Best Online Therapy That Takes Insurance in 2023: Top 5 Services
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- Written by Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by
Kimberly Langdon, MD
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BetterHelp
- Over 25,000 licensed therapists available
- Messaging, live chat, video chat, or voice call available
- Offers over 25 types of therapy
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Talkspace
- Offers medication management
- Various avenues for therapy communication
- Tiered plans offered at different prices
- Many providers to choose from
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Cerebral
- Offers medication management
- Offers different counseling plans
- Over 50% of their clinicians are people of color
Finding online therapy that takes insurance was almost unheard of a few years ago. With a growing demand since the pandemic, more and more providers are turning to virtual sessions. Therapy without insurance can range in cost depending on your geographical location, the nature of the counseling practice, and the specific type of therapy you’re seeking.
In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, online services are becoming more important in meeting the needs of communities around the globe. We have access to so much technology at our fingertips; it’s not surprising that mental health services have followed suit.
With online therapy services, you have the ability to choose your medical provider and schedule appointments that fit your schedule. Online therapy sessions’ convenience and comfort may help people remain consistent with their care plans.
Best Online Therapy That Takes Insurance in (November. 2023)
- BetterHelp – Editor’s Choice
- Talkspace – Most therapists to choose from
- Cerebral – Best online therapy with the most cultural diversity in their therapists
- MDLive – Best online therapy with the ability to choose your therapist
- Doctor on Demand – Best online therapy with full-spectrum care
Does Therapy Take Insurance?
A few years ago, the only way that your mental health care would be covered by insurance was to go to traditional, in-person therapy. Now health insurance companies are recognizing the validity of online therapy platforms, especially with mental health crisis pressures on the rise. Since the pandemic, psychologists are seeing a significant increase[1] in the prevalence of anxiety and depression.
While traditional therapy sessions are still typically covered by most health insurance providers, many people are choosing to see an online therapist for the obvious convenience. Thankfully, many health insurance companies are covering online therapy, allowing people to prioritize their mental health more efficiently.
If you would like to work with a therapist online, you can check the website of the online therapy company to see if they take your insurance. Of course, the best way to confirm you have insurance coverage is to call your health insurance company and ask if your policy provides coverage for online therapy providers.
5 Best Online Therapy That Takes Insurances 2023
BetterHelp
With over 25 different types of therapy and more than 25,000 licensed mental health therapists, BetterHelp has the ability to help those with depression, anxiety, stress, and more.
- Over 25,000 licensed therapists available
- Messaging, live chat, video chat, or voice call available
- Offers over 25 types of therapy
- You submit your own insurance claim
BetterHelp is considered a global leader among online therapy providers. They are equipped to help their clients navigate mental health issues such as depression, stress, and anxiety. Their therapists even undergo testing before they are hired to evaluate their abilities.
You will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire to help them match you with one of their 25,000 qualified online therapy providers. They offer some of the best online counseling services geared towards the individual, the couple, and the teen. You can explore many different forms of therapy, such as grief therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and anger management therapy.
Unfortunately, you have to submit your own insurance claim. BetterHelp provides you with a receipt of their services that you then bring to your insurance company. It can be a simple process for most insurance companies, but you will want to check with your policy before signing up for counseling sessions.
Talkspace
Starting your online therapy journey with Talkspace is as simple as taking a brief assessment, matching with a licensed therapist, and choosing a plan. Communicate via video chat, messaging, or phone.
- Offers medication management
- Various avenues for therapy communication
- Tiered plans offered at different prices
- Many providers to choose from
- Provider matches can take a few days
- Live video sessions are not available with all plans
Talkspace is among some of the best online therapy platforms that take health insurance. They offer mental health counseling for individuals, couples, and teens and handle medication management within their psychiatry services. After completing a brief assessment, you are matched with one of their qualified mental health professionals who can meet with you by phone, messaging, or video chat.
Talkspace offers a variety of subscription plans that provide different levels of counseling. Some have daily messaging availability, and some have scheduled live therapy sessions. Others offer a combination of the two or unlimited messaging therapy. Nonetheless, you get to choose the plan that fits your needs.
Cerebral
Cerebral offers a team of physicians, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, therapists, and registered dietitians to meet your specific mental health needs. With three membership plans to choose from, your prescriber can piece together a care plan just for you.
- Offers medication management
- Offers three membership plans
- Over 50% of their clinicians are people of color
- Several different healthcare providers
- Some providers have associate-level licensures
- Not available for teen therapy
To begin your journey with Cerebral, they will ask you to complete a short questionnaire to help them better understand your symptoms. Then your prescriber will schedule a video or phone call to determine your treatment plan. Lastly, your care provider will introduce themselves, and you’ll begin treatment soon after that.
Cerebral offers three different membership plans, each with its own structure and each at its own price point. However, only two of their membership plans include mental health care from a licensed therapist, so you will need to choose your plan carefully. Cerebral can also help with medication management and even ship your prescriptions right to your door every month.
Cerebral also conducts clinical studies to help develop new treatments in the field. If you desire to take part in a clinical study, you can participate from the comfort of your own space or at a local clinic.
MDLive
MDLive has licensed therapists and psychiatrists on staff ready to support you in your mental health needs. MDLive therapists and psychiatrists have an average of over ten years of experience.
- Thousands of available licensed therapists
- Therapists have, on average, over ten years of experience
- Offers medication management
- Offers other forms of healthcare
- Email and text communication not offered
- No monthly subscriptions
By completing a few easy steps, you can begin your mental health care with MDLive. Create an account on the platform, choose your therapist or psychiatrist, and make an appointment that fits your schedule. MDLive works with clients seeking support for various reasons, such as trauma, grief, job loss, divorce or separation, new relationships, parenting challenges, LGBTQ+ support, and more.
Should you choose to work with a psychiatrist, they can provide a mental health diagnosis and prescribe medication. Sessions are typically 15-30 minutes long. If you decide to work with a therapist, the sessions are approximately 45-60 minutes long. You are able to talk directly with the therapist and learn new coping skills.
MDLive also provides other forms of healthcare, including primary care, urgent care, and even dermatology. Depending on your needs, you have access to care 24/7.
Doctor on Demand
Doctor on Demand is a full-spectrum healthcare platform. You have access to licensed psychologists and psychiatrists for mental health support, but you can also schedule telehealth services for other healthcare needs.
- Offers other forms of healthcare
- 24/7 coaching support
- Offers medication management
- Psychologists and Psychiatrists have an average of 15 years of experience
- No subscription service is available
- Video chat is the only form of communication
If you’re searching for a comprehensive medical team that can address your mental and physical health all within one company, Doctor on Demand might just be what you need. Doctor on Demand offers some of the best online therapy services alongside their medical care. On their site, you have access to chronic care, urgent care, preventative health, and behavioral health services.
With Doctor on Demand, you have access to the biographies of available therapists in your state so you can confidently choose your provider. Once you’ve chosen a therapist online, you can meet with them via video sessions. If you need medication, your psychiatrist can prescribe most medications at their discretion.
What Types of Online Therapy Accept Insurance?
According to the American Psychological Association, 93% of surveyed psychologists[2] agreed that they intend to continue with telehealth services after the pandemic due to its success. Due to the growing demand for online therapy, many healthcare companies have developed working relationships with insurance agencies.
In general, you can find several online therapy types covered by insurance. Therapy for concerns such as substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, grief, and more often meet the criteria needed for insurance coverage.
You may wonder, will your insurance cover online therapy? Many online therapy platforms, such as Talkspace, Teledoc, Doctor on Demand, LiveHealth Online, and Amwell, take insurance. Of course, you’ll want to confirm that your insurance provider covers online therapy before scheduling an appointment.
Why Is Online Therapy Beneficial?
Online access to mental health care can offer many benefits. Telehealth therapy sessions can make it easier to overcome the negative stigma that has commonly been linked to mental health issues. Plus, research[3] has shown that online therapy sites can provide the same mental health benefits as regular, face-to-face therapy. The success of an online therapy session involves many factors, including
Accessibility
Online therapy is highly accessible. While many people have had difficulty finding traditional therapy sources, online services are readily available. Perhaps you live far from a therapist that your insurance company covers or have a physical ailment that makes it difficult to travel. Technology now allows you to meet with your therapist, despite the distance.
Convenience
If you lead a busy life, an online therapy session can be more convenient than an in-person therapy appointment. Online sessions allow you to schedule your therapy on your time, and eliminating travel needs can be a true time saver.
Affordability
In the past, it was normal or common for people in need to avoid mental health care due to its cost. Online therapy does not have the overhead cost that typical brick-and-mortar practices have for things like rent and property insurance. And now that many online therapy companies accept insurance, accessible therapy is more affordable now than ever.
Added Comfort
Therapy requires great vulnerability, which can be intimidating, especially if your session is in an unfamiliar place. Online therapy gives you the freedom to log into your session wherever you feel most comfortable. You can log into your appointment with your online therapist from your couch, the coffee shop, or your office.
Tips Before Purchasing an Online Therapy Subscription
It’s crucial to be informed before choosing an online therapy service. Here are a few tips before purchasing an online therapy subscription.
- Consider if online therapy suits your needs. If you feel you respond better to in-person therapy, you may not like telehealth services.
- Makes sure your online therapist is licensed. Licensing protects you and helps to make sure you’re receiving evidence-based care. You may also want to check that the therapist you are matched with is licensed in your state of residence.
- Confirm that the site or app is secure, meaning your medical information will remain confidential.
- It’s important to make sure your online therapy provider accepts your insurance. Double-check that online medical services are covered by your insurance company. You may also want to check that your insurance coverage includes your chosen online therapy provider.
- Consider a platform that addresses your everyday health as well. Many companies that offer online therapy also provide other healthcare services as well.
Final Thought
Finding the best online mental health services for your individual needs is easier now than ever. You’re not alone in your search for mental health services, especially with the far-reaching effects of recent years. Insurance providers see the importance of accessible care and have thus developed relationships with several online therapy platform partners. There a several options for virtual therapy that takes insurance.
Scheduling a therapy session may have been daunting in the past. Now, you can schedule your appointment on your own time and work with licensed mental health professionals from the comfort of your couch, bed, or office. Online therapy, covered by insurance, can be an important part of your overall healthcare. If your insurance covers online therapy, it’s worth exploring your options.
This article does not take the place of professional medical advice. If you have questions about your mental health, it is best to talk with your doctor to ensure you find the right licensed therapist for your needs. It is also important to ensure the online therapy platform has medication management services if your care requires prescriptions.
Lastly, be sure to confirm with your insurance company that your policy will cover online therapy.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, you are encouraged to call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (once referred to as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) by dialing 988.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can start by checking the website of the therapy company you want to work with. Most online therapy companies have a link that shows all the insurances they accept. Or, if you don’t have a company in mind yet, you can call your insurance agency and ask what companies are covered under your plan.
Many insurance policies will cover up to 100% of the cost of online therapy. Occasionally, out-of-pocket costs might be cheaper than your insurance co-pay, so it’s worth researching.
If your health insurance policy does not cover online therapy, you can choose to pay out-of-pocket or search for a low-cost or free online therapy service. You can also explore free traditional therapy options in your area by calling the National Alliance on Mental Illness[4]. If you are a military veteran, you are encouraged to contact the Veteran’s Crisis Line[5] anytime.
Different policies will offer different coverages, but in general, online therapy services include but are not limited to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, anger management therapy, trauma therapy, and couples therapy.
Different therapy companies will feature different costs. If your insurance company does not cover online therapy, paying out-of-pocket for a subscription can range from $40 to $90 per week.
+ 5 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- in (2020). Psychologists Report Large Increase In Demand For Anxiety, Depression Treatment. [online] https://www.apa.org. Available at: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/11/anxiety-depression-treatment
- Apa.org. (2022). [online] Available at: https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/practitioner/covid-19-2021
- Wagner, B., Horn, A.B. and Maercker, A. (2014). Internet-based versus face-to-face cognitive-behavioral intervention for depression: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, [online] 152-154, pp.113–121. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.06.032.
- Nami.org. (2022). Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. [online] Available at: https://www.nami.org/Home
- Veteranscrisisline.net. (2022). Veterans Crisis Line. [online] Available at: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Written by:
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
