Which insurance do you take?
The plans below, in full. If yours is not one of them, call and ask anyway: out-of-network benefits are further down this page and they are worth asking about.
Priority Health
We also accept commercial insurance, cash, check, credit card and health savings plans.
Do you take Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan?
Yes, and Blue Care Network and Blue Cross Complete as well. They are three different products from the same family and people are often not sure which one they have. The answer is on the front of your card; read us the whole line when you call and we will work it out with you.
I am on Medicaid. Can I come here?
Blue Cross Complete is a Michigan Medicaid plan and it is accepted here. If you are on a different Medicaid plan, the place to start is Wellvance, formerly AuSable Valley Community Mental Health Authority, which is the community mental health authority for Iosco, Ogemaw and Oscoda counties. They have offices in Tawas City, Oscoda, West Branch and Mio, and their numbers are on the crisis resources page. That is a straight referral rather than a brush-off: for Medicaid they are the right first call and we will say so.
Will my plan actually cover counseling?
Coverage depends on your specific plan, not just on your insurer. Two people with the same card can have different mental health benefits. Before your first appointment, call the number on the back of your card and ask: is outpatient mental health covered, do I have a copay or a deductible, and do I need a referral or prior authorization. If you tell us what you find out, we will help you make sense of it.
What should I ask my insurer?
Three questions, worth writing down before you dial.
| Ask them | Why |
|---|---|
| Is outpatient mental health covered on my plan? | Some plans cover it in full, some part, and a few not at all. |
| Do I have a copay, or a deductible to meet first? | A deductible means you pay the full session rate until it is met, which surprises people in January. |
| Do I need a referral or prior authorization? | If you do and you have not got one, the claim can be refused after the appointment has happened. |
Do I need a referral?
Usually not. Most plans do not require one for outpatient mental health, but some do, and the only way to know is to ask yours. Tell us what they say when you call.
What does it cost if I am paying for myself?
Call (989) 728-2364 and ask what a session costs. You will get a straight number. It is not published here because a fee is exactly the sort of figure that must be right on the day you read it rather than on the day somebody typed it.
You also have the right to a Good Faith Estimate in writing of what your care will cost before you start. Read about Good Faith Estimates, including what to do if a bill comes in $400 or more above one.
What if you are out of network for me?
Your plan may still pay part of the cost. Ask your insurer about out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits, and whether they accept a superbill, which is an itemized receipt you send them for reimbursement.
What if cost is the reason I have not called?
Call anyway and say so. It is a normal conversation to have here, and it is a better conversation than the one where you put this off for another year.
Appointments and what to expect covers what happens once the money question is settled.
Reviewed by Ann Marie Shay, MA, LPC, September 2026.