Everyone deserves to go to therapy but a common concern is not being able to pay for it. Well, have no fear because Honest hour has some solutions for you! We’re passionate about making therapy more accessible and affordable.
Open Enrollment is a designated 2-4 week period where you can adjust your healthcare benefits for the following year. For many companies it can start as early as November 1st and go until January 15th, so make sure you keep your eyes open for it or ask someone on your HR team!
Here are 4 ways to make therapy more affordable for you in 2025
1. Insurance!
When it comes to using insurance there is In-Network vs Out-of-Network (ONN). In essence, with In-Network your therapist would have a contract with your health insurance carrier to accept a discounted rate (cheaper for you) while Out-of-Network simply means that your therapist can set their own rates.
You may think In-Network is a “no-brainer” but at Honest Hour we like to be honest. So here are the things to consider for both:
In Network:
Limited Therapist Options - If you’re looking for a therapist with a specific specialty or unique training, your options might be limited if you’re restricted to finding someone who is in-network.
Copays - Your insurance will cover part of the cost, and you’ll just pay any copay, which can be anywhere from $0 to $60 depending on your plan.
Confidentiality - Your insurance will see some details about your therapy, like appointment dates and treatment type, to handle claims. There are privacy rules, but some of your information will be shared with your insurer.
Limited Treatment Options - Most insurance plans limit the length of therapy sessions, or the types of treatments covered. For example, EMDR, which is effective for trauma, often requires longer than a 60-minute session, but some insurers may not cover sessions of that length.
Out of Network:
Flexible Therapy & Treatment Options - You have more flexibility to find a therapist that meets your needs and treatment preferences.
Coinsurance - This can be a larger upfront expense. With out-of-network benefits, you can get reimbursed up to 80% of your therapist’s rate after meeting your deductible. Check your PPO policy for details on deductibles and coinsurance.
Confidentiality - Out-of-network providers typically do not require as much detailed information to be shared with your insurance company, helping to maintain a higher level of confidentiality.
At Honest Hour we are In-Network with: UMR, United, Aetna. We also offer complimentary Out-of-Network billing to help you get reimbursed without the hassle!
2. Health Savings Account (HSA)
HSA’s are a type of savings account where you set aside your money on a pre-tax basis for qualified medical expenses, which can lower your out-of-pocket medical costs!
One way to qualify for an HSA plan is to be covered by a high-deductible (HDHP) health plan. For 2025 the max you can contribute to a Health Savings Account is $4,300 (for individuals) or $8,550 (for a family). If you’re not sure you'll use all the money in your HSA this year, no worries—you can roll it over to the next year. You can also invest it and use it for medical expenses down the road. Lastly, depending on your employer, they may contribute toward your HSA account so make sure to inquire with your HR team.
Whether you are In-Network or Out-Of-Network, your HSA can be used to pay for your therapy at Honest Hour.
3. Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
An FSA is a special account where you can set money aside on a tax-free basis that you can use to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs. The max on an FSA in 2024 is $3,200 for an individual or up to $6,400 for a family. The 2025 rates have not yet been released, but hopefully it’ll go up a bit!
Unlike the HSA, there are a few key differences with an FSA:
This plan is not tied to a High-Deductible Plan (HDHP) but can usually be combined with a variety of health insurance plans (HMO or PPO).
Unlike an HSA, an FSA is a use-it-or-lose-it plan. You need to use your funds within the year, as only a limited amount can carry over—$640 for 2024 to 2025. However, the FSA store offers many bulk items to help you spend down your balance.
Whether you are In-Network or Out-Of-Network, you can use your FSA account to pay for your therapy at Honest Hour.
4. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
An EAP is a work-based voluntary program that can offer short-term counseling and follow up services to employees who may have personal/work related stress and want support. Many companies offer free or discounted therapy through the Human Resources department. This can be a good place to start to explore the style of therapy you want or if you want to see how therapy can help. It's usually short-term care, but your therapist can often help refer you to someone external if you want help finding someone in a network that addresses your specific needs.
We hope these tips are helpful for you as you plan for therapy in 2025 and beyond! Therapy shouldn’t break the bank and there’s lots of ways to get quality care at a reasonable rate!
You should know our founder, Jasmine, is a Financial Therapist who helps millennials manage money-related stress. She works with clients in NY and NJ and is in-network with UMR, but she also sees out-of-network clients. Learn more here.
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