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We reviewed the best online therapy platforms that take insurance. Learn why we chose Brightside, Talkiatry, Talkspace and MDLive as our top picks.
When COVID-19 restrictions limited in-person contact, many people turned to online therapy for their mental health care. Pandemic restrictions have since been lifted, but the need for convenient and affordable therapy and psychiatry services remains.
The cost of gas and childcare on top of weekly session fees make in-person therapy inaccessible for many Americans. Online therapy may be more affordable than in-person therapy, and online therapy platforms that take insurance can make therapy even more accessible. Telehealth also makes it easier to find an online psychiatrist for a mental health diagnosis and prescription medication management, and it can be cheaper than in-person psychiatric care.
The MarketWatch Guides team researched the best online therapy platforms that take insurance, considering factors like overall cost, types of services offered and insurance providers accepted. Explore our best online therapy services that take insurance and make an informed decision about which platform is best for you.
| Provider | Key Features | Insurance Fees | Insurance Accepted | Learn More About Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightside | Therapy, psychiatry or a combination of both | No monthly membership fee when you pay with insurance Copay amounts vary by insurance provider | Cigna/Evernorth, Aetna, Optum/United Healthcare, Anthem CA, Allegiance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, PEHP | Brightside FAQs |
| Talkspace | Therapy and psychiatry, with specialties in couple therapy and teen therapy | No monthly subscription fee Most insured patients have a copay of $25 or less | Aenta, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, Oscar, United Healthcare, Optum, Compsych | Talkspace Partners |
| Talkiatry | Physiatry and medication management, including prescribing some medications for anxiety and ADHD | No monthly membership fee Most insured patients have a copay of $25 or less | Aenta, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, Oscar, United Healthcare, Optum, Compsych | Talkiatry Insurance |
| MDLive | Therapy, psychiatry, primary care, urgent care, and some specialists, like dermatology | No monthly membership fee Copays for talk therapy: $0-$108 Copays for psychiatry: $0-$284 | Services available through many employer health plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optima Health and others | MDLive FAQs |
We at the MarketWatch Guides team reviewed online therapy platforms that take insurance and selected four of the best options: Brightside, Talkiatry, Talkspace and MDLive. Each of these platforms provides access to licensed therapists and, in some cases, psychiatrists. The types of therapy provided by each platform vary and may include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and client-based therapy. Learn about the pros and cons of each virtual therapy platform, as well as key features that differentiate the brands.
In most cases, online therapy platforms have a section on their website — often in the FAQ section — listing which health insurance plans they accept. If you can’t find adequate information on the online therapy company’s website, visit your health insurance company’s website or call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to ask if online therapy is covered by your plan and if so, which providers are in-network. Using a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA) may be another option. In some cases, online therapy is covered by these accounts when it’s considered medically necessary for your mental health.
You can check to see whether your plan covers online therapy by contacting your insurance company directly. A representative from the company should be able to tell you whether your plan includes online therapy, what to expect in terms of copayments and which therapists and platforms are in network.
Many online therapy platforms also make it easy to search accepted insurance companies and plans. You may need to provide your name, plan name and policy number to access this information.
Many online therapy platforms indicate they accept Medicare, including Brightside and Talkiatry. In 2020, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act required Medicare plans to cover online services delivered by licensed therapists. Medicare Part B will cover online behavioral health services received in the home.
Some online therapy programs accept Medicaid, including Brightside and MDLive. But individual states run their own Medicaid programs, so each state will have different guidelines about whether or not teletherapy is covered. Visit your state’s Medicaid website to see if teletherapy is covered. Then, find out if the online therapy you’re interested in accepts Medicaid.
If your insurance plan doesn’t cover online therapy, your employer may have an assistance program that does. Also, some online therapy platforms have free trials or monthly subscription plans that can help you save money in the long run. On Talkspace, for example, you may save 10% to 20% by choosing to be billed quarterly or biannually. It’s also worth researching promotional codes available online for specific platforms. Finally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has resources designed to help those who are finding it difficult to afford therapy.
Online therapy is a great tool for people living with anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. But online therapy might not be the best fit for everyone.
For people who are comfortable using digital communication methods, such as video and texting, online therapy is an accessible and affordable alternative to in-person therapy. Online therapy is also useful for people who live in rural areas where there may not be licensed therapists within a reasonable driving distance. Also, online therapy platforms typically don’t have long waiting lists, as do many in-person providers.
If the online therapy format is a good fit for your needs, online therapy platforms can help with many mental health conditions and concerns:
Online therapy isn’t ideal or safe for everyone. People experiencing a mental health crisis, such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, should seek immediate professional care by calling 911. For people having suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24/7 at 800-273-8255.
People living with severe and complex mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or mania, should speak with a mental health professional before determining if online therapy is the right choice for their needs.
To help prepare for your first online therapy appointment, you should:
Online therapy is often more affordable and accessible than in-person therapy. Though pricing varies by insurance plan, online therapy platforms that take insurance typically make therapy even more affordable. Several well-known online therapy platforms accept health insurance, including Brigthtside, Talkiatry, Talkspace and MDLive. Which platform you use depends on your individual needs. If you are a parent seeking a licensed therapist for your teenage kids, Talkspace may be the best choice. Talkiatry is ideal for people seeking both psychiatry and medication management.
Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy, a finding supported by the majority of psychologists surveyed in the American Psychological Association’s 2021 COVID-19 Telehealth Practitioner Survey.
In many cases, yes. Online mental health services from platforms like Talkspace and Brightside accept major insurance providers. Shop around to find online therapy services that take your insurance.
Find an online therapy platform that takes insurance, like Brightside or Talkiatry, and visit their FAQs to see if they accept your insurance provider. You can also contact your insurance provider directly to ask about in-network online therapy platforms.
Several online therapy platforms that take insurance offer couples therapy, including Talkspace and Amwell.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.
