Does Health Insurance Cover Emotional Support Animals? What You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by: Geralyn Dexter, PhD, LMHC

Getting an emotional support animal can be expensive. You need an ESA letter from a healthcare provider, which means paying for consultations. You also have to factor in the costs of adopting an animal (if you don’t already have a pet), and expenses.

This article will explain why insurance might not cover you and affordable alternatives to get an ESA letter if you have insufficient coverage or are uninsured.

Will insurance cover an emotional support animal?

An ESA letter has to come from a licensed mental health professional, so you’ll want to check If your insurance would cover a consultation with one. ESA letters are sort of like prescriptions. You don’t pay for the prescription itself, but you do pay for the visit and evaluation by your therapist or doctor.

Even if your insurance covers mental health services, it may not cover the full costs due to co-pays or deductibles.

A bigger issue might be that the providers in your insurance network may not offer ESA evaluation services. Not every healthcare professional is familiar with the ESA process, and some health plans actually don’t allow for ESA letters.

Be sure to discuss your intent to obtain an ESA letter with your healthcare provider before the appointment to make sure they can help.

You should ask these questions before scheduling an appointment with your healthcare provider:

Does the therapist or doctor offer ESA evaluations and ESA letters?
Does the provider accept my insurance?
What copays and deductibles will I be subject to?
What will the final cost be versus using a flat rate dedicated ESA service like ESA Doctors?

If you are ready to connect with a licensed health professional online for an ESA letter, click on the link to get started.

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How to Get an ESA Letter Without Insurance

If your insurance doesn’t cover ESA letter evaluations or you’re uninsured, the best alternative is ESA Doctors. The out-of-pocket costs for ESA evaluations from a private practice can vary significantly but can easily reach hundreds if not thousands of dollars for multiple sessions, depending on the provider and location.

Fortunately, there’s a more affordable way to get an ESA letter online, and it’s completely compliant with ESA rules. For a transparent flat rate fee, ESA Doctors will put you in touch with an ESA specialist qualified to write ESA letters. You’ll get everything you need to qualify for an emotional support animal.

Even if you have insurance, the cost of using ESA Doctors can still be more affordable when you factor in copays and deductibles. Keep in mind as well that the providers in your network may not offer ESA services, while the healthcare practitioners who work with ESA Doctors are ESA pros.

ESA Costs Beyond the Letter

Remember that health insurance typically does not cover the costs of feeding, grooming, and vaccinating an emotional support animal. The cost of adopting or purchasing the animal that will become your ESA is also usually not covered.

Be sure you have enough budget for these additional costs that may arise – especially unexpected ones, like medical care for your ESA.

Additional Tips for Using Insurance for an ESA

While health insurance may cover the cost of a medical visit that results in an ESA letter, there are nuances and limitations to consider. Here are some additional tips:

Familiarize yourself with the details of your insurance policy. This includes knowing what types of services and procedures are covered, the extent of coverage, and any exclusions or limitations.
Pay special attention to terms like deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, out-of-pocket maximums, and coverage limits.
Know which healthcare providers and facilities are within your insurance network, and make sure they do ESA evaluations. Using in-network providers usually results in lower costs than going out-of-network, as insurance companies negotiate rates with in-network providers.
Some insurance plans require pre-authorization or prior approval for certain services, procedures, or medications. Without this approval, the insurance company may not cover the cost.
If your insurance denies coverage for a service or treatment you believe should be covered, you have the right to appeal the decision. Familiarize yourself with your insurance provider’s appeals process.
Don’t hesitate to contact your insurance company’s customer service for clarification or assistance. They can provide specific information about your coverage and help resolve issues.