Insurance For Online Therapy: Support Mental Health With Therapy Sessions
If you are exploring the possibility of beginning therapy, you may have found yourself wondering about the cost of therapy and whether insurance plans cover this type of mental health service. In this article, we aim to provide information that may be useful for navigating insurance as it relates to therapy, online therapy, and other forms of mental health care.
Therapy and insurance: Exploring different forms of coverage
To better understand how insurance may be able to help you pay for therapy, we'll first explore the types of medical insurance available and what they cover. In the United States, individuals seeking medical coverage often have few options available to them. These might include:
Employer-sponsored health insurance
Employers in the United States often sponsor health insurance coverage for eligible full-time employees and their spouses, children, and other dependents. Employer-sponsored health plans are those purchased by an employer on behalf of employees. Employers may also offer other forms of coverage, such as health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), or other health and wellness benefits.
Individual plans to find a therapist
For those individuals whose employers do not offer health coverage, who are self-employed, or who would prefer to find health insurance coverage on their own, other options are available. Health insurance marketplace plans are one such alternative. These plans are available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and can be purchased via the individual’s state health exchange, which may be accessed through HealthCare.gov. Individuals can also explore the possibility of buying coverage directly from their chosen insurance company. With some health insurance plans, individuals may also be able to find a therapist that suits their needs, whether through in-network providers or covered telehealth services.
Medicaid and Medicare plans for therapy sessions
Those with incomes that fall below a certain threshold or who are 65 years old or older may qualify for medical benefits via Medicaid or Medicare, respectively. These programs may offer insurance coverage for therapy sessions, depending on eligibility and specific plan details. State Medicaid agencies and the United States Social Security Administration can provide further information about qualifications and coverage, as well as details on how to apply for and enroll in a plan. The Children’s Health Insurance Program may also be an option for obtaining coverage for children.
Does insurance for online therapy cover mental health care and therapy sessions?
Whether a health insurance plan covers mental health care, including online therapy, may depend on a variety of factors. In some cases, insurance coverage may also include online therapy sessions, but the level of coverage varies depending on the plan and provider. For those insured members enrolled in plans through their state’s health insurance marketplace, insurance providers are required to cover mental health services. The extent of this coverage may vary, though, and it may not always include support for treatments involving controlled substances
Employer-sponsored insurance and mental health coverage
An employer-sponsored insurance provider may also cover outpatient mental health services, prescription medication, and counseling. Certain employers might also offer employee assistance programs (EAPs), which are separate from insurance benefits and can provide additional support for insured members seeking mental health resources.
Mental health support in employee assistance programs
EAPs may provide access to short-term counseling, health coaching, or other mental health resources for employees and their family members.
Using HSAs for mental health care
Those enrolled in high-deductible health insurance plans may also be able to use health savings accounts (HSAs) to help cover mental health care, including therapy. While using an HSA does mean paying for therapy with one's own money, these funds are not taxed like the rest of a person's income, which saves money. However, an HSA may not cover therapy if it’s not considered necessary for a medical or mental health purpose or if it falls outside the scope of eligible insurance coverage.
Understanding your mental health coverage to find a therapist
Affordability and accessibility of therapy
Traditional, in-person therapy may not always be easily accessible. Costs associated with this type of therapy can be priced as high as $200 or more per session. Varying levels of insurance coverage, provider networks, copays, and deductibles may complicate things further. These barriers can make it challenging to receive therapy in an in-person setting, especially for insured members managing long-term care like medication management or specialized needs such as couples therapy.
Is online therapy more affordable?
For this reason, some individuals may opt for counseling via an online therapy platform, like BetterHelp, instead. Online therapy platforms may offer a more affordable alternative to traditional therapy. In some cases, the full cost of online therapy is equivalent to an insurance co-pay for traditional therapy while still offering support like a personalized treatment plan or service for unique needs related to gender identity.
Does online therapy require insurance?
Insurance is not typically required in order to start online therapy.
Payment options and insurance for online therapy
Moreover, health insurance plans and insurance coverage may not always cover online therapy. Still, it could be worth considering the reduced costs associated with online therapy and other services, such as medication management and a personalized treatment plan. Online therapy also gives a person the ability to speak to a mental health professional or therapist immediately (often within 48 hours or less) from the comfort of home, which can be especially helpful for insured members seeking consistent care. A person with an HSA may be able to apply those funds to online therapy. Consider contacting your account administrator to confirm. Some platforms also offer flexible payment options, including monthly subscriptions and sliding scale fees, which may apply to both individual and couples therapy.
Effectiveness of online therapy
A variety of studies have found online therapy to be an effective and cost-efficient alternative to in-person therapy.
Mental health conditions treated with online CBT
For example, one study determined that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a useful mental health treatment, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder.
Takeaway
Online therapy could provide an effective and affordable alternative to in-person therapy, one that does not typically require insurance. Although insurance plans may not cover online therapy, this type of therapy may be HSA-eligible and cost less than traditional therapy. Some platforms also offer services like couples therapy and can support care plans that do not prescribe medication or involve controlled substances.If you have questions about your health insurance coverage, consider contacting your insurance company or plan administrator to learn more. If you are interested in exploring online therapy, get matched with a licensed therapist via BetterHelp to start.
Are there any online therapists that take insurance?
Yes, many of the best online therapy companies now accept insurance as a form of payment, so you can attend a virtual therapy session with professional and licensed therapists. You can check online for different platforms that partner with most major insurance plans, and this will allow insured members to have the treatment and be able to receive the best quality care session with an affordable average copay. It is important to check insurance coverage through your agreement plan or directly with your health insurance provider. You need to provide your insurance card to know whether the online therapy services that they can cover are in-network or not. You may also contact the insurance benefits department for further details.
Does insurance cover teletherapy?
Yes, many major insurance plans provide insurance coverage for virtual therapy or online psychotherapy. The insurance company will cover therapy if you have chosen an online therapy platform that is in-network. The same goes for licensed therapists, as long as they are in-network. You may also need to pay an average copay per therapy session. You must call your insurance provider (usually at the number on the back of your insurance card) to confirm and ask for specific insurance details to avoid problems with your licensed therapists and the online therapy platform you have chosen.
Does BetterHelp accept insurance?
BetterHelp is a known online therapy platform; however, this online therapy platform doesn’t accept insurance or partner with any insurance provider or company. BetterHelp offers different therapy services to treat mental health conditions, and individuals must pay out of their pocket for the therapy services, typically with a therapy session plan. Remember that many insurance plans or major insurers and companies do not cover their online therapy cost. You may check other online therapy options or go through your insurance provider’s website to find therapy platforms or in-network providers that accept insurance.
How do you find a therapist my insurance will cover?
You can check the website of your insurance company and look for in-network therapy services. This is one of the simplest ways to find a therapist your insurance provider will cover. You can also learn more about your insurance details, including the different insurance plans accepted and whether they accept insurance for mental health treatment, such as family therapy, talk therapy, individual therapy, and average copay. You can also contact major insurers or dial and ask the insurance provider if they take insurance for psychiatry services or mental health concerns. In this way, you can guarantee that your therapy session will be covered and reduce the risk of being out of network.
How much is a therapist if you have insurance?
If you have insurance coverage, therapy session costs usually depend on your insurance company and insurance details. Most in-network providers cover therapy, and a person typically pays an average copay ranging from $15 to $45 per therapy session. Some health plans may include a range of services, including individual therapy, talk therapy, or even psychiatry services like medication management, depending on your treatment plan and whether the providers accept insurance. Always check with your insurance company to confirm the services, what's covered, and whether that provider is out of network or not.
Does Cigna cover BetterHelp?
BetterHelp is an online therapy company that does not take insurance, including Cigna, to cover therapy and other services, such as medication management and psychiatry services. While it offers support for mental health issues and can help treat mental health conditions, all services are paid out of pocket and are considered out-of-network for most health plans. If you're looking for an in-network provider with insurance coverage for your future therapy, explore and check other platforms partnered directly with Cigna or other major plans available in your area.
Do you pay for online therapy?
You usually have to pay for online therapy, either out of pocket or through insurance coverage or health plans. People who have health plans that are in-network with an online therapy company, you may owe an average copay per weekly therapy session or individual therapy. Some mental health services, like medication management or psychiatry appointments, may cost more, especially if the provider is out of network. Be sure to check your insurance details to see if it will cover therapy or other services.
How to get therapy when insurance doesn't cover it?
Suppose your insurance company or insurance coverage doesn’t cover therapy, medication management, and follow-up sessions. You can look for an online therapy company that offers low-cost therapy types with sliding-scale fees, such as BetterHelp. Some community membership programs or local clinics may also provide affordable individual adult therapy, in-person care, or video sessions without needing to be in-network. You can ask for discounts when having follow-up sessions or trying their flexible treatment plan. Specific nonprofit organizations in your area may offer support for issues like alcohol use disorder or access to psychiatry services if needed.
Can I consult a psychiatrist for free?
You can consult a psychiatrist for free through some community programs, especially if you are an insured member with full insurance coverage or eligible for government-supported company services. Some clinics offer a free initial evaluation, and certain major plans may fully cover therapy and video sessions, including support for medication management or conditions like alcohol use disorder. Always check your insurance details to see if the psychiatrist is in-network and can prescribe medication at no cost.
Can I get a mental health diagnosis online?
You can get a mental health diagnosis online by working with licensed professionals who may also help create a treatment plan for you, and even couples therapy. Some platforms offer medication management and prescribe medication, including for conditions like alcohol use disorder, depending on the provider's qualifications and your insurance coverage. Be sure to review the insurance details to understand what services and treatments are included for insured members and whether you can seek guidance and speak with a therapist immediately.
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