Find Optum Therapy Services

Optum manages mental health services for many insurance plans, including UnitedHealthcare and employer-sponsored plans. Depending on your plan, you may have access to one or more of the following benefit paths:

Tip: If you're unsure which benefits apply to you, call the number on your insurance card or EAP welcome materials and ask: "Do I have access to EAP sessions, standard mental health benefits, or both?"

Optum covers different types of mental health professionals. Here’s how each one can help:

Therapist / Counselor (LCSW, LMFT, LPC)

• Talk therapy for individuals, couples, or families.
• Good for weekly or bi-weekly support with anxiety, stress, or relationships.

Psychologist (PhD, PsyD)

• Specializes in psychological testing and advanced therapies like EMDR or DBT.
• Helpful for diagnostic clarity or deeper treatment approaches.

Psychiatrist (MD, DO)

• A medical doctor who diagnoses conditions and manages medications.
• Often works alongside a therapist for ongoing care.

1. Log in at LiveandWorkWell.com or call the phone number on your insurance card or EAP flyer.
2. Choose Find Care → Behavioral Health.
3. Filter by distance, telehealth versus in-office, specialty (trauma, couples, ADHD), language, or weekend hours.
4. Confirm “In Network.” Look for the green badge next to the clinician’s name.
5. Preview cost. The site shows “EAP visit $0” or your plan’s copay/coinsurance.
6. Book directly in the portal for virtual sessions or call the office for in-person visits, then complete any emailed intake forms before your appointment.

If you're having trouble finding a timely appointment, here’s how to take action:

1. Track Your Outreach Keep a simple log of each provider you contact. Note the date, person you spoke with, and the next available appointment they offered. This will help if you need to request an exception.
2. Call an Optum Care Advocate Ask to speak with a Care Advocate through your plan’s support number. They can search for cancellations or earlier appointments across multiple ZIP codes.
3. Request a Network Adequacy Exception If no in-network provider has availability within 10 business days, you can request a network adequacy exception. Optum may authorize care with an out-of-network provider at in-network rates.
4. Escalate Through Live and Work Well If delays continue, file a service concern at LiveandWorkWell.com. You'll typically receive a response within 7 days—and many members report finding a sooner appointment within 48 hours of escalating.

Does Optum cover therapy? Optum itself is not an insurer, but it administers mental-health benefits and EAP programs. If your employer or health plan uses Optum, outpatient therapy is covered—often at $0 for EAP sessions and $20–$40 for standard insurance visits.

How do I find an Optum therapist near me? Log in at LiveandWorkWell.com, enter your ZIP code, and filter for “Accepting new patients” or “Virtual visits.”

What happens after my free EAP sessions end? You may keep seeing the same provider under your regular insurance copay/coinsurance, or you can switch to a different in-network clinician.

Are virtual visits billed the same as office visits? Yes. Telehealth sessions apply to the same deductible and out-of-pocket maximum as in-person care.