Paying for Allswell Therapy With CareFirst Insurance

Allswell is in-network with CareFirst across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. That includes both commercial CareFirst plans and CareFirst Medicaid products in the states where they're available.

Your cost and coverage depend on which type of CareFirst plan you have, so we recommend checking with our team before your first session to confirm what to expect.

Does CareFirst Cover Online Therapy?

Yes. Online therapy is a covered benefit across CareFirst's commercial and Medicaid plans, and that includes the kind of HIPAA-compliant video sessions Allswell offers. 

Federal mental health parity laws require insurers to treat virtual mental health services the same as in-person care, so coverage applies whether you're seeing a therapist in their office or over a screen. Your specific copays and cost-sharing depend on your plan

AbouHow Allswell Works With CareFirst Insurance

CareFirst operates as Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.

How Allswell Works With CareFirst

Because we're in-network with CareFirst, you don't have to handle the insurance side yourself. Allswell submits claims directly to your plan, so there's no paperwork to file, no superbills to submit, and no out-of-pocket costs upfront beyond your plan's standard cost-sharing.

Our Care Coordinators will run a benefits check on your CareFirst plan ahead of your first session and walk you through what your sessions will likely cost. If anything looks off with your coverage, we'll let you know right away, before you book.

All Allswell therapists provide LGBTQ+ affirming, trauma-informed care, and CareFirst doesn't treat that any differently than any other outpatient mental health service. You can use your sessions to work on identity, gender-affirming care, coming out, navigating family or relationship dynamics, minority stress, or anything else on your mind.

Service areas

Our therapists are licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, and your session needs to take place while you're physically in one of those areas. CareFirst coverage at Allswell varies by state:

• Maryland: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (commercial) and CareFirst Community Health Plan Maryland (Medicaid)
• Washington, DC: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (commercial) and CareFirst Healthy DC Plan (Medicaid)‍
• Virginia: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (commercial only)

How to verify if your CareFirst plan covers Allswell

The easiest way is to book a free consultation with our team. During that call, our team will look up your CareFirst plan, verify your benefits, and confirm whether we're in-network for you before you commit to anything.

If you want to check on your own, you can call the member services number on the back of your CareFirst card and ask whether Allswell is in their provider network for outpatient mental health services. CareFirst Medicaid members can do the same with their plan's specific number.

What You'll Pay With CareFirst Insurance

Your costs with CareFirst depend on the type of plan you have.

Commercial CareFirst plans

How much you pay per session depends on whether your plan uses copays, deductibles, coinsurance, or some combination. Here's the general picture by plan type:

• HMO plans: Usually a flat copay per session, with the amount set by your plan. Many of these plans don't apply a deductible to outpatient therapy.
• PPO and POS plans: You'll typically owe either a copay or a coinsurance percentage after meeting your deductible. The specifics depend on your plan.
• High-deductible health plans (HDHPs): Until you meet your annual deductible, you'll pay Allswell's full contracted rate per session. Once you've met it, your share usually drops to a coinsurance percentage. If you have an HSA, those funds can go toward your therapy costs.

Your actual cost will depend on your specific plan, and we'll give you a clear estimate before you book your first session.

CareFirst Medicaid plans

Therapy is fully covered for CareFirst Medicaid members. That means no copays, no deductibles, no coinsurance. The therapy itself is the same as what every other Allswell client receives and the only difference is the cost.

LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy Covered by CareFirst

Finding affirming therapy can be especially difficult for LGBTQ+ folks. CareFirst covers your therapy regardless of why you're seeking care. Whether you're working through identity-based trauma, navigating a life transition, or you’re just looking for a therapist who truly understands you, your CareFirst plan can cover it. Every Allswell therapist is vetted for LGBTQ+ competency and understands the ways identity, trauma, and everyday life intersect for queer and trans people. For CareFirst members in Maryland, DC, and Virginia, where affirming in-network providers can be harder to find, that access can make a real difference.

How to Start Therapy With Allswell Using CareFirst

Getting started is the same process for all Allswell clients, and our team handles the insurance side for you.

Step 1: Book a free consultation

Schedule a 15-to-20-minute call with one of our Care Coordinators. You can book through our website, email us at hello@joinallswell.com, or call 443-543-8367. This call is free, and there's no commitment.

Step 2: Verify your coverage

During or after your consultation, our team will verify your insurance benefits and confirm that your plan covers therapy at Allswell. We'll let you know if there are any issues before you schedule your first session.

Step 3: Get matched with a therapist

Based on what you share in your consultation, we'll connect you with a therapist whose experience, approach, and availability fit your needs. Every Allswell therapist is trained in LGBTQ+ affirming, trauma-informed care.

Step 4: Complete your intake

You'll fill out a brief intake through our secure client portal. This helps your therapist prepare for your first conversation.

Step 5: Start therapy

Your first session (your Welcome Session) is 60 minutes. After that, ongoing sessions are 45 minutes, typically on a weekly basis. All sessions happen through secure, HIPAA-compliant video.