Over the past decade, we have witnessed the increased popularity of emotional support animals. While this role is usually reserved for small animals, horses can play an important part in therapy. If your teen has a mental health condition, equine therapy is effective and can be beneficial for them. Interactions with horses and other animals can have stress-reducing effects.
Teen equine therapy is an experimental approach where your teen will engage in activities like feeding and grooming under supervision. Horses are large animals that are very sensitive to emotion and movement. This makes them the perfect therapy animal for teens with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Horses can also be used for physical therapy after a traumatic event.
If you are looking for help for your son or daughter, give Nexus Teen Academy a call today. We have third-party equine therapy providers who are a part of the comprehensive and individualized treatment programs we offer to help adolescents with their mental health treatment.
At this point, you may be asking “Is equine-assisted therapy covered by insurance?” Let’s take a closer look.
Does Insurance Cover Equine Therapy?
If you are considering equine therapy for your teen, it is important to understand whether it will be covered by insurance. Insurance coverage for equine therapy varies widely. It can depend on your insurance type, state regulations, and medical necessity.
Many insurance providers do not list equine therapy as one of the treatments covered. However, you may get equine therapy for your teen under the wider umbrella of mental health treatment. You will succeed more with this if equine therapy is integrated into a teen residential treatment program, such is the case at Nexus Teen Academy. The following factors can influence your coverage level:
Medical necessity: Remember that insurance companies cover services that are deemed medically necessary. You can get equine therapy approved if you get a recommendation from a psychologist deeming it necessary.
Insurance type: Many private health insurance providers may cover equine therapy. Private insurers are more likely to cover it than Medicare or Medicaid. It is important to confirm this information with your insurer before beginning treatment.
State regulations: Some states have regulations mandating mental health treatment coverage. You may get equine therapy covered as part of teen mental health treatment in those states.
Private Insurance and Equine Therapy
Many insurers cover equine therapy as part of inpatient treatment. Insurers may require documentation from a psychologist deeming equine therapy necessary for them to approve coverage. Likely, you may not see this type of therapy listed under covered services. This is because insurers limit coverage to reduce costs. As a result, you need to confirm whether your insurer will cover your teen’s treatment.
Some private insurers that offer some coverage for equine therapy include the following:
Remember to confirm this information with your provider.
How to Get Equine Therapy Covered by Insurance
Getting equine therapy covered by your provider can be challenging. Many providers consider it a ‘non-essential’ or ‘alternative’ treatment. However, you can get it covered by using the right approach. These include the following:
Verify Insurance Coverage for Equine Therapy
To get your teen’s equine therapy approved, you need to understand your insurance plan. Read the policy to confirm whether alternative therapies are covered. Look for your coverage level under mental health services. If you are unable to verify coverage, contact your insurance provider. Some facilities may also help you verify coverage if you submit your insurance information with them.
Work with Your Therapist or Physician
Equine therapy is mostly covered if it is deemed medically necessary. To get it approved, get a diagnosis from a mental health provider. Many insurers cover equine therapy for teen PTSD, anxiety, and teen depression. Once you have a diagnosis, the physician can write you a referral letter recommending equine therapy.
Submit A Pre-Authorization Request
Submitting a pre-authorization request may increase your chances of having equine therapy approved. When filing your pre-authorization, include all necessary documentation, such as the diagnosis and referral letter.
File an Appeal
In case coverage is denied, file an appeal. Many insurance providers do not want the hassle of going through an appeals process and will approve coverage. Before filing your appeal, you need to understand why your claim was denied. Explain why equine therapy is necessary and how it has been integrated into your teen’s treatment plan. However, if your appeal is denied, you can also request a second-level review. Many states require an external review for denied claims.
Alternative Ways to Fund Equine Therapy
If you fail to secure insurance coverage for equine therapy, do not worry. There are alternative ways to fund your teen’s treatment. These include the following:
Scholarships
Many mental health treatment facilities like Nexus Teen Academy offer treatment scholarships. All you have to do is contact the facility and apply for a scholarship. Mental health treatment centers offer scholarships because they want treatment to be available to everyone. The facility may find your teen’s equine therapy if you qualify for a scholarship.
Grants
Nonprofits like PATH International offer grants to accredited treatment centers. It may be helpful to apply for a grant if you cannot afford treatment. Other organizations like Autism Speaks also offer condition-specific grants. Look for an organization that advocates for your teen’s mental health condition and apply for a treatment scholarship or grant.
Out-of-Pocket Payment Options
If you can afford to pay for your teen’s treatment, negotiate flexible rates and payment plans with the provider. This will enable your teen to receive treatment without costly out-of-pocket payments.
Teen Equine Therapy at Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy offers equine therapy through our third-party providers. While all forms of treatment are subject to each individual’s personalized treatment plan, many of our clients will go through equine therapy as a part of our programming due to the vast benefits of teen equine therapy.
To learn more about how our equine therapy component may be able to help your teen, contact our team today. We can walk you through the treatment process and verify your insurance benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What conditions can equine therapy help treat?
Equine therapy can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. These include the following:
Anxiety
Depression
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Substance use disorder
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Does Medicare cover equine therapy?
Medicare does not generally cover equine therapy, which is considered an ‘alternative’ treatment option.
How do I find equine therapy centers that accept insurance?
You can find accredited therapy centers that accept insurance by browsing the internet. Look for centers located near you and contact them to inquire about insurance.
Can equine therapy be used for children with autism?
Equine therapy can be used for teens with autism. When done properly, it can help improve their social and behavioral skills.
What is the average cost of equine therapy sessions without insurance?
The cost of equine therapy varies from facility to facility. The cost ranges between $50 and $350, depending on the facility and type of program.
Are there any risks associated with equine therapy?
Equine therapy may have the following risks:
Physical harm: Working with horses is inherently dangerous. They may inflict bodily harm, ranging from minor bruising to fractures.
Emotional risks: In case of physical injury, equine therapy can cause additional trauma. It may also evoke difficult emotions that can be hard to manage.
Is Equine Therapy Covered By Insurance?
Published By nexus_admin
Published On February 14, 2025
Table of Contents
Over the past decade, we have witnessed the increased popularity of emotional support animals. While this role is usually reserved for small animals, horses can play an important part in therapy. If your teen has a mental health condition, equine therapy is effective and can be beneficial for them. Interactions with horses and other animals can have stress-reducing effects.
Teen equine therapy is an experimental approach where your teen will engage in activities like feeding and grooming under supervision. Horses are large animals that are very sensitive to emotion and movement. This makes them the perfect therapy animal for teens with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Horses can also be used for physical therapy after a traumatic event.
If you are looking for help for your son or daughter, give Nexus Teen Academy a call today. We have third-party equine therapy providers who are a part of the comprehensive and individualized treatment programs we offer to help adolescents with their mental health treatment.
At this point, you may be asking “Is equine-assisted therapy covered by insurance?” Let’s take a closer look.
Does Insurance Cover Equine Therapy?
If you are considering equine therapy for your teen, it is important to understand whether it will be covered by insurance. Insurance coverage for equine therapy varies widely. It can depend on your insurance type, state regulations, and medical necessity.
Many insurance providers do not list equine therapy as one of the treatments covered. However, you may get equine therapy for your teen under the wider umbrella of mental health treatment. You will succeed more with this if equine therapy is integrated into a teen residential treatment program, such is the case at Nexus Teen Academy. The following factors can influence your coverage level:
Private Insurance and Equine Therapy
Many insurers cover equine therapy as part of inpatient treatment. Insurers may require documentation from a psychologist deeming equine therapy necessary for them to approve coverage. Likely, you may not see this type of therapy listed under covered services. This is because insurers limit coverage to reduce costs. As a result, you need to confirm whether your insurer will cover your teen’s treatment.
Some private insurers that offer some coverage for equine therapy include the following:
Remember to confirm this information with your provider.
How to Get Equine Therapy Covered by Insurance
Getting equine therapy covered by your provider can be challenging. Many providers consider it a ‘non-essential’ or ‘alternative’ treatment. However, you can get it covered by using the right approach. These include the following:
Verify Insurance Coverage for Equine Therapy
To get your teen’s equine therapy approved, you need to understand your insurance plan. Read the policy to confirm whether alternative therapies are covered. Look for your coverage level under mental health services. If you are unable to verify coverage, contact your insurance provider. Some facilities may also help you verify coverage if you submit your insurance information with them.
Work with Your Therapist or Physician
Equine therapy is mostly covered if it is deemed medically necessary. To get it approved, get a diagnosis from a mental health provider. Many insurers cover equine therapy for teen PTSD, anxiety, and teen depression. Once you have a diagnosis, the physician can write you a referral letter recommending equine therapy.
Submit A Pre-Authorization Request
Submitting a pre-authorization request may increase your chances of having equine therapy approved. When filing your pre-authorization, include all necessary documentation, such as the diagnosis and referral letter.
File an Appeal
In case coverage is denied, file an appeal. Many insurance providers do not want the hassle of going through an appeals process and will approve coverage. Before filing your appeal, you need to understand why your claim was denied. Explain why equine therapy is necessary and how it has been integrated into your teen’s treatment plan. However, if your appeal is denied, you can also request a second-level review. Many states require an external review for denied claims.
Alternative Ways to Fund Equine Therapy
If you fail to secure insurance coverage for equine therapy, do not worry. There are alternative ways to fund your teen’s treatment. These include the following:
Scholarships
Many mental health treatment facilities like Nexus Teen Academy offer treatment scholarships. All you have to do is contact the facility and apply for a scholarship. Mental health treatment centers offer scholarships because they want treatment to be available to everyone. The facility may find your teen’s equine therapy if you qualify for a scholarship.
Grants
Nonprofits like PATH International offer grants to accredited treatment centers. It may be helpful to apply for a grant if you cannot afford treatment. Other organizations like Autism Speaks also offer condition-specific grants. Look for an organization that advocates for your teen’s mental health condition and apply for a treatment scholarship or grant.
Out-of-Pocket Payment Options
If you can afford to pay for your teen’s treatment, negotiate flexible rates and payment plans with the provider. This will enable your teen to receive treatment without costly out-of-pocket payments.
Teen Equine Therapy at Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy offers equine therapy through our third-party providers. While all forms of treatment are subject to each individual’s personalized treatment plan, many of our clients will go through equine therapy as a part of our programming due to the vast benefits of teen equine therapy.
To learn more about how our equine therapy component may be able to help your teen, contact our team today. We can walk you through the treatment process and verify your insurance benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Equine therapy can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. These include the following:
Medicare does not generally cover equine therapy, which is considered an ‘alternative’ treatment option.
You can find accredited therapy centers that accept insurance by browsing the internet. Look for centers located near you and contact them to inquire about insurance.
Equine therapy can be used for teens with autism. When done properly, it can help improve their social and behavioral skills.
The cost of equine therapy varies from facility to facility. The cost ranges between $50 and $350, depending on the facility and type of program.
Equine therapy may have the following risks: