What insurance pays therapists in California
In California, insurers typically reimburse $74 to $125 for a 60-minute therapy session (CPT 90837), depending on the payer. Typical rates for every payer and code are in the table below. Updated July 2026.
- Reimbursement rates retrieved from CMS transparency data
- Updated July 2026
Rates by payer and CPT code in California
Aetna is typically the strongest payer for a 60-minute session in California, at $125, while Cigna sits lowest at $74. Taken together, California runs about 4% above the national average across the same networks. The grid below is the full picture: every payer and session type, using the conservative low end of each payer's published contracts.
| Payer | 90837 (60-min therapy) | 90834 (45-min therapy) | 90791 (Initial evaluation) | 90847 (Family therapy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $125 | $89 | $143 | $101 |
| Anthem BCBS | $120 | $84 | $135 | $92 |
| Cigna | $74 | $68 | $108 | $75 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $116 | $79 | $138 | $96 |
Payer by payer in California
Aetna in California
Aetna typically reimburses $125 for a 60-minute session (90837) in California, with contracts commonly running $125–$154. That's about 9% above its national figure. All Aetna rates.
Anthem BCBS in California
Anthem BCBS typically reimburses $120 for a 60-minute session (90837) in California, with contracts commonly running $120–$142. That's about 4% above its national figure. All Anthem BCBS rates.
Cigna in California
Cigna typically reimburses $74 for a 60-minute session (90837) in California, with contracts commonly running $74–$108. That's about 6% above its national figure. All Cigna rates.
UnitedHealthcare in California
UnitedHealthcare typically reimburses $116 for a 60-minute session (90837) in California, with contracts commonly running $116–$121. That's right in line with its national figure. All UnitedHealthcare rates.
Explore more rates
About this data
From CMS Transparency in Coverage files, which insurers must publish. This page reflects published contracted rates for licensed behavioral health providers in California. Each figure is the typical contracted rate for master's-level clinicians (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT): a guide, not a quote, and credentialing never guarantees panel acceptance. Last synced July 2026.
Common questions
- Which insurance pays therapists the most in California?
- Aetna, typically $125 for a 60-minute session (90837); Cigna is lowest at $74.
- Is therapy reimbursement in California higher or lower than the national average?
- About 4% above the typical national rate for a 60-minute session, across the same payers.
- How do I get paneled with these insurers in California?
- These are in-network rates, so the first step is getting credentialed with each payer. Payers typically take 60 to 120 days to review, and that clock only starts once a clean application is filed, so starting sooner means you're in network sooner. We prepare, check, and file each application for a one-time $99 per payer, then chase every follow-up for you. Start with paneled.ai.
Rates like these start with getting on the panels.
We handle the applications and follow-ups, start to finish, from $99 one-time. No subscriptions.