Find a psychiatrist in San Mateo, CA — covered by insurance

Start by identifying your goals for care — whether that's medication management, a diagnostic evaluation, or a combination of therapy and medication. On Headway, you can browse psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in the San Mateo area, read detailed bios about their approach and specialties, and book a session directly. Every provider listed is accepting new patients, and many offer a free phone consultation so you can see if it's a good fit before committing. You can also filter by insurance plan to see only providers who are in-network with your coverage.

The cost of a psychiatry session in San Mateo varies based on your insurance plan, provider, and the type of visit. When you select a provider on Headway and enter your insurance details, Headway verifies your coverage and provides an estimated session cost before you book. Many patients with in-network coverage pay as low as $0 per session. You can pay by credit card, debit card, HSA, FSA, or HRA card, or by connecting your bank account. You are only charged after your session takes place.

Many psychiatrists in San Mateo accept insurance, though the specific plans accepted vary by provider. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Oscar, Oxford, and all Optum affiliates. To confirm what coverage is available in San Mateo, enter your insurance details on Headway and browse providers who are verified as in-network for your specific coverage. To confirm whether your plan is accepted, enter your insurance details on Headway and browse providers who are verified as in-network for your specific coverage.

Yes, many psychiatrists in the San Mateo area offer virtual visits in addition to in-person sessions. On Headway, you can see which providers offer virtual appointments when browsing their profiles. Many insurance plans cover virtual psychiatry visits, though coverage details vary by plan. When you enter your insurance information on Headway, you can confirm whether virtual sessions are covered under your specific benefits.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and sometimes provide talk therapy. Therapists focus on talk therapy and may hold titles such as licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or licensed professional counselor (LPC) — they cannot prescribe medication. Psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are another option; they can also diagnose conditions and prescribe medication. On Headway, you can find both psychiatrists and therapists to match your specific needs.

In many cases, you can see a psychiatrist without a referral. However, some insurance plans — particularly HMO plans — may require a referral from a primary care physician before covering a visit with a specialist. Check your plan's requirements or enter your insurance details on Headway to confirm your coverage. If your plan does allow self-referral, you can browse psychiatrists on Headway and book directly.