First Psychology Edinburgh – counselling | CBT | psychotherapy | coaching

Funding psychological therapy or counselling using your health insurance policy

We have practitioners registered with many of the major health insurance providers and may be able to offer psychological therapy or counselling to clients who will be funding their sessions in this way. If you wish to use your health insurance policy to fund psychological therapy, you must first call your insurer to clarify what they require you to do. Often you will need to visit your GP to ask for a referral to a specialist. Once you have followed your insurer’s procedure, you should ask them for an authorisation number, which you can then pass on to the specialist.

What your insurance company may need

Many insurance companies require your GP to refer you to a Consultant Psychiatrist, who is a medical doctor specialising in mental health issues. First Psychology Centre, Edinburgh works closely with Dr Colin Rodger, Consultant Psychiatrist, and colleagues at Spire Murrayfield Hospital and Insight Consulting. They can be contacted on 0131-228-2025. They are able to take referrals from GPs and are able to refer you on to an appropriate practitioner for psychological therapy or counselling funded by your insurance provider.

What to expect from the major insurance companies

Each insurance company is slightly different so below are the details of what to expect from some of the major companies.

Using your AXA PPP health insurance (0800 45 40 80) – You need to ask your GP to refer you to a psychiatrist first. The psychiatrist may then refer you on to a psychologist or psychotherapist. Phone AXA PPP to check it will authorise treatment. You may also wish to ask if there are any restrictions on the number of sessions or the amount of funding available. AXA PPP will give you an authorisation number which you can then pass on. Visit Axa PPP’s website or call them for more information.

Using your BUPA health insurance (0800 609 0111) – You need a referral from your GP. This can be either directly to a psychologist or through a psychiatrist first, who may then refer you on to a psychologist or psychotherapist. This depends on your type of cover and you can phone BUPA to check. Phone BUPA to check it will authorise treatment. You may also wish to ask if there are any restrictions on the number of sessions or the amount of funding available. BUPA will give you a pre-authorisation number which you can then pass on.

Using your CIGNA health insurance (01475 492 222) – CIGNA encourages GP contact, but does not require a GP referral for treatment. CIGNA only funds treatment for acute conditions rather than recurrent conditions or those for which you have received previous treatment. Phone CIGNA to check it will authorise treatment. You may also wish to ask if there are any restrictions on the number of sessions or the amount of funding available. CIGNA offers two options depending on your condition:

  • A referral to a consultant psychiatrist who may then refer you on for psychological therapy if that is appropriate.
  • A referral to a cognitive behavioural therapist.

Using your Norwich Union health insurance (0800 015 7124) – You need a referral from your GP. This can be directly to a psychologist or psychotherapist. Phone NU with the name of the psychologist or psychotherapist you wish to see to check it will authorise an initial assessment session. NU will give you an authorisation number which you can then pass on. NU will then authorise subsequent sessions on the recommendations of the therapist and dependent on your policy allowance.

Using your Standard Life health insurance (0845 602 3500) – You need a referral from your GP to a psychiatrist first who may then refer you on to a psychologist or psychotherapist. Phone Standard Life to check it will authorise treatment. You may also wish to ask if there are any restrictions on the number of sessions or the amount of funding available. Standard Life will give you an authorisation number which you can then pass on.

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