Free Therapy, Already Yours.

For Californians searching for free or low-cost therapy, especially Medi-Cal members who are not sure what their coverage includes.

Search for free therapy in California and you will find sliding-scale clinics, training clinics, support groups, and apps. All of those can help. But if you have Medi-Cal, the most direct path to free therapy may already be in your wallet.

Your plan cannot require a copay for Medi-Cal covered mental health services. In the 24 Northern California counties served by Partnership HealthPlan of California, outpatient mental health therapy is a benefit members already have, typically at no out-of-pocket cost when you see a contracted provider.

Covered services include individual therapy, group therapy when clinically appropriate, crisis intervention, and psychiatric medication management, all delivered by contracted clinicians. Therapy by video and by phone is covered too. California law requires Medi-Cal managed care plans, including Partnership, to cover telehealth at parity with in-person care.

There is no hard annual cap on sessions when care is medically necessary. “Medically necessary” is a clinical determination your therapist makes during your first session, not a pre-approval hurdle you have to clear before treatment starts. Under the state's No Wrong Door policy, covered care can begin before a diagnosis is made.

Medically necessary is a decision your therapist makes with you, not a hurdle you clear first.

It also helps to know which plan covers which care. California splits Medi-Cal mental health care into two levels. Outpatient therapy for mild to moderate symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, grief, and stress, is covered by Partnership. Specialty mental health services for significant impairment, such as crisis intervention and targeted case management, are covered by your county mental health plan.

Free does have a few conditions. The care needs to be medically necessary, and you need to see a provider contracted with your plan. If you choose a therapist who is not contracted with Partnership, you may be asked to pay privately. Before your first session, ask the practice to confirm it is contracted and that you will owe nothing for covered sessions.

Children and teens often get even broader coverage. For members under 21, mental health care runs through EPSDT, a federal mandate built into Medi-Cal that guarantees comprehensive screening and treatment coverage. A parent or guardian can start the process on a minor's behalf.

If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, sometimes called Medi-Medi, therapy can still be within reach. PMHS accepts Medicare and Medi-Medi as well as Partnership HealthPlan. We review any cost with you before your first session.

Not on Medi-Cal yet? You can apply online through BenefitsCal or through your county social services office. Eligibility depends on income and other factors, and the county makes the final determination.

PMHS is contracted with Partnership HealthPlan, so covered sessions are typically free for Medi-Cal members, with no referral and no waitlist. PMHS clinicians do not prescribe medication, but with your consent we can coordinate with your primary care provider or a psychiatric provider.

Getting started takes a few minutes. Submit our intake form at www.pacmhs.com/connect and we will reach out within one hour between 8am and 8pm, or by 9am the next morning to verify your PHP coverage and get your first session scheduled. You can also press the Get Started button below, which takes you to the same form.