Pojišťovna terapie: Co pokrývá a jak najít terapeuta, kterého pojišťovna schválí

When you need therapy, the first question isn’t always ‘who?’ but ‘will my health insurance pay for it?’ In the Czech Republic, pojišťovna terapie, finanční podpora psychoterapie poskytovaná zdravotními pojišťovnami. Also known as pokrytí psychoterapie, it is not automatic — and many people don’t realize how much depends on the therapist’s credentials, not just their diagnosis. If you’ve been told ‘pojišťovna to nekryje,’ it’s often not because your problem isn’t serious enough — it’s because your therapist isn’t on their approved list.

Not every psychologist or psychotherapist can bill public health insurance. Only those with specific certifications — like psychoterapeut s licencí, osoba s platnou licencí od Ministerstva zdravotnictví ČR. Also known as licencovaný terapeut, it is a legal requirement to be reimbursed by pojišťovna — are eligible. You can’t just walk into any private practice and expect the insurance to cover it. The same goes for psycholog s vysokoškolským vzděláním, osoba s ukončeným studiem psychologie na VŠ. Also known as psycholog, it is a different role than a licensed psychotherapist. Psychologists help, but they usually can’t invoice insurance directly unless they also hold a psychotherapy license.

And here’s the catch: even if your therapist is licensed, the insurance doesn’t cover everything. They typically pay for structured, time-limited therapies — like KBT or EMDR — for diagnosed conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or eating disorders. Long-term, open-ended therapy? Usually not. Group therapy? Sometimes. Online therapy? Increasingly, but only if the provider meets strict technical and ethical standards. And if you’re seeking therapy for relationship issues, burnout, or childhood trauma without a formal diagnosis? Good luck getting it covered.

So what can you do? First, ask your therapist: ‘Are you registered with the Ministry of Health and approved by VZP, OZP, or DZP?’ Don’t take ‘yes’ at face value — check their license number on the Ministry’s public registry. Second, know your insurance’s list of approved providers. Most have searchable directories online. Third, if your preferred therapist isn’t on the list, ask if they’re willing to apply. Many do — but it takes time.

Don’t assume that because a therapist is cheap or free, they’re better for your insurance. Some offer sliding scales or NGO-funded slots — those are often more accessible than insurance-covered ones. And if you’re stuck between paying out of pocket or waiting months for a state-approved slot, remember: therapy works best when you start now, not when the system allows it.

The posts below show real cases — from people who got their therapy paid for to those who fought the system and won. You’ll find guides on how to choose a therapist your pojišťovna will approve, how to appeal a denial, and what to do if you’re in crisis and can’t wait. No fluff. Just what works in the Czech system today.