Does Insurance Cover Anger Management Classes?

March 31st, 2025

Does Insurance or Medicaid Cover Anger Management Classes?

If you’ve been required by the court—or encouraged by an employer or therapist—to attend anger management classes, one of your first questions might be: Does insurance cover this? Can I use Medicaid for anger management classes?

The short answer: sometimes, but not always.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the possibilities of using insurance or Medicaid to cover anger management, how to check your benefits, and what to do if it’s not covered.

Why This Matters

Anger management programs are essential tools for personal development, mental health, and legal compliance. But when faced with high costs, people often delay or avoid enrolling—sometimes jeopardizing their court case or personal well-being.

If you’re hoping to use insurance or Medicaid to offset the cost of anger management classes, you’re not alone.

Let’s explore your options.

Does Health Insurance Cover Anger Management Classes?

In many cases, standard health insurance plans do not cover stand-alone anger management courses—especially if they are labeled as educational or non-clinical.

However, you may have coverage if:

Anger issues are part of a larger mental health diagnosis (e.g., anxiety, PTSD, or depression)
The program is billed as individual or group therapy
The provider is a licensed mental health professional (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, etc.)
The sessions are conducted in a clinical setting, not just educational

Key tip: If you’re seeing a therapist or counselor already, ask if they can integrate court-approved anger management into your therapy sessions and bill it to your insurance as part of your treatment plan.

Key tip: If you're seeing a therapist or counselor already, ask if they can integrate court-approved anger management into your therapy sessions and bill it to your insurance as part of your treatment plan.

What About Medicaid or Medicare?

Medicaid Coverage for Anger Management

Medicaid coverage varies by state. Some Medicaid plans may cover anger management as a form of behavioral therapy, especially for:

Court-mandated counseling
Domestic violence-related cases
Substance use and co-occurring anger issues
Youth programs (for teens or young adults)

To find out, contact your Medicaid provider or visit your state’s Medicaid website. Use phrases like:

“Does Medicaid cover behavioral therapy for anger?”
“Do you cover court-ordered anger management?”
“Are licensed counselors covered for anger-related sessions?”

Medicare Coverage for Anger Management

Medicare may cover anger management if provided by a licensed therapist and tied to a covered mental health condition. But like with private insurance, they usually don’t cover standalone educational courses, especially those taken solely for court compliance.

What’s Not Covered

In most cases, insurance or Medicaid will not cover:

Online, self-paced anger management courses
Standalone programs offered by non-clinical providers
Court-mandated classes that don’t involve therapy
Certificates of completion or documentation fees

That means many of the programs designed for quick, court-approved completion are considered “out-of-pocket.”

How to Check If You're Covered

To avoid surprises, follow these steps:

1. Contact Your Insurance Provider

Ask:

“Do you cover anger management classes or therapy?”
“Are online programs or court-ordered programs included?”
“What providers are in-network for behavioral therapy?”

2. Talk to Your Doctor or Mental Health Provider

If you’re already in treatment, they may be able to incorporate anger management into your therapy plan and bill insurance appropriately.

3. Get a Referral

Some insurance companies require a primary care physician or therapist to refer you for behavioral health services.

Alternatives If You’re Not Covered

If your plan doesn’t cover the course—and most court-ordered classes aren’t—don’t worry. There are still affordable, flexible options.

✅ Court-Approved Online Anger Management Classes

Our Court-Approved Online Anger Management Classes: The Definitive Guide explains how to find cost-effective programs that meet court standards.

Prices range from $25–$199
Self-paced, with 24/7 access
Certificate included (no surprise fees)

✅ Sliding Scale or Low-Cost Programs

Many nonprofits and community health centers offer anger management classes on a sliding scale. Check with:

Local behavioral health agencies
Court resource departments
Family or youth services organizations

You can also read our post on Free Court-Approved Anger Management Classes for more low-cost options.

✅ Employer Assistance Programs (EAP)

If you’re employed, your company may offer free or subsidized counseling through an EAP, which may include anger management or referrals to licensed providers.

Choosing the Right Course (Insurance or Not)

Must-Have Feature	Why It Matters
Court approval	Ensures legal compliance
Licensed instructor	Builds credibility, may qualify for coverage
Verifiable contact info	Needed for court or probation verification
Curriculum based on CBT	Recognized by courts and therapists

If you’re not sure how many hours your course needs, check out How Long Are Anger Management Classes?

If your plan doesn’t cover the course—and most court-ordered classes aren’t—don’t worry. There are still affordable, flexible options.

Ready to Begin?

Even if your insurance doesn’t cover the cost, our affordable, court-approved anger management classes make it easy to complete your requirements: