disorder
- Domestic Abuse
- Phobias
- Integration
- Porn Addiction
- ADHD
- Burnout Issues
- DBT Therapy
- Anger Management
- PTSD
- Work Stress
- Career Counseling
- Grief
- Marriage Counseling
- Eating Disorders
- Spirituality
- Young Adults
- LGBTQ
- Substance Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Parenting
- Somatic Therapy
- Women’s Issues
Member questions
Questions to Ask EmblemHealth to Determine Your Coverage
To know the specifics of your plan, call the number on the back of your EmblemHealth member ID card, or reach Carelon Behavioral Health (opens in a new tab), the partner that administers EmblemHealth behavioral health benefits:
Carelon Behavioral Health (for EmblemHealth members)
(TTY 711)
EmblemHealth behavioral health benefits are administered by Carelon — a Carelon-listed provider is the same in-network care.
Questions to ask about your mental health coverage:
- 1
What is my copay or coinsurance for outpatient mental health services, specifically for CPT code 90837? (the code MMHC bills for a standard 53-minute session; couples and family sessions bill under 90847)
- 2
Is there a session cap per year? (federal parity law keeps any limit no stricter than your plan's medical limits, but ask to know for certain)
- 3
Does my deductible apply to outpatient therapy, and how much of it have I met this year?
- 4
Do I need a referral or prior authorization for outpatient psychotherapy?
In their words
What Clients Say
5,000+ clients since 2014
So far so good! My first appointment with Stephanie went better than expected. She is a great listener, affirming and made me feel comfortable from beginning to end.
Verified patient · Jul 2026 First experience was great! What stood out was her listening and giving feedback for solutions.
Verified patient · Sep 2025 She was great at making me feel comfortable on my first appointment. I know already we are going to click, and she will help me!
Verified patient · Dec 2024 She is so wonderful to talk to, she makes it easy to open up and share while creating a safe space to do so. Highly recommended!
Verified patient · Oct 2024 Even though we weren’t in the same room, she made me feel completely comfortable and connected. Her warm and supportive demeanor came through, even over the screen.
Verified patient · Sep 2024 Sandra is very attentive, a great listener, and offers helpful questions and answers.
Verified patient · Mar 2024
I was able to be paired with a therapist I actually connected with on the first try, which is pretty miraculous. Stephanie is absolutely wonderful. I have been seeing her for 7 months now and my experience has been seamless so far.
Rated 5 of 5. I’ve been a client at this practice for over a year now and it’s been life-changing. The intake was seamless and my therapist is outstanding. Looking forward to continuing my treatment here.
Rated 5 of 5. Over 2 years with my therapist and she’s a 10/10. She has helped me a lot with all of my issues, especially coping with BPD and depression. She’s very accommodating and willing to go above and beyond!
Rated 5 of 5. Intake process was smooth and easy. I love the Telehealth platform used as well. My therapist is great and I love that I am doing my mental health here.
Rated 5 of 5. My therapist is excellent! I am happy with my therapy.
Rated 5 of 5. Kind and patient attention and support as I begin my emotional healing journey in earnest.
Rated 5 of 5.
Our therapists
Meet Some of Our EmblemHealth Therapists
Natalie Buchwald, LMHC-D
License #D4643
Natalie is the founder of Manhattan Mental Health Counseling. Her treatment approach emphasizes the mind-body connection, combining experiential techniques with practical, results-oriented methods.
Dr. Sandra Vazquez, LMHC
License #5190
Dr. Sandra Vazquez, guides individuals through complex trauma and mood challenges with a collaborative, culturally sensitive approach that fosters safety, trust, and empowerment, creating spaces for authentic growth and healing, particularly within BIPOC communities.
Sandra Swartwout, LMHC-D
License #D10616
Sandra uses various therapeutic techniques, including EMDR, CBT, and Mindfulness-Based Therapy, to encourage healing and growth within a safe and empowering counseling environment.
Accepting new patients
Online EmblemHealth Therapists in New York Accepting New Patients
Manhattan Mental Health Counseling is a New York State psychotherapy practice, in-network with EmblemHealth, and accepting new patients. Its 100+ therapists hold sessions by secure video across all of New York State, and the practice verifies each member's exact EmblemHealth copay before the first session. MMHC is rated 4.0 on Google and has worked with 5,000+ clients since 2014.
Yes, we accept EmblemHealth, and we are taking new patients now. Because every session is online, your zip code doesn't decide whether you can get care: the same therapists are available whether you're in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Buffalo, or the Hudson Valley, with no commute and no waiting room. Tell us what you're dealing with, we verify your EmblemHealth benefits, and a clinician matches you to a therapist in-network with your plan. There is no separate wait queue for insured clients, and your first session is often within five days of submitting the form.
EmblemHealth is one of thirteen plans we accept; the full list is on our insurance page.
Common questions
EmblemHealth Therapy FAQ
If you don't see your question here, contact our support team at 212‑960‑8626.
Is MMHC In-Network With EmblemHealth?
Yes, MMHC is in-network with EmblemHealth. Network status can differ from one clinician to another, so if a particular clinician is out-of-network for your plan, we match you with one who is in-network. We confirm your coverage in writing before your first session.
Which EmblemHealth Plans Do You Accept?
We verify coverage for members across EmblemHealth's plan families, including GHI and HIP. Because acceptance can depend on your exact plan, we confirm your coverage in about 5 minutes before your first session.
Are GHI and HIP the Same as EmblemHealth?
Yes. GHI (Group Health Incorporated) and HIP (Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York) are the two plan families EmblemHealth operates. A GHI therapist, a HIP therapist, and an EmblemHealth therapist all mean the same in-network care, and your member card names which plan you carry.
Does EmblemHealth GHI Cover Therapy?
Yes. GHI is one of EmblemHealth's two plan families, and outpatient psychotherapy is a covered behavioral health benefit on GHI plans. Under the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, any limit on therapy visits can be no stricter than the plan's limits on comparable medical care. New York employer group plans must also cover at least 20 outpatient mental health visits per year under Timothy's Law. Your copay and any plan rules depend on your specific plan, and we verify them before you start.
How Much Will Therapy Cost Me With EmblemHealth?
Most of our EmblemHealth clients pay between $0 and $25 per session. Your exact cost is your plan's copay, or coinsurance after your deductible, and it depends on your EmblemHealth plan and where you are in your plan year. Costs can shift after your deductible resets each January. We confirm your current cost at no charge and put a written estimate in your hands before you start.
Does EmblemHealth Cover Online Therapy?
Yes. Under New York Insurance Law section 3217-h, EmblemHealth cannot exclude a covered therapy service because it is delivered by telehealth (telehealth: therapy held over secure video from wherever you are), and your telehealth copay, coinsurance, or deductible must be at least as favorable as for the same service in person. Every MMHC session is a secure video session, so you can meet with your therapist from home, anywhere in New York State.
Are There Therapists That Take EmblemHealth Insurance Near Me?
Yes. Our EmblemHealth therapists see members in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and across New York State by secure video. Distance is not a factor, so we match you on fit rather than location.
Are There EmblemHealth Therapists in Brooklyn or Staten Island?
Yes. Because every session is telehealth, EmblemHealth members in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and every other New York borough and county see the same in-network therapists online, with no commute.
What Is the EmblemHealth Behavioral Health Phone Number?
EmblemHealth behavioral health benefits are administered with Carelon Behavioral Health, reachable at 888-447-2526 (TTY 711). You can also call the number on the back of your member ID card, or let us verify your benefits for you at 212-960-8626.
Does EmblemHealth Cover Psychiatrists?
Psychiatric care is generally part of EmblemHealth behavioral health benefits; confirm the specifics with your plan. MMHC provides psychotherapy and does not prescribe medication. If you need medication management, Carelon Behavioral Health at 888-447-2526 (TTY 711) can point you to in-network prescribers, and therapy at MMHC can run alongside that care.
Do I Need a Referral to Start Therapy With EmblemHealth?
It depends on your plan. Many EmblemHealth plans, including GHI plans, do not require a referral for outpatient therapy, while some HIP HMO plans route care through your primary care doctor. We confirm your plan's rule when we verify your benefits, and if a referral is needed we help you get one.
Does EmblemHealth Require Prior Authorization for Therapy?
It depends on your plan. Some EmblemHealth plans require prior authorization for certain outpatient mental health services, and rules differ by plan family. Checking authorization and referral requirements is part of our standard benefits verification, so you know before your first session. Any session cap is confirmed at the same time; under federal parity law, behavioral health limits can be no stricter than comparable medical limits.
What If EmblemHealth Denies My Claim, or My Coverage Changes Mid-Treatment?
We handle it with you rather than handing you a bill. If a claim is denied, we review the reason with EmblemHealth and refile when it is a coding or authorization issue. If your EmblemHealth coverage lapses or changes mid-treatment, we re-verify your benefits and talk through your options, including our self-pay rate, before your next session, so you are never surprised by a cost you did not agree to.
Why Does My EmblemHealth Copay Change in January?
Most health-plan deductibles reset on January 1. If your EmblemHealth plan applies a deductible to outpatient therapy, your per-session cost can change at the start of the plan year until the deductible is met again. Ask us to re-run your 5-minute benefits check at renewal and we confirm your updated number in writing.
What If My Therapist Is Not the Right Fit?
You rematch. Tell us what felt off and we connect you with a better-matched therapist. Your progress and goals carry over, so you do not restart intake.
How Do I Check My EmblemHealth Therapy Benefits?
Call 212-960-8626 or fill out the contact form. We verify your EmblemHealth coverage, copay, and network status in about 5 minutes and put your estimated cost in writing. You can also call the number on the back of your member card or Carelon Behavioral Health at 888-447-2526.
Get started
Ready to Get Started With an EmblemHealth Therapist in New York?
Manhattan Mental Health Counseling is accepting EmblemHealth members in New York. After you submit the form below, you will receive an email within 24 hours with a link to schedule a screening call at your convenience. Our intake team will verify your EmblemHealth benefits, including your copay, before your first session.
- In-Network with EmblemHealth
- Servicing New York State Residents
- 100% Virtual Telehealth Sessions
- 100+ In-Network Therapists
- 5,000+ clients since 2014
- 4-Star Average Rating on Google Reviews
Prefer to talk? Call 212‑960‑8626
If You Are in Crisis
This page is not for emergencies. If you are thinking about harming yourself or someone else, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, free, 24/7, in English and Spanish) or call 911. Manhattan Mental Health Counseling is an outpatient telehealth practice and does not provide emergency or crisis services. More options are on our emergency resources page.
References
1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/private-health-insurance/mental-health-parity-addiction-equity (opens in a new tab)
2. New York State Office of the Attorney General. Mental Health Parity in New York (Timothy's Law report). https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/hcb_mental_health_parity_report.pdf (opens in a new tab)
3. New York Insurance Law § 3217-h. Telehealth Delivery of Services. https://newyork.public.law/laws/n.y._insurance_law_section_3217-h (opens in a new tab)
4. Flückiger, C., Del Re, A. C., Wampold, B. E., & Horvath, A. O. (2018). The alliance in adult psychotherapy: A meta-analytic synthesis. Psychotherapy, 55(4), 316-340. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000172 (opens in a new tab)
5. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (2024). The State of Mental Health of New Yorkers. https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/press/pr2024/nyc-releases-first-ever-state-of-mental-health-report.page (opens in a new tab)
6. EmblemHealth. Talking to Someone (behavioral health resources; Carelon Behavioral Health 888-447-2526, TTY 711). https://www.emblemhealth.com/live-well/mental-health/Talking-to-Someone (opens in a new tab)
7. EmblemHealth. Find a Doctor (provider directory). https://www.emblemhealth.com/find-a-doctor (opens in a new tab)
8. American Medical Association. CPT (Current Procedural Terminology). https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt (opens in a new tab)
Note: This page is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. If you have persistent or concerning symptoms, consult a licensed medical professional. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7).
CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.