Though many online therapy platforms are available, only some of them accept insurance. From the 35-plus we tested, these 6 are our picks of the best online therapy services that take insurance.

These days, therapy has become standardized to some extent. The only thing that hasn’t changed much is the cost. Though cheaper than in-person therapy, online therapy sessions can still be upward of $200 a month, especially if the platform is subscription-based.
Here’s where insurance comes in. If you didn’t know, insurance can cover online therapy — you just need to know where to look.
We researched some online therapy services that take insurance and chose the top six that have a good range of insurance coverage, have good services and reviews, and may be able to help a wide range of people.
Take a look at our options and see whether they can help meet your needs.
Healthline score | Estimated copay* | Payment model | Insurance coverage | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Talkspace | 4.4/5 | ranges from $0 to $30 | subscription-based | can search if you’re covered before creating account |
Grow Therapy | 4.3/5 | ranges from $0 to $50 | pay-by-session | can search by insurance provider |
Brightside | 3.8/5 | varies based on insurance provider | subscription-based | need to create account to check coverage |
MDLIVE | 4.7/5 | can be as low as $0 | pay-by-session | need to create account to check coverage |
Doctor on Demand | 3.6/5 | ranges from $0 to $134 | pay-by-session | can search if you’re covered before creating account |
Thriveworks | 4.2/5 | ranges from $0 to $50 | pay-by-session | can search if you’re covered before creating account |
*All insurance copays vary by insurance plan.
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. We considered several crucial factors when choosing the best online therapy services that take insurance. We also created a scoring system for our mental health platforms so you can follow our train of thought while rating these options.
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.
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. Others require you to create an account to check your insurance coverage.
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 the coverage in your exact plan:
- United Healthcare: United Healthcare covers Talkspace and any other online therapy if the therapist is in-network.
- Aetna: Aetna members can receive online therapy through MDLIVE, 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 therapy for some online 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 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
- sliding-scale payment options
- 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 connect with a mental health professional. You can also email them at info@nami.org.
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 choose 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 to find a therapist.
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. Depending on your plan, insurance may cover some of or all these costs.
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 considering using a private therapist or practice, someone at the office should be able to help you. If you’re considering a larger therapy platform, a customer service representative can answer your questions.
No, BetterHelp does not accept any insurance.
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.