The cost of anxiety treatment can vary depending on several factors, including where you live, whether you have insurance, and the type of treatment you need. Without insurance or other financial assistance, some people may pay hundreds of dollars per month.
Getting effective treatment for anxiety is essential to help protect your mental and overall health.
If your treatment plan includes medications or therapy, there may be ways to reduce your costs.
The cost of anxiety medications can change depending on many factors, including:
- what type of medication your doctor prescribes
- whether you take a brand-name or generic medication
- the dose of your medication
- how often you have to take your medication — many oral antidepressants are taken
once daily - where you live
- which pharmacy you go to
- whether you have insurance
Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are considered
The brand-name versions of common medications in these classes, including Lexapro and Effexor XR, can cost a few hundred dollars or more per month without insurance. However, the generic version of these medications can be significantly cheaper, often costing under $100 per month.
Your specific costs may be even lower if you have an insurance plan that covers your medication. Most insurance companies have a way to check whether a plan covers certain medications, so consider contacting them about your prescription.
Again, it’s important to note that the exact prices of anxiety medications will vary depending on the factors listed previously. Some people may also need to take more than one medication to manage their symptoms.
Keep this in mind
When you’re estimating your anxiety treatment costs, remember to account for doctors’ appointments necessary to get a prescription or refill.
Some insurance companies may offer less expensive online consultations for short-term refills if you can’t get to a doctor’s office. Contact your insurance company to learn more about your options.
Like with medications, many factors can affect the cost of psychotherapy for anxiety, including:
- what type of therapy you undergo
- how often you need therapy sessions
- whether you attend in-person or online sessions
- the type of healthcare professional who administers your therapy
- where you live
- whether you have insurance
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common part of anxiety management plans. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), CBT sessions can sometimes cost $100 or more per hour.
But again, your specific cost will vary depending on the factors listed previously. If you have an insurance plan that covers therapy and your therapist is part of your insurance network, your costs may be much lower.
Consider checking with your insurance company to determine whether your plan will help cover therapy costs.
Treatment for mental health conditions like anxiety disorders can be expensive, but there are ways to potentially lower your costs.
Lowering medication costs
Consider taking these steps to lower your anxiety medication costs:
- Ask for a generic drug instead of a brand-name medication: Generic versions of medications are typically much cheaper than brand-name versions.
- Try a pharmacy coupon: If you don’t have insurance or your plan doesn’t cover your medication, try searching for a pharmacy coupon to get a discount at your local pharmacy. Organizations like Optum Perks offer free pharmacy coupons that may help you save up to 80% on your prescriptions — just note that you can’t combine a pharmacy coupon and insurance.
- Consider a patient assistance program: Some pharmaceutical companies have programs that provide medications at lower costs to people without insurance. Check with the manufacturer of your medication to see if you may be eligible to participate.
Lowering therapy costs
If you have insurance, try to find a therapist in your network so your plan will cover some of the costs. Insurance companies typically have a way to search for in-network healthcare professionals.
If you don’t have insurance, you may also be able to find cheaper therapy options in your community. The ADAA notes that federally funded health centers and some college or university departments may offer mental health services at lower costs.
And although it can’t always replace in-person sessions, online therapy may be a less expensive option for some people.
Consider this
Though anxiety treatment can be expensive, the benefits may outweigh the costs.
A
Investing in your mental health sooner may help you save money in the long term.
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Effective anxiety management often involves self-care alongside medications and therapy, and many self-care practices can be performed at home without significant costs.
Self-care practices for anxiety can involve:
- getting regular physical activity
- following a regular sleep schedule
- eating a balanced diet
- spending time with loved ones
- creating boundaries to avoid overloading yourself
- spending time with a pet or outdoors
- practicing deep breathing exercises
Self-care practices, along with coping techniques for anxiety learned in therapy, may also help you manage your symptoms to the point that you need less medication or fewer therapy sessions. This may ultimately lower your treatment costs in the long run.
Anxiety treatments can sometimes be expensive, particularly for people who don’t have insurance. However, there are ways to lower your costs.
If medications are part of your management plan, generic medications are typically more affordable than their brand-name counterparts. You may also be able to find pharmacy coupons or patient assistance programs to help lower the price of your prescriptions.
You may also be able to find lower cost therapy options in your community or online.