Because you can benefit from treatment sessions without leaving your house, online therapy is more convenient than traditional therapy. Online therapy can be substantially less expensive than conventional treatment and more accessible, exceptionally if you choose one of these free online therapy providers that accept insurance.
Although the top online counseling services are less expensive than in-person treatment, it is worthwhile to find out if your health insurance covers the cost. Some of these free online therapy programs will accept insurance, but for others, you’ll need to apply for partial insurance reimbursement, assuming your insurance will pay for it.
How to Find Free Online Therapy That Accepts Insurance
Many insurance providers have recently started paying for alternative therapies, such as telehealth and online counseling, making it easier for consumers to access this effective method of resolving mental and emotional health problems.
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Although some websites collaborate more closely with insurance providers than others, it is ultimately up to the insurance provider to determine whether or not their online therapy is reimbursed by insurance. If an online counseling service doesn’t accept insurance, you can request that your insurance company reimburse you, in whole or in part. This list includes free online treatment providers who accept insurance or who let you submit a claim for reimbursement from your insurance carrier.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Online Therapy.
No matter where you decide to complete your treatment sessions, the main objective is to look after your mental health. Some people could find comfort in a setting exclusively for the patient and therapist, while others would yearn for the coziness of their own homes.
A 2017 study indicated that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy was just as effective (and more economical) for managing numerous psychiatric diseases, so you can’t go wrong either way. Other things to think about are:
Pros:
- A wide range of therapists is available for your independent requirements.
- Numerous communication channels, including text, phone, and video.
- Medication management without routinely visiting a workplace
Cons:
- On some platforms, different communication channels are not available.
- Online tests may assign you to a therapist rather than letting you decide.
- Not all retailers have available pricing policies.
Best Online Therapy that Takes Insurance
Which of our top 10 options that accept insurance is the best for online therapy? Not sure which online therapy provider will meet your needs the best? Here is a list of the top 10 online therapists who buy insurance.
- Cerebral – Best for affordable monthly pricing
- BetterHelp – The best selection of licensed counselors
- TalkSpace – Best unlimited messaging and flexible payment plans
- ReGain – Best online therapy for couples
- Amwell – Best for ease of access
- MDLive – Best Customer Reviews
- Doctor on Demand – Best for 24/7 Availability
- Faithful Counseling – Best for devoted Christian counselors
- Teen Counseling – Best online therapy for teens
- Online-Therapy.com – Best online cognitive behavioral therapy
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Best Online Therapy Services That Take Insurance:
#1. Cerebral
Is insurance accepted as a form of payment? Yes
Affordable internet treatment, mental health services, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication management are all available from Cerebral. The website or the app offers talk therapy, which treats various mental health conditions, including depression, ADHD, anxiety, and other illnesses.
Cerebral, an online therapy company, accepts insurance. You may get inexpensive and convenient therapy from one of Cerebral’s more than 800 qualified therapists because it has an in-network insurance plan with numerous providers, including Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, and more.
Price and Payment Choices
There are numerous plans from $85 to $325 per month offered by Cerebral:
- The Medication and Care Counseling Plan, which costs $85 per month, includes video or phone sessions with counselors in addition to evaluation, diagnosis, and prescriptions from medical professionals as needed.
- The $259 monthly Therapy Plan includes weekly discussions over the phone or video (and texting). You won’t be able to access medications that are delivered to you or meet with a prescribing professional.
- The Medication and Therapy Plan, which packages the benefits of the other plans, including an evaluation and diagnosis, is $325 per month. In this strategy, a licensed therapist takes the position of a counselor to monitor your medication regimens and consult with your doctor.
Pros:
- Online counseling and drug delivery
- Collaborative care model for the best possible all-around care
- Economical treatment.
Cons:
- Not all states offer all types of insurance.
- A narrow range of illnesses are treated
#2. BetterHelp
Acceptance of insurance as a form of payment: No. However, you can request to have your insurance company compensate you.
One of the top online counseling services in the business is BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers solo, couple, and teen counseling sessions via SMS, chat, phone, and video with more than 30,000 qualified therapists.
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In just 24 hours after joining up, they will pair you with a therapist and offer a variety of treatments for issues like depression, anxiety, addictions, and anger management. BetterHelp doesn’t accept insurance as a payment method, but they provide therapy at reasonable pricing, and you can ask your insurance provider for partial reimbursement.
Price and Payment Choices
Based on the issues you’re facing, BetterHelp will customize your treatment strategy. The weekly rate is between $60 and $90, and you’ll be charged once a month via credit card or PayPal. As a result, your monthly fee will be between $240 and $320.
Pros:
- Scientifically validated outcomes
- Individualized service
- Unrestricted one-on-one interaction.
Cons:
- Not all therapists are suitable for clients with special needs.
#3. Talkspace
Acceptance of insurance as a form of payment: Yes
Millions of users give Talkspace, another online counseling service, high ratings. The website provides continuing assistance for problems including addiction, despair, and anxiety.
Talkspace fosters a welcoming atmosphere where people can be themselves and ask questions, express grievances, and voice anxieties they might not otherwise be able to. Additionally, Talkspace, a website that offers online treatment supported by insurance, has teamed up with several insurance companies, including Alliant, Cigna, and more.
Price and Payment Choices
TalkSpace offers three plans. Prices for those without health insurance can range from $260 to $400 per month, depending on where you live.
- While text and video therapy are included under the Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus Plan, live sessions are not included.
- The Unlimited Messaging Therapy Premium Plan provides one 30-minute live session monthly in addition to text, video, and audio messaging.
- The Unlimited Messaging Therapy Ultimate package offers four 30-minute live monthly sessions in addition to text, video, and audio communications.
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In addition to messaging therapy, they also provide psychiatric services, starting at $249 for an initial evaluation and $125 for each subsequent visit. Even though survey participants said they spent an average of $150 per month without insurance coverage, the company predicts that up to 100% of your monthly expenses might be covered if you have insurance.
Pros:
- Choose your therapist and change them at no additional cost.
- Flexible, budget-friendly payment options
- Endless texting as therapy
Cons:
- Not every therapist will be a good fit for you.
- No free trial offer
#4. ReGain
Acceptance of insurance as a form of payment: No. However, you can request to have your insurance company compensate you.
ReGain is an online counseling service that specializes in assisting individuals in establishing and reestablishing loving, respectful, and healthy relationships. Furthermore, ReGain is perfect for guiding individuals and couples toward healthy solutions to relationship problems and obstacles.
ReGain offers a helpful platform where couples may get the support they need to effectively navigate the storms of relationship troubles through an open and discreet forum. ReGain does not accept insurance, but they will give you a thorough receipt for their services so you can ask your insurance company for a portion of the cost to be covered.
Price and Payment Choices
ReGain charges between $60 and $90 weekly for therapy (billed monthly through credit card or PayPal). The price depends on your preferences, where you live, and whether their therapists are available. ReGain requires an upfront payment for membership, which you can cancel at any moment.
Pros:
- Quick and easy signup process
- Very affordable prices
- Desktop and mobile platforms that are easy to use
Cons:
- Lack of personalization offered by in-person counseling
- Requiring a working internet connection
#5. Amwell
Acceptance of insurance as a form of payment: Yes
One of the most recognized online counseling centers that accept insurance is Amwell. Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medica, UnitedHealthcare, and WebTPA are just a few of the over 50 carriers Amwell works with to make online therapy accessible and inexpensive to many people in the nation.
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More than 350 licensed social therapists and psychologists practice in Amwell. An average therapy session lasts for 45 minutes. To prevent the virtual therapist from seeing your face during the sessions, Amwell has a tool that lets you switch off your camera.
Price and Payment Choices
Amwell doesn’t provide subscription plans or bundles of services. The cost of each session is determined at the time of scheduling and is based on your therapist’s level of experience and insurance coverage. Depending on where you reside, individual sessions with qualified therapists cost between $109 and $129 per visit. Appointments with psychiatrists cost $279 for the initial consultation and then $109 for each subsequent visit.
Pros:
- ATA’s seal of approval
- Visits anytime/anyplace
- Streaming of high-quality video
Cons:
- Fewer available payment methods
- No discounts are available
- Required advance payment
#6. MDLive
Acceptance of insurance as a form of payment: Yes
Through its website and app, MDLive offers online counseling that accepts insurance to almost 40 million users in its network. Compared to traditional in-person treatment, the search for a therapist is quicker, and you can typically schedule an appointment the same day you sign up. You can get support from MDLive therapists for a wide range of mental health problems, such as addictions, depression, eating disorders, grieving, support for LGBTQ people, trauma, stress, and more.
Medicare, employer-sponsored insurance plans, private insurance policies that pay for virtual doctor visits, and Medicare are all accepted by MDLive. To protect the confidentiality and security of its patients, MDLive complies with HIPAA regulations and upholds a rigid code of ethics.
Price and Payment Choices
Each 45 to 60-minute therapy session with MDLive costs $108 without insurance. A 30-minute initial meeting with a psychiatrist would cost $284, and each subsequent 15-minute follow-up appointment would cost $108.
Pros:
- Convenient phone and video calls
- Choose the therapist you want.
- 24/7 accessibility
Cons:
- No longer accepting emergency care
- Initial therapeutic costs are prohibitive
#7. Doctor on Demand
Acceptance of insurance as a form of payment: Yes
Patients have given the team of therapists and psychiatrists on Doctor on Demand a 4.9 out of 5 rating. The first step in signing up is to complete a questionnaire, after which Doctor on Demand will pair you with a therapist who specializes in your area of need.
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You can also look through the network to find a therapist quickly based on their experience and credentials. You won’t need to find a different prescriber because Doctor on Demand psychiatrists may also write prescriptions for medication during the therapy session, which is fantastic customer service. United Healthcare, Cigna, Humana, and Aetna are just a few insurance providers that Doctor on Demand accepts.
Price and Payment Choices
Talk therapy sessions on Doctor on Demand cost $129 for a 25-minute session and $179 for a 50-minute session because no monthly membership plans are available. Your initial 45-minute psychiatry appointment will cost $299; subsequent meetings will only cost $129 each (for 15 minutes).
Pros:
- Available always
- Both with and without insurance.
- Pick your physician or therapy.
Cons:
- Doesn’t currently take medicare
- The price of mental health is higher than competitors.
- There are no subscription packages offered.
#8. Faithful Counseling
Acceptance of insurance as a form of payment: No. However, you can request to have your insurance company compensate you.
Faithful Counseling specializes in serving Christians who require therapy and aims to give them a complete approach that other agencies might not be able to. Therapists at Faithful Counseling are experts with specialized education and experience in helping Christians deal with problems including anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, and more.
Although they don’t accept insurance as payment, you can ask your insurance company for partial reimbursement.
Price and Payment Choices
The cost of therapy through Faithful Counseling will vary depending on where you live, what you desire, and the therapists’ schedules. You have the option to cancel your membership at any moment for any reason, and the cost is somewhere between $60 and $90 per week (paid monthly).
Pros:
- Christian-based spiritual guidance
- A good selection of communication channels
Cons:
- Not a free trial
- No client service by phone
#9. Teen Counseling
Acceptance of insurance as a form of payment: No. However, you can request to have your insurance company compensate you.
Online counseling is frequently more suited to the needs of teenagers than those of adults. The specialists at Teen Counseling are skilled at offering adolescents the best treatment for their particular problems. Additionally, parents can sign up for counseling to support their kids.
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Through their app, Teen Counseling offers online treatment. They also provide text therapy, video chat therapy, and over-the-phone treatment, giving adolescents who need aid convenience and privacy. Although insurance is not accepted as payment for services provided by Teen Counseling, your insurance provider may partially reimburse you.
Price and Payment Choices
Prices for treatment sessions with Teen Counseling vary depending on location and individual preferences and range from $60 to $90 per week (paid monthly). You can cancel your subscription at any time and for any reason.
Pros:
- Sessions between the counselor and the teen are private.
- No recurring fees, and limitless therapy.
- Use this specific app with any mobile device.
Cons:
- Counselors may not respond right away, depending on the time of day.
#10. Online-Therapy.com
Acceptance of insurance as a form of payment: No. However, you can request to have your insurance company compensate you.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is used by Online-Therapy.com to empower and inspire people to lead better, more fruitful lives. Online-Therapy.com was created to assist people in first recognizing difficult and dysfunctional beliefs, behaviors, habits, and emotions.
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Patients then resolve even the oldest problems with the assistance of qualified professionals. If your insurance plan covers online therapy, you can ask for a partial reimbursement or direct payment for sessions with online-Therapy.com.
Price and Payment Choices
In addition to giving you access to the therapy program, which includes daily contact with your therapist available Monday through Friday, subscription plans at Online-Therapy.com start at just $40 per week (after a 20% discount is applied on the website). These plans also give you access to several tools on the website that will assist you in overcoming your daily struggles. The Basic Plan, Standard Plan, and Premium Plan are the three options available.
Pros:
- Forms to complete with your therapist
- Classes in meditation and yoga
- Just licensed therapists.
Cons:
- Therapists only work during the week.
- No medicine can be prescribed by therapists.
How much is Talkspace out of pocket?
How much does using Talkspace cost? Talkspace subscriptions cost between $276 and $516 per month without insurance. Users who prepaid for a quarterly or biannual plan can save a lot of money. For instance, the basic Unlimited Messaging Therapy package has a monthly cost of $276.
Is Talkspace legitimate?
Professionals at Talkspace are qualified and licensed psychiatrists and therapists who provide solo and couples therapy services. Before employing, the business confirms the specialists’ credentials and runs background checks.
Is BetterHelp affordable?
Given the variety of ways to contact your therapist, Powell remarked that BetterHelp is one of the more economical options for online counseling she has encountered. Depending on how many live sessions you plan, prices range from $60 to $90 per week. You’ll be charged each month.
Do you have to pay upfront for BetterHelp?
BetterHelp charges $60 to $90 per session for counseling (weekly). The business will charge you ahead for the first four weeks, so you may anticipate paying between $240 and $360. You will then be charged every four weeks after that. With a credit card or PayPal, you can set up recurring payments.
What’s the difference between Talkspace and BetterHelp?
If you want to conduct live sessions on Talkspace, you must pay more, and your expenses increase if you wish to access to live therapy sessions and texting. But the base charge for Betterhelp covers all of these choices. Talkspace does, however, provide a greater variety of alternatives.
Conclusion
Several online therapists accept insurance. You can obtain therapy online by using your insurance. There are now more choices for online treatment than ever, thanks to the increase in telehealth utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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To find out if you have coverage for online therapy, start by contacting your insurance provider. They can vouch for your coverage and steer you toward the assistance you require.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does online therapy cost on average?
Online counseling costs differ, just like they do for in-person therapy. While BetterHelp charges between $60 and $90 per week, Talkspace charges as little as $65 per week.
Is Talkspace or BetterHelp cheaper?
However, when you compare the plans that are the closest together, BetterHelp’s weekly cost of $80 is much less than Talkspace’s weekly cost of $129 (keep in mind that BetterHelp’s sessions are between 30 and 45 minutes long whereas Talkspace’s are exactly 45 minutes long).
Who pays more BetterHelp or Talkspace?
Better Help is said to pay about $30 per hour, and TalkSpace is said to pay about $20. That works out to a 75% pay drop when compared to the typical hourly rate of a therapist operating their own business, which is roughly $100.
Is virtual therapy cheaper than in-person?
Cost: There is no financial advantage to either format because there is often little difference in rates between in-person and online counseling. A typical session of traditional in-person counseling costs $100. Accessibility: For some people, getting to and from treatment appointments can be very difficult.
