If you have more than one health insurance plan, coordination of benefits (COB) determines how your insurers share the cost of your care. This article explains how primary and secondary insurance work together, how coverage order is determined, and how to add your secondary insurance to your Grow Therapy account.
Key Points
COB applies when you have two health insurance plans. Your primary insurance pays first; your secondary insurance covers some or all of the remaining costs.
The order of your coverage is determined by standard industry rules — your employer-sponsored plan is typically primary over a plan you're covered under as a dependent.
Adding secondary insurance to your Grow Therapy account requires contacting the billing support team — it cannot be done through the client portal. Have your insurance card ready when you reach out.
Not all providers accept secondary insurance. The billing team will confirm whether your provider accepts both plans before adding the secondary insurance to your account.
Overview
What is coordination of benefits?
Coordination of benefits (COB) applies when you have more than one health insurance plan. It ensures your medical expenses are appropriately covered when multiple insurers are involved and prevents any insurer from paying more than the actual cost of care.
How do primary and secondary insurance work together?
Your primary insurance pays first, covering its share of the claim per your plan's benefits. Your secondary insurance then applies to the remaining balance — which may include your copay, coinsurance, or deductible — depending on what your secondary plan covers.
COB does not guarantee that all costs will be covered. What your secondary insurance pays depends on your specific plan's terms.
How is coverage order determined?
The order of primary and secondary coverage follows standard rules set by insurance companies and industry guidelines. Here are the most common scenarios:
Situation | Primary | Secondary |
You have a commercial insurance plan and Medicaid. | Your commercial insurance plan | Medicaid |
You're under 26 and covered by your school or employer's plan, and by your parents’ plan. | School- or employer-sponsored coverage | Your parents’ coverage |
You're under 26 with married parents, and both parents cover you under their separate policies. | The parent whose birthday falls first in the calendar year (the birthday rule) | The parent whose birthday falls second |
You're under 26 with divorced parents, and both parents cover you under their separate policies. | The parent with custody; if joint custody, the birthday rule applies | The parent who doesn’t have custody, if applicable, or the parent whose birthday comes second in a calendar year |
You're under 26, married, and covered by your spouse's and parents' plans. | Spouse's coverage | Your parents’ coverage |
You're married, and you and your partner have employer-sponsored insurance. | Your employer’s coverage | Your spouse's employer's plan |
You're the subscriber on one policy and a dependent on another. | The insurance plan on which you are the subscriber | The plan on which you are the dependent |
Does Grow Therapy accept secondary insurance?
Yes, though not all providers accept secondary insurance. When you contact the billing team to add your secondary insurance, they'll confirm whether your provider accepts both plans and ensure both are compatible before adding the secondary insurance to your account.
⚠️ Important: If your provider does not accept your secondary insurance and you continue seeing them, you'll be responsible for any patient balance remaining after your primary insurance processes your claims.
How to add secondary insurance coverage
After booking an appointment with your primary insurance and activating your account, contact the billing support team to add your secondary insurance. Before reaching out, have your secondary insurance card ready. The billing team will ask for:
A photo or scan of the front of your insurance card
A photo or scan of the back of your insurance card
Once they've verified your plan information, they'll add your secondary insurance to your account.
Resolve a COB issue
If Grow Therapy identifies a COB issue on your account, the billing support team will guide you through contacting your insurance company directly and provide step-by-step instructions. After you've resolved the issue with your insurer, let the billing team know the outcome so they can update your account accordingly.
For detailed steps, see Resolve COB issues.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I add my secondary insurance through the client portal? Secondary insurance requires verification with both insurance plans before it can be billed correctly. This verification process is handled by the billing team, who will confirm that your provider accepts both plans and that the information is accurate before updating your account.
What if my provider doesn't accept my secondary insurance? If your provider doesn't accept your secondary insurance, your primary insurance will still process your claims as usual. You'll be responsible for any remaining patient balance after your primary insurance pays. If you'd like to find a provider who accepts both plans, contact our support team for help.
How long does it take to add secondary insurance? Turnaround time can vary, but the billing team typically processes secondary insurance additions within a few business days of receiving your insurance card information. The team will follow up once your secondary insurance has been added.
What is the birthday rule? The birthday rule is a standard industry guideline that determines which parent's plan is primary when a child is covered under both parents' insurance. The plan belonging to the parent whose birthday (month and day) falls earlier in the calendar year is considered primary — the year of birth is not a factor.
Who should I contact if I have a question about a charge related to my secondary insurance? Contact our billing support team through the Help widget in your client portal. They can review your claims, explain how your insurance plans are being applied, and help resolve any billing questions.