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.
A quick look at online therapy services that take insurance
- Best overall: Talkspace | Skip to review
- Best for in-person and online therapy: Grow Therapy | Skip to review
- Best for crisis care: Brightside Health | Skip to review
- Best for psychiatry: MDLIVE Online Therapy | Skip to review
- Best for pay-by-session: Doctor on Demand Online Therapy | Skip to review
- Best for kids: Thriveworks | Skip to review
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.
Talkspace
4.8 (32.2k+) from App Store
- Cost: starts at $0 copay with insurance; otherwise subscriptions start at $69 per week
- Therapy formats: live video sessions, text messaging, and audio calls or messages
- Services offered: talk therapy, psychiatry, couples therapy, individual therapy, and more
Use code “HEALTHLINE85” for $85 off.
Editor’s take
“Talkspace is a platform that has been in our slots for ‘best appointment variety’ and ‘best for insurance’ in most of our roundups. … The fact that the copay for some folks may be $0 is a pretty big draw.”
— Parisa Syed
Online therapy isn’t suitable for emergency situations
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out for help. Text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, which is available 24/7. You can also use the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741 in the United States and Canada.
Our picks for the best online therapy services that take insurance
Best overall
Talkspace
4.8 (32.2k+) from App Store
- Services offered: talk therapy, couples therapy, sex therapy, individual therapy, psychiatry, teen therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, therapy for veterans
- Insurance copay: ranges from $0 to $30
- Payment model: subscription-based
Use code “HEALTHLINE85” for $85 off.
4.4
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
- Why it’s best overall: Talkspace offers several communication platforms, therapy options, and flexible subscription plans. It can also prescribe medication and accepts most major insurances. You can check its partner list to see if you’re covered.
Talkspace allows you to text your therapist throughout the day. You can also have access to live video therapy sessions and therapy and psychiatry services to manage medication.
Talkspace offers therapy for individuals, couples, and teens.
Additionally, therapists who have experience providing supportive care to LBGTQIA+ individuals and veterans are available.
No matter what services you’re seeking, you’ll start by taking a brief assessment that will ask you questions about your mental health and current social situation. Talkspace will then match you with several potential therapists to choose from.
According to our user survey from 2022, 69% of users felt they were getting excellent or good value from the service. While 29% of users matched with a good therapist on their first try, 50% found a good match on their second — after they switched therapists. A total of 49% of Talkspace users would recommend their therapist to someone else.
Talkspace accepts multiple insurance plans and is a workplace benefit from some employers, but it’s also available without insurance.
Check out our full Talkspace review.
What our tester says
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for in-person and online therapy
Grow Therapy
4.1 (1.7k+) from Trustpilot
- Services offered: talk therapy, medication management
- Insurance copay: ranges from $0 to $22, depending on plan
- Payment model: pay-by-session
4.3
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
- Why we chose it: Grow Therapy stands out with its expansive network of therapists and psychiatrists, allowing you to search for in-person or online sessions based on specialty, location, and insurance provider.
Grow Therapy provides a user-friendly platform for individuals seeking mental health support, offering virtual therapy, medication management, and a unique feature to find local therapists for in-person sessions.
This in-person option is ideal if you prefer traditional face-to-face therapy but also want to search for a specific type of therapist and learn about them before your first session.
The platform’s search feature allows you to browse a network of over 19,000 therapists based on state, insurance provider, and specialty. You can specify preferences, such as therapists specializing in women’s issues or grief counseling, and review detailed profiles to find the right fit. You can then instantly book your session, whether online or in person.
Grow Therapy accepts most major insurance providers, making mental health care more accessible and affordable.
Read our in-depth review on Grow Therapy.
What our tester says
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for crisis care
Brightside Health
4.4 (1.8k+) from Brightside Health
- Services offered: therapy, medication management
- Insurance copay: varies based on insurance provider
- Payment model: subscription-based
3.8
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
- Why we chose it: Brightside offers Crisis Care, a specialized program tailored for those with acute suicidal thoughts or behaviors. It is a swift, structured support with appointments within 48 hours and a 4- to 12-week duration. Crisis Care is only available for individuals with insurance.
Brightside is a subscription-based online therapy platform that offers a range of mental health services, including therapy, psychiatry, therapy and psychiatry, and crisis care, all covered by insurance.
Brightside’s therapy-only plan includes four private video sessions per month and unlimited messaging with licensed therapists. The psychiatry plan offers evaluations, personalized treatment plans, and medication management. For a comprehensive approach, the psychiatry and therapy plan combines both services.
Brightside is unique in that it offers a Crisis Care program tailored for individuals experiencing heightened suicidal thoughts or behaviors. This specialized program, based on the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework, prioritizes appointments within 48 hours and involves a structured 4- to 12-week plan.
Crisis Care emphasizes personalized mental health care via video sessions, messaging, and focused treatment plans, addressing immediate and critical mental health needs.
Currently available in select states, Crisis Care is exclusively covered by insurance, with plans for wider accessibility in progress.
Read our full review of Brightside.
What our tester says
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for psychiatry
MDLIVE Online Therapy
4.7 (88.4k+) from Trustpilot
- Services offered: therapy, psychiatry, urgent care, primary care checkups, dermatology
- Insurance copay: can be as low as $0, depending on insurance
- Payment model: pay-by-session
4.7
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
- Why we chose it: MDLIVE provides treatment with a psychiatrist, lets you choose your provider, and offers low-cost prescriptions. It was also one of the platforms with the highest satisfaction rate from our 2022 Online Therapy Survey.
To check if MDLIVE accepts your insurance, you first have to create an account. You can use MDLIVE to talk with a therapist online or over the phone. The platform will help you choose the right therapist or psychiatrist.
In fact, 57% of MDLIVE users matched with a therapist who was a good fit for them on the first try. Also, 88% of MDLIVE users “believed their therapist understood their needs ‘very well’ or ‘somewhat well.’” Overall, 86% of MDLIVE users believed they were getting excellent or good value from the platform.
MDLIVE can be used to set up regular therapy sessions to help manage:
You can also receive prescriptions and monitoring support if medication is appropriate to support your mental health.
MDLIVE also offers virtual acute medical urgent care and dermatology consultations. They take insurance from most major insurance companies. Without insurance, costs per therapy session can go up to $108, while psychiatry can go up to $284.
Check out our full MDLIVE review.
What our tester says
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for pay-by-session
Doctor on Demand Online Therapy
4.9 (105+) from Doctor on Demand
- Services offered: therapy, psychiatry, preventive health, urgent care
- Insurance copay: ranges from $0 to $134, depending on insurance
- Payment model: pay-by-session
GET STARTED WITH DOCTOR ON DEMAND
3.6
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
- Why we chose it: Doctor on Demand is our top pick for people who want to do single sessions instead of subscribing to a plan. The platform provides psychologists and psychiatrists. You can also connect to a healthcare professional for health and wellness checkups.
You can search for which insurance Doctor on Demand accepts before you sign up. You’ll start with an assessment to see if online therapy is appropriate for you. Depending on your results, Doctor on Demand will then match you with a therapist or psychiatrist who can help you.
You can have an online video appointment any day of the week with this platform.
The therapists and psychiatrists are able to treat a wide variety of concerns, but the service specializes in:
- depression
- anxiety
- trauma
- loss
- postpartum depression
- substance misuse
- relationship concerns
Costs start at $134 before insurance depending on the length of the therapy session and the type of medical professional you meet with. Appointments with a healthcare professional cost $79 for 15 minutes.
Doctor on Demand was one of the highest performers in our 2022 online therapy survey. In total, 80% of users were satisfied with the overall value of the platform, and 84% believed their therapist understood their needs very well or somewhat well.
Check out our full Doctor on Demand review.
What our tester says
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for kids
Thriveworks
- Services offered: counseling, psychiatry (specializes in marriage and addiction counseling)
- Insurance copay: ranges from $0 to $50, depending on insurance
- Payment model: $0 to $50 per session in addition to copay. $135 to $240 for self-pay without insurance.
4.2
out of 5
healthline score
Healthline’s review
- Why we chose it: While most online therapy platforms have age restrictions, Thriveworks offers online therapy services for children ages 0 to 17, both in person and online.
In addition to accepting various insurance plans, Thriveworks offers in-person and online sessions. It also operates a pay-by-session model, compared to the usual subscription model.
Thriveworks is known for the wide array of licensed therapists it offers. You can select from therapists who have a variety of different backgrounds, including:
- CBT
- mindfulness approaches
- other methods
Available options include choosing a therapist who speaks your native language and selecting a different type of mental health professional like a psychiatrist or life coach.
You can search whether Thriveworks accepts your insurance before creating an account.
Pros & cons
Product details
Comparing the best online therapy services that take insurance
| Teletherapy companies | 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.
How we chose the best online therapy platforms that take insurance
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.
Why Trust Healthline
35+
online therapy platforms evaluated
12
online therapy platforms personally tested
How we evaluate online therapy platforms
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
BetterHelp
BetterHelp’s comprehensive matching system fulfills over 93% of client preferences, connecting you with a therapist who aligns with your unique needs and background.
BetterHelp accepts HSA/FSA
4 million+ helped
Access Therapy 24/7
Preferred by 94% of users
How do I know if an online therapist takes my insurance?
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.
What if my insurance doesn’t cover online therapy?
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.
Frequently asked questions about online therapy and insurance
Why don’t all online therapy services take insurance?
How much does therapy/online therapy cost?
How can I do therapy at home?
Do online therapy services take Medicaid or Medicare?
Does BetterHelp bill insurance?
Takeaway
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Explore online talk therapy options
4.5
FROM TRUSTPILOT
Therapy via messaging, phone, or live video chat
- Great for a large network of licensed therapists
- Flexible cancellation at any time
- $65 to 90/week, billed every 4 weeks
20% off your first month
4.6
(2.1K+)
FROM App Store
Medication for anxiety and depression
- FDA-approved medication for anxiety and depression available
- Unlimited check-ins via online messaging
- $49 to $85/month, billed monthly
$49 per month or less than $2 per day.
4.8
(29.8k)
FROM App Store
Combine therapy and psychiatry
- Therapy via messaging, phone, or live video chat
- Psychiatry and prescription management available
- Covered members pay an average copay of $30
Special Offer: $85 off
4.7
(2.9k)
FROM ONLINE-THERAPY.COM
Holistic programs with videos, journaling, and yoga
- Great for cognitive behavioral therapy
- Therapy via messaging, live video chat, and worksheets
- $40 to $88/week, billed monthly
20% off your first month
How we reviewed this article:
Sources
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Mar 13, 2025
Written By
S. Srakocic, Jody Amable, Traci Pedersen
Edited By
Kristin Currin
Fact Checked By
Michael Crescione
Copy Edited By
Copy Editors
Feb 14, 2025
Written By
S. Srakocic, Jody Amable, Traci Pedersen
Edited By
Kristin Currin
Copy Edited By
Chris Doka
VIEW ALL HISTORY
Reference:
Written by S. Srakocic and Jody Amable and Traci Pedersen — Fact checked by Michael Crescione — Updated on March 13, 2025
Leave a Reply