Best Online Therapy That Takes Insurance in 2023

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Before 2020, the idea of seeing a therapist online might have seemed like a strange concept for some. But today, online therapy platforms are increasingly being used to help therapists address a spike in mental health care needs. According to the American Psychological Association, psychologists saw 84 percent more patients with anxiety disorders and 72 percent more patients with depressive disorders in October 2021 than they did before the pandemic — with most psychologists treating patients virtually. Even though there are a variety of online therapy apps to help address this need, none of them will be of any use if you can’t pay for them. If you’re looking for the best online therapy that takes insurance, here are the top platforms that do.

• Best Online Therapy and Medication That Takes Insurance: Brightside
• Best Online Therapy That Takes Insurance Overall: Talkspace
• Best Online for Specialized Care: MDLive
• Best Online Therapy for Children That Takes Insurance: LiveHealth Online

Pros

• In-network for Aetna, Allegiance, Cigna, Optum/UnitedHealthcare, and Anthem CA insurance in select states
• Therapy and medication management is available in every state
• Uses a unique technology called PrecisionRX that recommends the most effective medication for your symptoms
• All plans include unlimited messaging with your provider
• Therapy sessions are 45 minutes long
• Has an app for iOS phones

Cons

• Ability to switch therapists is not guaranteed
• Only offers video therapy
• Does not have an app for Android phones
• Psychiatry sessions are only 30 minutes long

Brightside offers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication management in all 50 states and is in-network nationwide for several major insurance carriers like Aetna and Cigna. It’s currently rolling out nationwide in-network coverage for Optum/United Healthcare.

Session Types

Brightside only offers video therapy. If you choose a plan that includes it, you will have 45-minute sessions every week. Every Brightside therapist uses a CBT approach to therapy, which has been demonstrated as an effective treatment for issues like depression, anxiety, substance use, and eating disorders according to the American Psychological Association.

You can schedule your therapy appointments at times that work for both you and your therapist, and you can contact them at any time between appointments through the unlimited messaging feature.

Cost and Payment Options

In our reviews team’s January 2023 survey of 200 Brightside users, 76.5 percent of respondents used insurance to pay for online therapy on the platform. If you use insurance to pay for your Brightside membership, your exact cost will depend on your individual plan. To confirm the exact amounts you’ll be expected to pay, you should contact your insurance provider to confirm your benefits.

If you don’t use insurance, Brightside costs between $95 and $349 per month, depending on the plan you choose. You can pay with Visa and Mastercard credit cards or FSA or HSA dollars. Brightside will charge you monthly from the date you first activate your plan. Here are the three Brightside plan options:

Therapy

• Costs $299 per month without insurance
• Includes four 45-minute therapy sessions per month and unlimited messaging to your therapist
• Includes access to 10 self-care videos

Medication

• Costs $95 per month without insurance
• Meet with a provider for a comprehensive evaluation to determine if medication is the right fit
• Includes unlimited messaging with your psychiatric provider
• Psychiatry sessions are 30 minutes long

Therapy and Medication

• Costs $349 per month without insurance
• Includes all of the benefits of the therapy and medication plans

What Insurance Does Brightside Accept?

Brightside accepts insurance nationwide for Aetna and Allegiance, and accepts Cigna in all states except Minnesota. It currently only accepts Anthem in California, and is rolling out nationwide coverage for Optum/United Healthcare. During your Brightside sign up process, you can input your insurance information to check your coverage.

For more in-depth information, read our Brightside review.

Use Brightside promo code "EDH60" for $60 off your first month of cash plans.

Pros

• Offers medication management
• Various price tiers to choose from
• Many options for therapy communication methods, including text, audio, and video messaging as well as live sessions
• Choice of several providers offered

Cons

• Live video sessions not available on all tiers
• May be delays in responses to messages

Talkspace operates under the principle that your mental health needs shouldn't be paused just because you don't have instant access to a counselor at all times. That’s why the platform offers an unlimited messaging plan that allows users to message their counselors as things come up throughout the day instead of waiting for a live session.

Users are matched with their therapists initially but they can switch anytime. When our reviews team interviewed online therapy users, a Talkspace user shared that they found there were many therapists to choose from on the platform.

Session Types

Talkspace offers two session formats to choose from: messaging and live therapy.

Messaging Therapy

With the messaging therapy plan, you will be matched with a therapist and provided with a private chatroom where you can send text, audio, and video messages. The room is open at all times, and you can send a message whenever you feel the need. Your therapist monitors the room and responds according to their set schedule five days a week, but they may not do so outside of these scheduled hours. If you want real-time interaction with your therapist, you can schedule a live audio, video, or chat session for an additional $65 per session.

Talkspace states that therapists respond to messages, but messages sent outside of scheduled hours or late at night may not receive a response until the morning. Additionally, therapists are only required to respond five days a week, which may be a roadblock for someone hoping for a response to a message outside of their therapist’s schedule. Nonetheless, you can send as many messages as you like, even outside of your therapist’s working hours, which may be convenient for people who prefer to get things off their chest as they come up.

When our reviews team tested Talkspace, our tester noted that the average time to receive a response was 78 minutes, a little over an hour.

In our January 2023 survey of 200 Talkspace users, 78 percent of respondents indicated that they liked the unlimited messaging feature and 83 percent indicated they were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their therapist’s responsiveness on the platform.

Video Plus Messaging Therapy

The video therapy with unlimited messaging subscription offers the same features as the messaging therapy plan, with the addition of four 30-minute live therapy sessions per month. You can access live therapy sessions through the platform via video, audio-only, or live chat.

Video Plus Messaging Plus Workshops

The "video plus messaging plus workshops" subscription gives you access to the same features as the "video plus messaging therapy" subscription, with the addition of live online workshops. Talkspace workshops are live group classes led by licensed therapists during scheduled times on Mondays through Fridays via Zoom. The workshops are not group therapy classes and instead are intended to provide additional guidance on a variety of common issues, such as those related to parenting, relationships, and work stressors, for example.

The BBB gives Talkspace a B rating, yet customers who reviewed Talkspace on the BBB gave it 1.09 out of 5 stars.

Cost and Payment Options

Talkspace pricing varies, based on where you live and the availability of therapists who are licensed to practice in your state of residence. Here’s what you can expect to pay without insurance, depending on the subscription you choose:

• Messaging Therapy Text, video, and audio messaging starting at $69 per week, $276 per month; discounts for paying quarterly (10 percent) and biannually (20 percent)
• Video Plus Messaging Therapy Four 30-minute live therapy sessions per month starting at $99 per week, $396 per month; discounts for paying quarterly (10 percent) and biannually (20 percent)
• Video Plus Messaging Plus Workshops Text, video, and audio messaging plus four 30-minute live therapy sessions per month starting at $109 per week, $436 per month; discounts for paying quarterly (10 percent) and biannually (20 percent)
• Teen Therapy (Ages 13 to 17) Text, audio, and video messaging for $65 per week, $260 per month
• Psychiatrist Sessions $249 for the first consultation, $125 for follow-up visits

What Insurance Does Talkspace Accept?

Talkspace partners with a lengthy list of insurance providers, employer-based insurance plans, and employee assistance programs. Enter the name of your insurance company on the Talkspace partners page to see whether the company accepts your insurance.

In our survey of Talkspace users, 60 percent of respondents used their insurance to pay for online therapy on Talkspace.

Read our expert review of the Talkspace online therapy platform for more information.

Use Talkspace promo code "EVERYDAYTS" for $100 off your first month.

Pros

• Ability to choose your own therapist
• Can provide medication management
• Wide range of services offered

Cons

• Primarily for medication management
• No monthly subscription plans
• Email and text options not available

MDLive is a comprehensive online medical platform that connects users with both mental health care professionals and nonemergency medical care via telehealth for issues that may arise such as migraine, pink eye, and sinus infections. MDLive also has psychiatrists on its platform, meaning users can get a prescription if advised as part of a treatment plan. MDLive is the best option for finding specialized mental health support that accepts insurance. When you search for a therapist on the platform, you can filter your search by a range of specialties, including issues related to chronic pain, grief or loss, hoarding, internet addiction, pregnancy or infertility, sex therapy, video game addiction, and eating disorders.

Consumer ratings also set MDLive apart from other online therapy platforms that take insurance. Consumer review site Trustpilot gives MDLive a TrustScore of 4.2, which is considered excellent. A TrustScore is the overall measurement of reviewer satisfaction based on all the service and location reviews a business receives on Trustpilot on a scale of 1 to 5. MDLive users appreciate the convenience of the therapy, with one Trustpilot review stating, “I’ve always wanted to try therapy but found it difficult to fit into my schedule. I have high hopes for success moving forward because MD Live makes it easy.”

We also looked at the BBB ratings, which are based on information that the BBB obtains about a business, including complaints received from the public. The BBB gives MDLive an A+ rating, although it averages 1.05 out of 5 stars from 39 customer reviews. In contrast, the BBB gives Talkspace a B rating and 1.09 out of 5 stars from customer reviews. LiveHealth Online isn’t BBB-rated.

Session Types

MDLive offers sessions by both phone and live video chat. This includes counseling and medication services.

Cost and Payment Options

MDLive charges $108 for a counseling session. For medication management, it charges $284 for the first visit with a psychiatrist and $108 for follow-up appointments. Insurance will lower the cost of therapy, but specific pricing depends on your insurance.

What Insurance Does MDLive Accept?

MDLive accepts most insurance plans, including Cigna, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna. To find out whether MDLive accepts your insurance, you can register for a free account and input your insurance information.

Pros

• Offers therapy for children between age 10 and 17
• Can provide medication management

Cons

• Medication management offered for adults only
• No monthly plans offered
• Email and text options not available

Most online therapy services only serve adults. Some platforms offer therapy to children ages 13 and older, but LiveHealth Online will provide online therapy for children as young as 10. Make sure that this type of therapy is right for your child and their needs. For example, if they are having difficulty managing their feelings or are feeling anxious, angry, or sad, online therapy may be beneficial, according to The Family Institute at Northwestern University.

Keep in mind, however, that online therapy isn’t for everyone. “While many therapists have successfully engaged children in online therapy, especially during the pandemic, and have done so with much success, it may be harder for kids to remain engaged online,” says Sarah Epstein, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Dallas.

Session Types

LiveHealth Online provides therapy via live video sessions with a therapist or a psychiatrist. Simply sign up using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Once registered, you’ll be able to choose from a list of therapists and doctors who are licensed in your state and schedule an appointment. It’s free to sign up, and there are no monthly subscription fees.

Cost and Payment Options

Without insurance, an initial video session with a LiveHealth Online psychiatrist is $175, with follow-up visits costing $75 each. Video sessions with online therapists are $80 each, and video sessions with online psychologists are $95 each. Insurance will lower the cost of therapy, but specific pricing depends on your insurance.

What Insurance Does LiveHealth Online Accept?

LiveHealth Online’s video sessions are covered by several insurance plans. These include Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross, and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans. Other plans may cover some of the cost but aren’t considered in-network, according to LiveHealth Online.

You can check if your insurance plan is in-network and how much you would pay for a visit on the pricing page.

Most online therapy providers have some indication on their site of what forms of insurance they take. If your health insurance provider isn’t listed, you can call the number on the back of your insurance card or look on their website to see whether they cover online therapy and from which providers.

Do Online Therapy Providers Take Medicare or Medicaid?

Under the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, Medicare plans are required to include online therapy. Medicare Part B will cover online therapy and charge the same for it as in-person therapy. Different states have different rules about covering online therapy under Medicaid, so you need to check your state’s Medicaid plan to see if you could get online therapy with it. If your plan does cover online therapy, the platform you’re interested in using will usually indicate on its website whether it accepts either Medicaid or Medicare.

Other Ways to Save on Online Therapy

If your insurance doesn’t cover online therapy, check with your employer. They may offer an employee assistance program that covers some visits with an online therapy provider. Many online therapy platforms offer a free trial of their services or a monthly subscription plan that may save you money. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also offers various resources for those who are having trouble affording therapy, such as a list of prescription assistance programs for psychiatric medications. Additionally, your local NAMI affiliate may be able to connect you with housing resources and support.

Pros

• Easier to fit into your schedule than in-person appointments
• Ability to write to your therapist about problems as they come up rather than once a week, with some providers
• No need to travel

Cons

• May not receive instant responses from a provider, unless sessions are live
• Most only serve individuals age 18 and older
• Not always covered by insurance
• Requires individuals to be comfortable talking in a digital or video format

Online therapy is best for those who are comfortable using technology to communicate, who don’t mind waiting for a response to whatever issues they bring up in therapy, and who are potentially willing to pay out of pocket. On the other hand, if you prefer discussing issues in person, don’t have a strong internet connection, and aren’t willing to wait for a response, online therapy might not be right for you.

In addition, online therapy is not for individuals who have thoughts of hurting themselves or others, as they need immediate professional care. Individuals with severe mental health issues such as mania, psychosis, and traumatic stress response may consider consulting with a professional before engaging in online therapy, since telehealth for people in distress can be challenging, according to an article published in January 2020 in the Journal of Psychotherapy Integration. In case of an emergency or plans to harm yourself or others, call 911.

Some aspects of online therapy and in-person therapy are universal. “The most important factor to know before choosing a therapist, online or otherwise, is fit, both in terms of personality and their approach to treatment,” says Aaron Weiner, PhD, a licensed, board-certified psychologist and master addiction counselor in Chicago. “The biggest difference between online therapy and in-person therapy is that it’s easier to be distracted or disengaged online — all the normal distractions in your environment are still there,” he says.

Specifically, online therapy can help with a wide variety of conditions and concerns:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Relationships
• Parenting
• Addictions
• Eating
• Sleeping
• Trauma
• Self-esteem

Whether you’re going with an online therapy subscription or paying per visit, there are several things you should know about the plan you are interested in. Take notice of the prices for various providers on the online therapy platform (you’ll probably have to pay more if you need to see a psychiatrist). If you’re allowed to choose a provider from a group of them, make sure they have experience treating your specific concerns, such as depression, anxiety, or certain phobias, for example. You should also make sure that you have space at home to participate in your appointments in a private area without distractions.

To make your first online therapy appointment easier for both yourself and your therapist, consider the following tips:

• Be ready to share your medical history. You don’t need to share every single illness you’ve ever had, but you should at least have a basic rundown of your mental health history and past treatment.
• Check any equipment you’re going to use for your visit beforehand, so you know it is working properly.
• Find a private space in your home where you can talk to someone without others overhearing.
• Make a list of the topics you want to cover and refer to it when speaking to your therapist.
• Likewise, make a list of things you might want to ask your therapist, like how long they’ve been in practice and how much experience they have in dealing with issues like yours.

We independently investigate and recommend products and services we believe will enrich the lives of our readers and meet their specific needs. We’ve spent hundreds of hours conducting in-depth research on the online therapy market. You can read more about our research on our full online therapy methodology page.

You can trust our review because we did the legwork for you in these specific ways:

• Engaged in ongoing independent research
• Spent over 245 hours testing eight brands, deployed surveys that included over 200 participants each, and interviewed focus groups
• Went behind the paywall for two months with eight brands to mystery shop our best online therapy choices
• Contacted the brands’ customer service teams to ask questions and gauge responsiveness
• Became customers of online therapy providers ourselves
• Reviewed academic research into the efficacy of online therapy versus in-person therapy
• Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

Learn more about how we tested and evaluated the best online therapy brands by reading the full results from our online therapy testing.

A variety of online therapy providers take insurance. Which provider you should choose depends on your needs. If you’re primarily looking for medication management, MDLive or Talkspace may serve you best. If you want a combination of medication and online therapy, especially if you have Aetna, Cigna, or Optum/UnitedHealthcare, Brightside is a good option for using insurance. If you’re looking for therapy for a child under age 18, LiveHealth Online may be a good fit.

If you are in crisis, waiting for an online therapy appointment may not be safe. In case of an emergency, call 911. This includes plans to harm yourself or others. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Help is available 24/7.

You can also reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357). The SAMHSA help line is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-days-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals facing mental or substance abuse disorders.