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Many insurance providers have started offering coverage for mental health services. But it can be tricky to find out which online therapy platforms take insurance and how much the copay is. We’ve rounded up some options to consider.
Telehealth allows you to meet with doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals online and from the comfort of your home. Online therapy is an especially popular option, though it could be intimidating to browse all the options available to you and know which ones take insurance.
We share our picks for the best online therapy platforms that take insurance to help get you started.
Online therapy isn’t suitable for emergency situationsIf you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out for help. There’s help available right now:
- Call a trusted friend or family member.
- Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Use the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741 in the United States and Canada.
- Go to the nearest emergency room and speak with a mental health professional.
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At Healthline, we make sure to vet every product or service that we include in our content. Our Brand and Content Integrity team has evaluated each online therapy service to ensure they meet our business and medical standards.
Additionally, our team of medical and mental health professionals from the Healthline Medical Network review all our content for accuracy. When choosing the best online therapy services that take insurance, we considered several crucial factors, including:
- credentials and qualifications of mental health professionals
- the sign-up process
- customer feedback
- payment options and fees
- subscription options and services
- insurance coverage
- financial assistance
We sought platforms with mental health professionals who have a wide range of expertise. We also included some results from our 2022 online therapy survey, which polled users of 12 different services. The top four services to emerge were Talkspace, BetterHelp, Doctor on Demand, and MDLIVE.
At Healthline, we believe that everyone should have access to quality mental health care. That’s why we strive to provide reliable information so you can make an informed decision when choosing an online therapy platform.
We also created a scoring system for our mental health platforms so you can follow our train of thought while rating these options.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the online therapy platforms on this page, we considered all the platforms that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
You can start by looking at the website of the mental health professional you want to use. Most online platforms will have a link you can click to see which insurance companies they work with.
There might even be a form you can use that will check your coverage for you. To see whether you’re covered, you’ll just need to provide your:
- name
- plan name
- policy number
It’s always a good idea to call the office of any therapist you’re considering and verify whether they accept your specific insurance plan for online therapy.
Another option is to start by calling your insurance company. The company can let you know whether you have coverage for online therapy and what copayments or coinsurance costs you’ll have. It can also point you in the direction of therapists who are in the network and the specific therapy platforms they work with.
Here’s a top-level glance at what some of the major insurance companies offer, but you’ll still want to call and confirm what’s covered in your exact plan:
- United Healthcare: United Healthcare covers Talkspace and any other online therapy as long as the therapist is in-network.
- Aetna: Aetna members can receive online therapy through MDLIVE, Teladoc, Talkspace, and other in-network therapists.
- Humana: Humana plans cover online therapy from in-network professionals.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield: Blue Cross Blue Shield plans cover online therapy through Amwell and other services, depending on your specific plan. In-network professionals are also covered.
- Anthem: Anthem members have access to therapy from Anthem’s own telehealth service, LiveHealth Online, and care from in-network professionals.
- Cigna: Cigna covers Talkspace and any other in-network online therapy services.
- Kaiser: Kaiser covers online therapy from in-network professionals.
There are a few options for free or low cost online therapy. Many services offer:
- free trials
- pay-as-you-go services
- discounts
- peer counseling
For free therapy options in your area, you can call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) hotline at 800-950-NAMI (6264) to be connected with a mental health professional. You can also email them at [email protected].
If you’re a veteran, you can contact the Veterans Crisis Line by text, chat, or phone.
Need help finding a therapist?
It’s important to find a therapist you feel comfortable with. That might seem extra challenging when you’re looking at online services. Get some insight from experts on what to consider during your search. See if these can help you out.
Pros
- You can attend an appointment from the comfort of your home or office.
- You don’t need to drive to an appointment or arrange transportation.
- You can often see a therapist in the evenings and on weekends.
- You can often get an appointment very quickly.
Cons
- You need a strong internet connection to access the service.
- Videos can break up or lag, which can be a stressful therapy experience.
- Online therapy can feel less personal, and therapists may miss some nonverbal cues.
- It can be hard to talk in private if you don’t live alone.
Your online therapy sessions will work just like a face-to-face therapy session would. You’ll be connected to your mental health professional in a video chat. You can normally do this online or by using an app on your phone.
You’ll be able to talk with your therapist as soon as the session begins. They’ll ask you questions and help you manage your mental health, just like they would in person. Some services also let you talk with your therapist over the phone without a video call. This can be even more convenient in many cases.
If you’re using a service such as Talkspace or BetterHelp, you can also send messages to your mental health professional throughout the day. You’ll get an answer once or twice a day, Monday through Friday. This can be a great way to manage your mental health on the go.
Remember that if a session doesn’t go well or you’re uncomfortable with your therapist, you can switch anytime. Most platforms allow you to switch therapists by simply scheduling an appointment with a different professional.
Not all online therapy services choose to accept insurance due to the complexities involved. Dealing with insurance companies means handling paperwork, adapting to different payment rates, and meeting diverse licensing requirements across states.
Some platforms prioritize affordability or prefer a more straightforward billing process, opting for a self-pay model. In addition, managing insurance billing could cause payment delays, affecting how smoothly the platform operates.
The exact coverage for online therapy available to you depends on:
- your insurance plan
- the therapist you choose
- the regulations of the state you live in
On average, in-person therapy costs $75 to $150 per session. It can be more expensive depending on the services received and the company providing the service. Insurance may cover some or all these costs, depending on your plan.
It depends on which service you choose. Some online therapy services offer a subscription plan that costs anywhere from $69 to $129 per week before insurance.
Others have a per-appointment cost and can range from $75 to $299, depending on the service. However, you may be able to get these costs completely or partially covered by insurance.
Online therapy platforms provide access to licensed therapists and mental health professionals through digital communication channels like text, audio, or video. These platforms offer a range of therapeutic services for individuals seeking support for various mental health concerns.
Just like private insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid have increased their coverage for online therapy during the pandemic.
Medicare is now covering online therapy for all Medicare members. Medicare Advantage Plans also cover online therapy.
When it comes to Medicaid, your coverage depends on your state. However, there were large expansions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost all states currently allow Medicaid enrollees to access online therapy.
You can call the number on your Medicaid card for more information or contact your state’s Medicaid office.
Online platforms and mental health professionals will generally state whether they accept Medicare or Medicaid. You can contact the online platform or private practice if you’re not sure.
If you’re looking at using a private therapist or practice, someone at the office should be able to help you. A customer service representative can answer your questions if you’re looking at a larger therapy platform.
Selecting an online therapy platform that accepts insurance can be a convenient way to access mental health support while reducing out-of-pocket expenses. Using online platforms also gives you a wider range of therapists from which to choose.
You can start by contacting your insurance company to see whether you have coverage for online therapy. A representative can confirm your coverage and point you in the right direction to get the support you need.