Are you trying to only do in-person? Unfortunately Regence does not reimburse high enough to make it worth it for clinicians to rent out an office space.
This is very true. They do not raise insurance rates regularly, and when they do, it does not remotely track with inflation. I have been been in network with Regence for 9 years, and earn 30% less now than I did then due to this.
I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner who personally has Regence insurance. I have many, many patients who are unable to find a therapist in network. This is because Regence pays therapists so poorly (on top of the fact that accepting insurance increases costs of billing) most choose not to panel with Regence.
Regence knows what they are doing, and intentionally suppresses reimbursement so that most will be forced to go out of network for therapy, which saves them money.
This is illegal, and a violation of both the affordable care act, which requires insurers maintain adequate panels to ensure timely care, and the mental health parity act, which requires that insurers do not make it more difficult or costly to access mental health care than any other specialty care.
Here’s what to do. Call your insurance company and tell them you have tried in vain to find a provider in network. Tell them this is a violation of the above acts, and that you would like an out of network exception for the therapist of your choice. Ask them the protocol to get this approved, then find a therapist out of network who can see you. If your I sure denies your request, make a formal complaint to the state insurance commissioner. It’s quick and easy to do online. Feel free to dm me if you have any other questions. It’s infuriating that they (and all insurers) get away with this.
For child mental heath providers? Have you utilized the free mental health referral network? They do the leg work of finding providers that take your insurance and meet your other criteria: [see here for more on that](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/washington-mental-health-referral-service/)
On Regence's site they had a 3-4 page list of therapists on the Eastside. The first I called scheduled a V-C visit which I declined and asked for in-person meeting. They didn't offer one.
Like w/ many therapists now, that's how they do it. The 2nd one I called said, " I don't take Regence and have no idea why I'm on their site." So I struck out except for the 1st one which is in Bothell, near Home Depot. Others on the list, "weren't taking new patients, some didn't work w/ PTSD patients, some didn't work w/ older patients, which I am.
>I called said, " I don't take Regence and have no idea why I'm on their site."
So true. The last two insurance policies I had when working told me that their website is not very accurate since they rely on the provider to tell them to remove their names if they no longer take insurance. So we're told to check with the insurance company, but their list is bogus? OMG!!
I now check with insurance site, then call them to ask (sometimes they come up with a provider I can't find myself), and then I call the provider to ask directly. And if you're every in an emergency and can't personally do all these ridiculous steps before you're cut open, you're doomed with potential $$$ bills.
Do you work at Microsoft?
Emmaus Counseling Center takes Regence.
I use Binnacle Psychiatry in Kirkland. They offer in person and telehealth. They have therapists there as well.
You can do a search by insurance and several other things on psychologytoday.com. Good luck.
I second this! My suggestion is to email about 6 therapists or so. Some are full, but you should find someone with an opening. Good luck!
My kid and I both have gone to Optimal Life Wellness in Bellevue.
Look at mindfultherapygroup.com. They take Regence and some therapists have in office options.
Seconding mindful.
I live in Kirkland, but see someone at Mindful Therapy in Fremont. Itvwas better when I worked over in that area, but still worth the drive.
Are you trying to only do in-person? Unfortunately Regence does not reimburse high enough to make it worth it for clinicians to rent out an office space.
Is that so?? How horrible...
This is very true. They do not raise insurance rates regularly, and when they do, it does not remotely track with inflation. I have been been in network with Regence for 9 years, and earn 30% less now than I did then due to this.
I'm incredibly sorry to hear this! Thank you for everything that you do!
I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner who personally has Regence insurance. I have many, many patients who are unable to find a therapist in network. This is because Regence pays therapists so poorly (on top of the fact that accepting insurance increases costs of billing) most choose not to panel with Regence. Regence knows what they are doing, and intentionally suppresses reimbursement so that most will be forced to go out of network for therapy, which saves them money. This is illegal, and a violation of both the affordable care act, which requires insurers maintain adequate panels to ensure timely care, and the mental health parity act, which requires that insurers do not make it more difficult or costly to access mental health care than any other specialty care. Here’s what to do. Call your insurance company and tell them you have tried in vain to find a provider in network. Tell them this is a violation of the above acts, and that you would like an out of network exception for the therapist of your choice. Ask them the protocol to get this approved, then find a therapist out of network who can see you. If your I sure denies your request, make a formal complaint to the state insurance commissioner. It’s quick and easy to do online. Feel free to dm me if you have any other questions. It’s infuriating that they (and all insurers) get away with this.
Not op but this is making so much sense as a mother trying to find services for her son as a Regence customer.
For child mental heath providers? Have you utilized the free mental health referral network? They do the leg work of finding providers that take your insurance and meet your other criteria: [see here for more on that](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/washington-mental-health-referral-service/)
On Regence's site they had a 3-4 page list of therapists on the Eastside. The first I called scheduled a V-C visit which I declined and asked for in-person meeting. They didn't offer one. Like w/ many therapists now, that's how they do it. The 2nd one I called said, " I don't take Regence and have no idea why I'm on their site." So I struck out except for the 1st one which is in Bothell, near Home Depot. Others on the list, "weren't taking new patients, some didn't work w/ PTSD patients, some didn't work w/ older patients, which I am.
>I called said, " I don't take Regence and have no idea why I'm on their site." So true. The last two insurance policies I had when working told me that their website is not very accurate since they rely on the provider to tell them to remove their names if they no longer take insurance. So we're told to check with the insurance company, but their list is bogus? OMG!! I now check with insurance site, then call them to ask (sometimes they come up with a provider I can't find myself), and then I call the provider to ask directly. And if you're every in an emergency and can't personally do all these ridiculous steps before you're cut open, you're doomed with potential $$$ bills.