Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts cover EMDR?
July 2026 · By Sherly Millan, LICSW
Yes. EMDR isn't a special or separate service on your plan — it's billed as standard outpatient psychotherapy (commonly under the CPT code 90837, a routine 60-minute therapy session). Because BCBS of Massachusetts covers outpatient mental health, it covers EMDR delivered by a licensed clinician the same way it covers any other therapy.
That's an important thing to understand if you've been searching "does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover EMDR" and getting vague answers. There's no EMDR-specific carve-out to worry about. What matters is your outpatient mental health benefit — and that's a standard part of BCBS-MA plans.
EMDR Unlocked is in-network with BCBS of Massachusetts, so we bill your plan directly. You don't need to pay the full fee up front and wait on a reimbursement.
Copay, deductible, coinsurance — what you'll actually pay
What you pay depends on your specific plan, but it comes down to three plain-English mechanics. A copay is a flat amount you pay per visit (many plans apply a set therapy copay). Once you've paid it, the plan covers the rest of that visit.
A deductible is the amount you pay yourself before the plan starts sharing costs — on plans with a deductible, you may pay the full allowed amount for early visits until it's met. Coinsurance is a percentage of the cost you pay after the deductible is met. Some plans use a simple copay with no deductible for therapy; others use a deductible and coinsurance. The only way to know which applies to you is to check your specific plan.
Nobody should walk into therapy unsure whether they can afford it. Knowing your number up front is part of feeling safe enough to begin.
That's why we verify your benefits before your first session and tell you the real number. And if you don't have insurance or prefer not to use it, our self-pay rate is $165 per session, with superbills available if you want to seek out-of-network reimbursement.
How to check your own BCBS benefits
You can confirm your coverage yourself in a few minutes. Call the member services number on the back of your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts card and ask about your outpatient mental health benefit for telehealth. It helps to mention the therapy visit code, CPT 90837.
Good questions to ask: Do I have a copay for outpatient mental health therapy, and how much? Do I have a deductible, and has it been met? Is coinsurance charged after the deductible? Are telehealth (video) therapy visits covered the same as in-person? Is EMDR Unlocked in-network? If picking up the phone feels like a lot, that's okay — we'll do this verification for you.
Telehealth is covered the same as in-person in Massachusetts
Our practice is 100% telehealth, and that's fully covered. Massachusetts law requires health plans to cover telehealth mental health visits at parity with in-person visits, so a virtual EMDR session with BCBS of Massachusetts is treated the same as an office visit would be.
EMDR works beautifully over secure video — we use guided eye movements, tones, or the butterfly hug for bilateral stimulation, all from a space where you already feel comfortable. For many clients, being home makes the deeper work feel safer, not more distant.
We verify your benefits before your first session
You shouldn't have to become an insurance expert to get trauma care. Before we begin, we confirm your BCBS of Massachusetts coverage and tell you plainly what you'll pay — that's our standing promise. When you're ready, book your free 15-minute consultation and we'll take it from there.
References
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts — outpatient behavioral health and telehealth benefit information (member plan documents / member services).
- Massachusetts telehealth parity law (Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2020) — requiring coverage of behavioral health services delivered via telehealth on par with in-person care.
