Table of Contents
A Step-by-Step Guide
For Omaha residents covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), navigating insurance for mental health care can feel complex. However, by following a structured process, you can access counseling services with clarity and confidence.
Below is a step-by-step framework for use BCBS insurance counseling in Omaha.
Step 1: Review Your Insurance Card
Your BCBS card provides two critical pieces of information:
- Customer service number for member questions.
- Plan type (PPO, HMO, Federal, Marketplace), which impacts coverage.
Step 2: Contact BCBS or Use the Member Portal
Call the number on your card or log into myNebraskaBlue.com. Confirm:
- Coverage for outpatient mental health services.
- Deductible, copay, and coinsurance details.
- Whether prior authorization is required.
- Limits on the number of covered sessions, if any.
Step 3: Identify In-Network Providers
To minimize out-of-pocket costs, select an in-network therapist. Options to search include:
- BCBSNE provider directory – the official source for contracted providers.
- Third-party directories (Psychology Today, Zencare, Mental Health Match) – filter by insurance.
- Direct provider verification – call the office to confirm active BCBS contracts.
Step 4: Request a Benefits Verification
Before scheduling, ask the provider’s office to perform a benefits and eligibility check. This ensures:
- Your therapist is in-network.
- Exact copay or coinsurance responsibility per session is known.
- Any pre-authorization requirements are identified.
Step 5: Schedule Counseling Sessions
Once benefits are confirmed, book your appointment. Present your BCBS card at intake. In-network providers will submit claims directly to BCBSNE on your behalf.
Step 6: Monitor Your Plan Utilization
Track your deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket maximum through the member portal. After reaching your out-of-pocket maximum, BCBS typically covers 100% of eligible services for the remainder of the year.
Conclusion
Using Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance for counseling in Omaha involves six clear steps: review your card, confirm benefits, choose in-network care, request verification, schedule sessions, and monitor utilization.
At Austerity Health, we help clients use BCBS insurance for counseling in Omaha. Guiding them through this process from start to finish, ensuring therapy is both accessible and financially transparent.
👉 Contact us today to learn more about using your BCBS benefits for counseling in Omaha.