Optum Behavioral Health

What Optum Behavioral Health is

Optum Behavioral Health, operated by Optum, is a large health insurance company's behavioral health network providing mental health care for children, teens, adults, and families. The service operates through a national network of 150+ locations with over 1,200 therapists and psychiatrists offering both in-person and virtual appointments. Participants access Optum Behavioral Health through existing Optum insurance coverage rather than as a standalone service purchase. The company positions itself as a comprehensive behavioral health system within the larger Optum Wellbeing ecosystem.

The network serves mental health concerns ranging from anxiety and depression to ADHD, trauma, substance use, eating disorders, and relationship problems. Care is delivered through licensed therapists and medical providers who offer various treatment modalities and can coordinate both therapy and medication management when needed.

How care is accessed and delivered

Optum Behavioral Health functions as an insurance network rather than a single program. Participants access care by contacting the network's scheduling line at 1-877-622-0013 or booking online. The company states that care may be available as soon as the next day, pending insurance verification and billing confirmation. This is contingent on the participant's specific insurance plan, their location, and which providers are currently accepting new patients.

Participants have the option of in-person appointments at one of the 150+ clinic locations or virtual visits from home. After scheduling, the participant meets with a care team that helps match them to appropriate services based on their needs and goals. The company states it "works with you to find care that supports your goals" and that "your goals, values and life experiences matter," taking family, culture, and community into account when planning treatment.

The core services are individual therapy (one-on-one sessions with a therapist), group therapy (therapist-led groups for people with similar concerns), family therapy, and couples therapy. Beyond these standard therapy formats, Optum Behavioral Health offers specific therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), exposure-based approaches, trauma-informed therapy, psychodynamic therapy, play therapy (for children), and expressive therapies using art, music, or movement. For specific populations, the network provides gender-affirming mental health care for transgender and nonbinary clients and specialized support for treatment-resistant depression.

For participants who need medication management, the network includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who review medical history and symptoms to determine treatment. Many providers offer both therapy and medication management together, while others focus on medication management and coordinate with the therapist or broader care team. Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are available for people needing more support than weekly therapy but not requiring hospitalization. In an IOP, participants attend therapy several times a week, often in groups, but return home each day. A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is also listed as an option for comprehensive structured daytime treatment.

What the pages establish

The network is staffed with licensed therapists and medical providers using "proven treatment methods and clinical expertise." The company serves "mental health care for children, teens and adults" and explicitly lists numerous conditions it addresses: anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), relationship and family concerns, bipolar disorder, substance use concerns and recovery support, depression, trauma-related conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders and body image concerns, and grief.

Optum Behavioral Health accepts "most insurances," though the company does not list specific carriers on the captured pages. The company states it can help participants "check your insurance" and that "most insurance accepted" is part of its approach. The pages note that "coverage depends on your plan," emphasizing that specific coverage is individual.

The network has 150+ locations across the country and over 1,200 therapists and psychiatrists. Appointments are available as soon as tomorrow (pending verification and setup). The company offers contact through both phone (1-877-622-0013) and online scheduling.

Geographic and service limitations

Optum Behavioral Health explicitly does not provide therapy services in all states. The pages state that "therapy services for new patients are currently unavailable in Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, North Dakota, and West Virginia." This is a significant limitation for residents of those five states seeking this network's care. The service areas for in-person locations and virtual care may also vary by specific insurance plan and provider availability.

What is not stated

The pages do not list specific insurance carriers that are in-network with Optum Behavioral Health. While the company asserts it accepts "most insurances," readers cannot determine before calling whether their specific plan is covered. There is no published pricing for individual therapy sessions, initial evaluations, or ongoing care. There is no mention of copays, deductibles, or whether patients pay per session or per month. Participants will need to contact the company or verify through their insurance to understand costs.

The pages do not specify average wait times beyond "as soon as the next day" for appointments. They do not detail whether medication management is available at all locations or through all insurance plans. The page also does not specify clinical credentials of individual providers, whether therapists are licensed counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, or other licensure types. It does not clarify whether providers are employees of Optum Behavioral Health or part of a contracted network, and it does not detail how long typical therapy relationships last or what the treatment plan process looks like.

There is no information about age cutoffs for child services, specifics on how the IOP or PHP programs are accessed or paced, or whether crisis or emergency services are available outside normal business hours.

Who it fits

Optum Behavioral Health serves people with Optum insurance who need mental health care and want a choice of providers and treatment settings. It works for people who prefer in-person appointments at established clinics as well as those who need or prefer virtual visits. The large therapist network increases the likelihood of finding a provider who matches a participant's needs and preferences.

The service is designed for adults with established insurance and the ability to navigate the insurance verification process. It serves families and couples seeking therapy together as well as individuals. The range of specific therapy modalities (CBT, DBT, ACT, trauma-informed, etc.) means participants can often access evidence-based treatment tailored to their condition.

The service is not available to new therapy patients in Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, North Dakota, or West Virginia. It is not suitable for people without Optum insurance or those seeking a standalone mental health program independent of an insurance network. People needing crisis intervention should use the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) rather than routing through the standard Optum network.