Using Out of Network (OON) Insurance Benefits for Music Therapy

As of 2026, Empower Music Therapy has partnered with Thrizer to help qualifying clients use out-of-network (OON) insurance benefits for music therapy sessions.

What Is Thrizer?

Thrizer is a secure payment platform that helps clients navigate their out-of-network insurance benefits, while allowing providers to be paid their full rate. Thrizer saves clients an average of 70% on sessions even if therapists don’t directly accept their insurance.

Thrizer handles insurance claims, paperwork, and reimbursement FOR you.

What Are Out-of-Network (OON) Benefits?

Some commercial insurance plans offer partial reimbursement when you see a provider who is not in their insurance network. These are called out-of-network (OON) benefits. Since we are not an in-network provider, these are the insurance benefits that can be utilized for our services.

If your plan includes OON benefits, Thrizer can:

  • Review your insurance information

  • Let you know whether your plan offers reimbursement

  • Support you in using those benefits for music therapy sessions

Not every plan includes OON coverage, and benefits vary by plan—which is why Thrizer checks this for you.

Let’s find out if you qualify!

Who IS a good fit for Thrizer?

You may qualify if:

  • You are on a private/commercial insurance plan (such as Aetna, BCBS, United, Anthem, etc.)

  • Your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits

What This Can Look Like in Real Life

Anna’s situation:

  • Anna has a private insurance plan with OON benefits

  • Her out-of-network deductible is $250

  • Empower’s session rate is $125

  • Her plan covers 60% of OON services after the deductible is met

Here’s how it works:

  1. Anna attends her first two sessions at Empower

    • $125 × 2 sessions = $250

    • These payments meet her OON deductible

  2. Once her deductible is met, insurance begins covering 60% of each session

  3. For each $125 session after that:

    • Insurance covers $75

    • Anna pays $50

Instead of paying $125 per session, Anna now pays $50 per session.

Thrizer handles the claims and reimbursement process, so Anna doesn’t have to pay in full and wait months to be reimbursed.

Who Is Not a Good Fit for Thrizer?

Thrizer is not a good fit if:

  • You are on Medicare, Medicaid, or TN Care
    (These plans do not include out-of-network benefits.)

  • Your plan has a very high out-of-network deductible
    In these cases, families may need to pay the full session rate for a long time before insurance contributes, which may not feel financially supportive.

  • You do not have OON benefits

A Reassuring Note

If Thrizer isn’t a fit, we’re still happy to talk through other options, including:

  • Private pay planning (including sliding scale options)

  • Community-based resources, when available

Our goal is always to help you find a sustainable, supportive path forward, whether or not insurance is part of that picture.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re a current Empower client:

Run your information through the widget above to see if you qualify! After that, email office@empowermusictherapy.com with:

  • A photo of your insurance card

  • The primary policy holder’s date of birth

Our team will confirm your information in Thrizer and follow up with next steps.

If you’re new to Empower:

You’re welcome to schedule a discovery call with our administrative coordinator to explore whether music therapy—and this potential payment option—might be a supportive fit for you or your family.

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