Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy?

Some health insurance plans cover online therapy, but it depends on three things: your plan, the state you live in and the service you choose. A few online therapy services are in-network with some plans. Others do not take insurance at all, though you may still be able to use out-of-network benefits or other funds.

The safest approach is to check with both the provider and your insurer before your first session. This guide explains how coverage works and what to ask.

The short answer by service

Here is how the services we review generally handle insurance. Networks and policies change, so treat this as a starting point and confirm the details yourself.

If using insurance is important to you, our comparison of BetterHelp and Talkspace and our comparison of Talkspace and Cerebral go into more detail.

In-network vs out-of-network

These two terms decide most of what you will pay.

In-network means the service has an agreement with your insurer. You usually pay a copay or coinsurance, and the service bills your insurer directly. You may need to meet your deductible first.

Out-of-network means there is no agreement. You pay the service directly, then you may be able to submit a claim to your insurer for partial reimbursement, if your plan includes out-of-network mental-health benefits. Many plans, particularly HMO-style plans, cover little or nothing out-of-network.

Either way, the amount you pay depends on your plan's terms, not just the service's list price.

Questions to ask your insurer

Call the member services line on your insurance card, or check your insurer's member portal. Ask:

1. Does my plan cover outpatient mental-health services delivered by telehealth?
2. Is a specific service, such as Talkspace or Cerebral, in-network for my plan?
3. What is my copay or coinsurance for an in-network therapy session?
4. Do I need to meet my deductible first, and how much of it is left?
5. Does my plan include out-of-network mental-health benefits?
6. If so, what documentation do I need to submit a claim?
7. Do I need a referral or prior authorization?
8. Is there a limit on the number of sessions covered?

Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke to and any reference number. If something is unclear later, that record helps.

How out-of-network reimbursement works

If you choose a service that does not accept insurance, reimbursement is sometimes possible, but it takes effort.

• Confirm your benefits first. Ask whether out-of-network outpatient mental-health care by telehealth is covered.
• Ask the service for documentation. Insurers usually want an itemized statement, sometimes called a superbill, showing the provider's details, dates of service and billing codes. Not every subscription service provides this, so ask before you pay.
• Understand subscription billing. Insurers reimburse for services, usually sessions. A subscription that bundles messaging and live sessions may not map neatly onto what your insurer covers. Messaging-only time may not be reimbursable.
• Submit and keep copies. File the claim through your insurer's portal or by mail and keep copies of everything.

Reimbursement is not guaranteed even when you follow every step. Treat it as a possible bonus rather than something to count on.

Other ways to pay

If insurance does not help, there are other options worth checking:

• Employee assistance programs (EAPs). Many employers offer a set of free counseling sessions through an EAP. Ask your HR team, and check whether any online services are included.
• Employer or plan partnerships. Some online services work directly with employers or health plans. Talkspace is one example.
• HSA or FSA funds. Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts can often be used for therapy. Check your account rules.
• Financial aid. Some services say financial aid may be available. BetterHelp, for example, mentions it; check eligibility on the site.
• Community and sliding-scale options. Local clinics, training clinics and some private practices offer reduced fees based on income.

We do not list prices on this site because plans change often. Check the current price on each provider's site and make sure you understand how often you will be billed.

Medication and psychiatry coverage

Psychiatry and medication management are sometimes covered differently from therapy. If you are considering a service that offers both, such as Talkspace or Cerebral, ask your insurer about each separately. Prescription costs are also a separate question from appointment costs. A licensed prescriber decides whether medication is appropriate; no service can promise a prescription.

Couples and teen therapy

Insurers often treat couples counseling differently from individual therapy, and some plans do not cover it at all. If you are considering ReGain or couples therapy elsewhere, ask specifically about couples or family therapy.

For teens, the policyholder is usually a parent or guardian. Ask about coverage for dependents, and check how the service handles consent. Teen Counseling, for example, requires parent or guardian consent.

A quick checklist

Before you sign up for any service, make sure you can answer:

• Is this service in-network for my plan, and in my state?
• What will I pay per session or per billing cycle?
• If out-of-network, will the service give me the documentation my insurer needs?
• How do I cancel, and when does the next billing date fall?

A reminder about emergencies

Insurance questions should never stand between you and urgent help. Online therapy is not for emergencies. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or go to the nearest emergency room.

To compare services side by side, see our ranking of the best online therapy services, and read How We Rank to see how we score cost and insurance transparency.