How to Make Therapy More Affordable in 2027:
What Illinois' New Mental Health Law Means for You
By Alexandria Gohla, MSW, LCSW, Ed.S
From insurance changes and deductible resets to practical ways to reduce therapy expenses, here's what Illinois clients need to know.
Let's talk about something that probably isn't anyone's favorite activity: figuring out health insurance.
Between deductibles, copays, provider networks, and insurance explanations that somehow create more questions than answers, paying for therapy can feel unnecessarily complicated.
And when you're already navigating anxiety, burnout, parenting, relationship challenges, or major life transitions, the last thing you need is another financial headache.
At Bluebird Counseling Services, we believe taking care of your mental health shouldn't create more stress.
With a new Illinois mental health insurance law taking effect for qualifying plans in 2027, now is a good time to understand what's changing—and what you can do to make therapy more affordable.
What's Changing With Illinois House Bill 1085?
Illinois passed House Bill 1085, now Public Act 104-0446, to address longstanding barriers to accessing mental health care.
Although the law took effect June 1, 2026, several important requirements apply to eligible insurance policies issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.
The legislation includes changes intended to improve insurance coverage, strengthen provider networks, and reduce administrative obstacles to treatment.
Here's what that could mean for you.
1. Stronger Protections for 60-Minute Therapy Sessions
Have you ever wondered why some therapy appointments are 45 minutes while others are closer to an hour?
The length of a therapy session should reflect your clinical needs and treatment goals.
Under the new law, qualifying insurance plans must cover medically necessary 60-minute individual psychotherapy sessions, commonly billed using CPT code 90837.
Insurers also cannot impose more burdensome documentation requirements or more frequent audits for these sessions than for other psychotherapy codes.
What this means for you: If your therapist determines that a 60-minute appointment is clinically appropriate, the law provides additional insurance protections for that service.
It does not mean every appointment will automatically become 60 minutes or that every plan must cover the service without cost-sharing.
2. More Opportunities to Find an In-Network Therapist
Finding a therapist who accepts your insurance, specializes in your concerns, has availability, and feels like a good fit can be surprisingly difficult.
One challenge is that insurance reimbursement rates sometimes make it financially difficult for therapists to remain in-network.
The new law establishes minimum reimbursement requirements for certain covered, in-network mental health services.
What this means for you: These changes may encourage more therapists to join or remain in insurance networks, potentially giving clients more choices.
However, improvements in network access may take time, and the law does not guarantee that every therapist will accept every insurance plan.
3. Fewer Administrative Barriers to Starting Therapy
Insurance credentialing is the process providers complete to join an insurance network.
Under the new law, applicable insurers must complete the contracting and credential verification process within 60 days of receiving a completed application.
There are also new protections involving certain services provided during credentialing and services delivered by qualifying supervised trainees.
What this means for you: These changes could help reduce delays when therapists join insurance networks and expand access to care within group practices.
Coverage remains subject to specific legal requirements and insurer implementation.
4. Better Protection for Multiple Mental Health Services on the Same Day
Sometimes people need more than one type of mental health support.
The new law requires applicable plans to cover medically necessary mental health or substance use disorder services provided on the same day, including qualifying services from different providers.
What this means for you: There may be fewer insurance barriers when coordinating multiple types of behavioral health treatment.
Will Therapy Be Cheaper in 2027?
Here's the important distinction:
The law does not automatically lower your therapy copay, deductible, or coinsurance.
It primarily addresses insurance coverage protections, reimbursement requirements, and access to providers.
Your actual cost will still depend on your individual insurance benefits.
For some clients, the biggest financial benefit may be improved access to in-network care rather than a lower copay.
And because insurance plans can change from year to year, it's worth reviewing your benefits even if you're keeping the same insurance company.
10 Practical Ways to Make Therapy More Affordable in 2027
The new legislation is encouraging, but you don't have to wait for insurance changes to explore ways to make mental health care more manageable.
Here are options worth considering.
1. Understand Your Deductible Before January
If your insurance follows a calendar-year benefit period, your deductible will typically reset January 1.
That can mean a significant change in what you pay for therapy.
For example, you might currently pay a $25 copay because you've met your deductible. But once your deductible resets, you could become responsible for a larger portion of each appointment until you meet it again.
Not every plan works this way, so it's important to verify your benefits.
What you can do: Contact your insurance company and ask what you'll owe for an in-network outpatient psychotherapy session before and after meeting your 2027 deductible.
Knowing the amount ahead of time makes it easier to budget and avoid surprises.
2. Compare Insurance Plans During Open Enrollment
If you have the option to choose between insurance plans, don't compare them based on monthly premiums alone.
A plan with a lower monthly premium may have a higher deductible or higher therapy costs.
If you attend therapy regularly, a plan with a higher premium but lower mental health cost-sharing could potentially save you money over the course of a year.
Consider the total cost of premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and any out-of-pocket maximum.
Also verify that your therapist participates in the specific plan you're considering—not just the insurance company generally.
3. Ask Whether Therapy Is Covered Before Your Deductible
Some insurance plans offer outpatient mental health visits with a fixed copay even when you haven't met your deductible.
Others require you to pay the negotiated rate until your deductible is satisfied.
That's a major difference.
Ask your insurer: "Are outpatient mental health visits subject to my deductible, or do I have a copay that applies before the deductible is met?"
This one question could help you better predict your therapy expenses.
4. Use Your HSA or FSA
If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to use those funds for eligible psychotherapy expenses.
Because these accounts use tax-advantaged dollars, they can help reduce the overall financial burden of care.
HSA funds generally roll over from year to year.
FSA funds may have deadlines, although some employer plans offer a permitted carryover or grace period.
If you're planning for regular therapy appointments in 2027, consider including those costs when deciding how much to contribute to an eligible account.
5. Talk With Your Therapist About Appointment Frequency
Therapy doesn't have to look exactly the same forever.
Some clients benefit from weekly appointments, particularly when symptoms are more intense or they're working through a significant challenge.
Others may reach a point where biweekly appointments are clinically appropriate.
For example, if your insurance requires a $40 copay:
Four appointments in a month would cost approximately $160.
Two appointments in a month would cost approximately $80.
That's a potential difference of $80 per month.
However, reducing appointment frequency should be a collaborative clinical decision, not simply a financial one.
If you're concerned about affordability, talk with your therapist about your treatment goals, progress, and whether a different schedule could appropriately support your needs.
6. Ask About Sliding Scale or Other Payment Options
If the cost of therapy is becoming difficult to manage, please don't assume your only option is to stop attending.
Some practices offer sliding-scale rates, financial assistance, or other payment arrangements when available.
At Bluebird, we understand that financial circumstances change, and we want clients to feel comfortable having conversations about affordability.
Depending on your circumstances and applicable insurance requirements, we may be able to explore available options.
What you can do: Reach out before the cost becomes unmanageable.
We would much rather have a conversation about possible solutions than have finances unexpectedly interrupt your care.
Keep in mind that insurance contracts may limit alternative payment arrangements, and private-pay sessions generally do not count toward your insurance deductible.
7. Check Your Out-of-Network Benefits
If you have a therapist you love but they aren't in-network with your insurance, you may still have options.
Some plans offer out-of-network mental health benefits that reimburse a portion of eligible therapy expenses.
You may need to pay the therapist directly and submit documentation, often called a superbill, to your insurance company.
Before choosing this option, ask about your out-of-network deductible, reimbursement percentage, allowed amount, and any balance you would remain responsible for.
Out-of-network care is not always cheaper, but understanding your benefits can help you make an informed decision.
8. Look Into Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Many employers offer Employee Assistance Programs, or EAPs, as part of their benefits packages.
Some EAPs include a limited number of counseling sessions at no additional cost to the employee.
The number of sessions, eligible providers, and covered services vary by program.
What you can do: Check your employer's benefits portal or ask your human resources department whether mental health counseling is included.
An EAP may be helpful for short-term support or as a starting point for finding ongoing care.
Not every therapist or practice participates with every EAP, so confirm provider eligibility before scheduling.
9. Consider Group Therapy or Skills-Based Programs
Individual therapy is incredibly valuable, but it isn't the only way to receive mental health support.
Group therapy can provide opportunities to develop coping skills, connect with others navigating similar experiences, and feel less alone.
Depending on the program, groups may also have a lower per-session cost than individual therapy.
At Bluebird, we offer and develop therapeutic groups and skills-based programs focused on different needs and life experiences.
Group participation may complement individual therapy or, in some circumstances, provide a different form of support.
Insurance coverage varies, and not every group is insurance-billable.
Ask about current group availability, pricing, and whether a particular program would be appropriate for your needs.
10. Explore Community-Based or Lower-Cost Mental Health Resources
If individual therapy remains outside your budget, there are other places to look for support.
Community mental health organizations, university training clinics, nonprofit programs, and some therapists offering reduced-fee services may provide lower-cost options.
You can also explore resources such as:
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective for participating therapists offering reduced-fee sessions, subject to eligibility and availability.
NAMI Illinois for mental health education, peer and family support, and local resources.
Findhelp for community services and financial assistance resources.
Not all resources offer the same type of treatment, and free support groups are not substitutes for clinically indicated individual psychotherapy. But they may help you identify additional options.
Does Illinois House Bill 1085 Apply to Your Insurance?
Not necessarily.
The new requirements generally apply to eligible Illinois-regulated health insurance plans, including certain fully insured individual and employer-sponsored policies.
Many self-funded employer health plans governed by federal ERISA law are not subject to these state insurance mandates.
Medicare and Medicaid operate under separate frameworks, and the law expressly excludes certain Medicaid-serving plans from its reimbursement-floor requirements.
The insurance company name on your card doesn't necessarily tell you whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded.
Ask your insurance company or employer: "Is my plan fully insured or self-funded, and does Illinois Public Act 104-0446 apply to my mental health coverage in 2027?"
Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company Before 2027
You don't have to become an insurance expert. But these questions can help you avoid unexpected costs:
Does Illinois Public Act 104-0446 apply to my plan?
What is my 2027 outpatient mental health deductible, copay, or coinsurance?
Does my deductible reset January 1?
Are medically necessary 60-minute psychotherapy appointments (CPT 90837) covered?
Is my current Bluebird therapist in-network for my specific plan?
Are telehealth mental health appointments covered?
Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
Does my employer offer an EAP with counseling benefits?
What is my estimated responsibility for therapy before and after meeting my deductible?
If a claim is denied, what is the process for requesting a review or appeal?
When calling, consider asking for a reference number and keeping notes about what you're told.
What If Your Insurance Denies a Therapy Claim?
A denied claim doesn't necessarily mean you have no options.
Start by reviewing your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), which explains how your insurer processed the claim. Remember that an EOB is not necessarily a bill.
Ask the insurer for the specific denial reason, and contact your provider's billing team if you believe there may be an error.
If you believe your qualifying plan has denied a medically necessary 60-minute psychotherapy session contrary to the new law, ask about your appeal rights.
You may also be able to contact the Illinois Department of Insurance for assistance if your plan is under its jurisdiction.
What Does This Mean for Your Appointments at Bluebird?
We know that hearing about insurance changes can raise concerns about your current treatment.
There are no automatic changes to your scheduled Bluebird therapy appointments simply because this law is taking effect.
Your therapist will continue making recommendations based on your individual clinical needs.
As insurance companies implement the new requirements, we'll continue monitoring changes that could affect appointment coverage, billing, and provider participation.
If you're concerned about your 2027 benefits, please reach out.
We can help you review available information, discuss payment options where appropriate, and identify questions to ask your insurer.
Because we believe that accessing mental health care should be as straightforward as possible.
The Bottom Line: You Have Options
Illinois House Bill 1085 is a meaningful step toward improving access to mental health care.
Its protections for medically necessary 60-minute sessions, provider reimbursement, credentialing, and other behavioral health services could help address some longstanding insurance barriers.
But the law won't automatically make every therapy appointment cheaper.
That's why understanding your benefits—and knowing what options are available—matters.
Whether you're planning for a deductible reset, considering a different insurance plan, exploring group therapy, or wondering whether you can adjust your appointment schedule, you don't have to figure everything out alone.
At Bluebird Counseling Services, we believe therapy should be a source of support, not another source of financial anxiety.
And if you're worried about the cost of continuing care, we'd rather talk about it than have you quietly disappear from the schedule.
Have questions about your 2027 therapy benefits or payment options?
Contact the Bluebird Counseling Services team. We're happy to help you explore your next steps.
Sending positive vibes your way,
The Bluebird Counseling Services Team
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal, insurance, or financial advice. Insurance benefits, cost-sharing, and eligibility vary by plan. Coverage is subject to medical necessity, applicable law, provider participation, and insurer requirements. Contact your insurance company for confirmation of your benefits.
