The short answer

How much does therapy cost with The Empire Plan?

For most Empire Plan members seeing an in-network therapist, the cost is just a per-session copay — often a modest, predictable amount — rather than the full session fee. Your exact copay depends on your specific plan. As NYSHIP specialists, we verify your copay for free and bill the plan directly, so you only pay your copay with no surprise bills or claim forms.

In most cases, you pay only a copay

When you see an in-network therapist with NYSHIP / The Empire Plan, you typically don't pay the full session fee. Instead, you pay a per-session copay — a set, predictable amount — and the plan covers the rest. For many members, that makes ongoing weekly therapy genuinely affordable.

What affects your cost

  • In-network vs. out-of-network. In-network care (like ours) means a lower, predictable copay and direct billing. Out-of-network can mean paying upfront and chasing reimbursement.
  • Your specific plan. Copay amounts vary by plan, which is why a quick benefits check matters.
  • Deductibles. Some plans apply a deductible before copays kick in; many NYSHIP members have low or no deductible for in-network mental health. We confirm this for you.

What you won't pay

With an in-network NYSHIP practice that bills directly, you generally avoid the things that make therapy feel expensive: no paying the full fee upfront, no surprise out-of-pocket bills, and no submitting your own claim forms for reimbursement. You pay your copay at the time of service — that's it.

How to find out your exact copay

The only way to know your precise cost is to check your specific benefits. Rather than calling the insurer, request a consultation and we'll verify your NYSHIP / Empire Plan benefits for free and tell you your exact copay before your first session. Curious how many sessions are covered? See our guide on how many sessions The Empire Plan covers.

Find out your exact copay — free.

We'll verify your NYSHIP / Empire Plan benefits and confirm your per-session cost before you begin.

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This article is general educational information, not insurance, legal, or financial advice. Coverage and costs depend on your specific NYSHIP / Empire Plan benefits. We verify your exact benefits for free before you begin.