Optum is the network that administers behavioral health benefits for UnitedHealthcare and several employer plans. We're in-network with it — for adults across Oregon and Washington, by telehealth or in person — so most members pay only a specialist copay.
Optum behavioral health is the mental health network behind UnitedHealthcare and a number of employer-sponsored plans — if your card says UnitedHealthcare, your therapy and psychiatry benefits are almost certainly administered by Optum. MindHealth Psychiatry is in-network. We treat adult ADHD, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, verify your benefits before the first visit, and typically see new patients within about a day. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and Medicaid are not accepted.
This confuses a lot of people, reasonably. Optum is UnitedHealthcare's behavioral health arm — a separate administrative network that handles mental health and substance use benefits while UnitedHealthcare handles medical. So your insurance card says UnitedHealthcare, but when you search for a psychiatrist you end up in an Optum directory, and the phone number for behavioral health authorizations is different from the one on the back of your card.
Practically, it means one thing for you: a practice can be in-network with UnitedHealthcare medical and out-of-network for behavioral health, or the reverse. We're in-network on the behavioral health side, which is the side that matters for psychiatry. Before your first appointment we verify your specific benefits — deductible status, specialist copay, and whether your plan requires prior authorization — so you know your cost up front.
However you searched for us, it's the same care. Telepsychiatry means your visit happens over secure video instead of in a waiting room — Optum bills it identically to an in-office appointment. Online psychiatry and online booking mean you can pick a real appointment time yourself, complete intake in the portal, and never sit on hold.
And if you've been searching for Optum mental health providers rather than psychiatry specifically: what we provide is medication management for adult ADHD, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, delivered by a licensed clinician. We don't provide talk therapy in-house, but we coordinate closely with therapists and can help you find one who also takes Optum.
Optum members can be seen by secure-video telehealth anywhere in Oregon or Washington, or in person at our offices in Salem, Newberg, and Vancouver, WA. Both are billed identically — telehealth parity laws in both states require most commercial plans to cover a video visit the same way as an office visit.
We regularly see Optum members through State of Oregon plans (PEBB and OEBB), university and hospital employer groups, and self-referrals from across both states. You can switch between telehealth and in-person at any point.
Comprehensive evaluation, ASRS rating scales, stimulant and non-stimulant medication management. We do a real diagnostic visit, not a checklist.
Major depression, persistent low mood, postpartum depression. Measurement-based care with PHQ-9, careful medication management, therapist coordination.
Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety. SSRIs and CBT skills favored over sedating, habit-forming options, with honest conversations about trade-offs.
Trauma-informed psychiatric care for adults living with post-traumatic stress. Stabilization first; deeper work at your pace.
Read about trauma care →Beyond UnitedHealthcare / Optum, we're also in-network with Moda Health, Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Providence, PacificSource, Cigna / Evernorth, Aetna, MultiPlan / Claritev, First Health, First Choice, and Medicare.
We do not accept Medicaid or Oregon Health Plan (OHP) — including any Medicaid managed-care plan. Self-pay rates available by phone; superbills provided on request.
Optum is UnitedHealthcare’s behavioral health network — a separate administrative arm that handles mental health and substance use benefits while UnitedHealthcare handles medical. If your card says UnitedHealthcare, your psychiatry benefits are almost certainly administered through Optum.
Yes. We are in-network with Optum behavioral health for adults across Oregon and Washington, by telehealth or at our offices in Salem, Newberg, and Vancouver, WA.
Most members pay only a specialist copay per visit, typically $20–$60 depending on plan and deductible status. We verify your specific benefits before your first appointment and will tell you the number rather than making you guess.
Because Optum operates behind the scenes. Medical claims route through UnitedHealthcare; behavioral health claims route through Optum, often with a different phone number for authorizations. A practice can be in-network on one side and not the other — we are in-network on the behavioral health side, which is the one that matters for psychiatry.
No. We do not accept Medicaid, Oregon Health Plan (OHP), Washington Apple Health, or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan — only commercial and employer group plans administered through Optum.
Usually not for access — you can book directly. Some Optum plans require prior authorization for coverage of certain services. We check this when we verify your benefits and handle the paperwork if it is needed.
Book online or call to talk to someone. We’ll verify your Optum benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises.
