Does my insurance have to cover therapy?

A: In California, yes. SB 855 (2020) requires state-regulated plans to cover medically necessary treatment of all mental health and substance use conditions under the same terms as physical conditions — not just a short "serious illness" list.¹ Combined with federal parity law, plans can't impose higher copays, separate deductibles, or tighter visit limits on mental health than on comparable medical care.²

Worked example: a plan with a $25 specialist copay can't charge $60 for therapy visits; a plan with no cap on cardiology visits can't cap therapy at 12 sessions a year.

Do this: if you're told "that's not covered," ask for the denial in writing, then file a grievance and call the DMHC Help Center at 1-888-466-2219 — parity denials are frequently overturned.

Source: 1. SB 855 (2020), H&S §1374.72 — leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. 2. Federal MHPAEA (2008).