I am currently seeing an out-of-network provider for weekly sessions (and have been doing so for a number of years). My insurance, United HealthCare, sent me a determination several years ago that they would only cover (at 70% reimbursement) once-weekly sessions (perhaps due to my diagnostic code, which is not dire). However, I am approaching a number of very stressful life events occurring at the same time - beginning grad school while working full-time, two kids at home, and several others - and would love the option to see my therapist twice weekly. However, I simply cannot afford to pay my therapist's full fee for a second session.

Does anyone know of any way of persuading insurance to expand their determination to cover sessions twice weekly, if only for a limited period of time? Or can my provider do something to recode my diagnosis that would help persuade them to do so?

Also, my wife and I saw a couples therapist for a few months not long ago, who happened to be in-network, and my insurance covered his fee (less a small co-pay), even though he submitted the claims under my name and probably used a mental health diagnostic code (although I can't be sure). So I was essentially seeing two different therapists a week at the time, and being covered for both. Why would they cover two sessions a week for different providers but not two sessions a week for the same provider?