Insurance & billing

How we handle the paperwork.

We work with most major commercial insurance plans, so most patients pay only their plan's copay or coinsurance for behavioral health care.

In-network plans

The list below reflects our typical commercial in-network roster. Network participation can vary by state and by plan tier — please verify your specific plan when scheduling.

  • Cigna
  • Evernorth Behavioral Health
  • Beacon Health Options (Carelon Behavioral Health)
  • Magellan Health
  • UnitedHealthcare / Optum Behavioral Health
  • Tricare (regional)
  • Aetna

This list is updated as plans are added or retired. Please confirm coverage when you schedule.

What you'll typically pay

  • In-network visits: your plan's behavioral-health copay or coinsurance.
  • Out-of-network: we can provide a superbill for self-submission for partial reimbursement (where your plan permits).
  • Self-pay: flat fees published on request. Most patients with insurance pay less than self-pay.

No surprises

Under the federal No Surprises Act (2022), uninsured and self-pay patients are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges before care begins. We provide one on request and at scheduling for any self-pay patient.

Billing questions

Does North Star Health accept insurance, and what does in-network status actually mean for my costs?
The practice participates with a number of commercial insurance plans and will verify your specific benefits before your first appointment. In-network status means your insurer has set a contracted rate for services, but your actual out-of-pocket cost depends on your individual plan's deductible, copay, and coinsurance structure, none of which we can determine until we run a benefits check against your policy.
Will I need a prior authorization for psychiatric medication management or psychotherapy?
Some insurance plans require prior authorization for certain psychiatric medications, for ongoing psychotherapy beyond a set number of sessions, or for specific diagnostic codes. When a prior authorization is required, our billing staff initiates and manages that process, but we cannot guarantee approval, as authorization decisions are made by your insurer according to their own medical necessity criteria.
Can I use an HSA or FSA account to pay for my visits or copays?
Yes. Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account funds are eligible for use on behavioral health services, including copays, deductibles, and self-pay fees. If your HSA or FSA administrator requires itemized documentation, we can provide a detailed receipt reflecting the service date, CPT code, and diagnosis code.
What happens if my insurance plan changes during an active course of treatment?
Contact our billing team as soon as you know your coverage is changing, ideally before the effective date of the new plan. We will verify whether the practice participates with your new insurer and advise you on any gap in coverage, change in copay, or need for a new prior authorization. Continuity of care is our clinical priority, and we will work with you to navigate the transition without unnecessary disruption.
If my plan is out-of-network, can I still receive care and submit for reimbursement?
Patients with out-of-network benefits can receive care at North Star Health and will be provided a superbill, which is an itemized receipt containing the information your insurer needs to process an out-of-network claim. Reimbursement rates and processes vary considerably by plan, and we recommend contacting your insurer directly to understand your out-of-network mental health benefits before scheduling.
Am I entitled to a cost estimate before my first appointment under the No Surprises Act?
Yes. Under the federal No Surprises Act, uninsured and self-pay patients are entitled to a good-faith estimate of expected charges before receiving services. We provide this document upon request or automatically for patients who indicate they will be paying out of pocket. If your actual charges exceed the estimate by more than 150 dollars, you have the right to initiate a dispute resolution process.

Coverage questions? We will check for you.

Tell us your plan when you reach out — we will verify benefits before your first visit.

Verify my coverage