Insurance

Why do grief counselors avoid filing insurance?
Why can’t I use my insurance benefits?

Grief and bereavement are not classified as a mental disorder by the medical coding that is used by insurance companies for reimbursement.
Grief is a natural part of daily life and, while we often feel crazy and wonder if we will ever feel better, it is not a psychological disorder. Ethical providers are hesitant to diagnose a grieving person because they are likely to suffer from depression and other symptoms during this time.

If symptoms persist, then a diagnosis may be warranted and discussions about such matters can be help with your counselor. Another exception to diagnosing occurs when a person seeks grief counseling but has previously been treated for a mental health issue. Grief therapy may use the same diagnosis coding for these sessions because grieving is complicated by the mental health diagnosis.