Does Health Insurance Cover Online Therapy?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Online Therapy?Will Insurance Pay?Find a Therapist Who Takes InsuranceNavigating Insurance IssuesPaying Without InsuranceHow to Find the Best Online TherapistNext in Working With a Therapist GuideOnline Therapy: Security, Ethics, and Legal Issues

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Online Therapy?

Will Insurance Pay?

Find a Therapist Who Takes Insurance

Navigating Insurance Issues

Paying Without Insurance

How to Find the Best Online Therapist

Next in Working With a Therapist Guide

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Teletherapy has become increasingly common in recent years. This has led many to ask: Does my health insurance cover online therapy? The answer to that question is that it depends. Some policies will cover online sessions, while others won’t. You should check your policy and learn about any specific requirements your insurance provider may have.

At a GlanceWhile online therapy has flourished, that doesn’t mean that all insurance policies are willing to pay for treatment provided through online therapy platforms. Always talk to your insurance company, ask your therapist if they take insurance, and find out if you need to get a prior authorization before you begin treatment. If your insurance doesn’t cover online therapy, other options are available: sliding scale payments, flexible spending accounts, or discounts for online therapy platforms are a few options.

At a Glance

While online therapy has flourished, that doesn’t mean that all insurance policies are willing to pay for treatment provided through online therapy platforms. Always talk to your insurance company, ask your therapist if they take insurance, and find out if you need to get a prior authorization before you begin treatment. If your insurance doesn’t cover online therapy, other options are available: sliding scale payments, flexible spending accounts, or discounts for online therapy platforms are a few options.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to telehealth andteletherapyservices grew tremendously.While stay-at-home orders were in place, many therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists transitioned from in-person office settings to online therapy.This meant that insurance providers had to move quickly to authorize payments.

A Verywell Report: Americans Find Strength in Online Therapy

Online therapy, or teletherapy as it is often called, operates much the same way as traditional, in-person therapy—but with a twist. Rather than visiting a therapist’s office, you stay home and conduct a session via video on your computer, tablet, or phone. If video is not an option, your therapist may offer a session on a conference call, a regular telephone voice call, or even via email or text message.

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Will Insurance Cover Online Therapy?

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, most providers and insurers responded quickly to the need for increased access to teletherapy for existing patients and people looking to start therapy. They established new procedures or waivers to existing ones to allow for coverage of online therapy.

Some of these policies and waivers are still in effect depending on where you live and who your insurance provider is. However, the landscape of health insurance coverage for telehealth is in flux. So it’s best to check in with your insurance company to see exactly what your plan covers.

In an April 2020 interview,Anna Hindell, LCSW-R, a psychotherapist in New York City, explained that insurance and telehealth coverage changed rapidly during the COVID-19 crisis. For example, Congress expanded Medicare and Medicaid, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) relaxed rules governing HIPAA-compliant platforms for telehealth.

Some states relaxed licensure requirements so that practitioners with out-of-state licenses could provide telehealth to a patient in a different state. Or they allowed audio-only telehealth when previously video was required.

The most important thing to know about online therapy and insurance, according to Virginia Hill, senior insurance analyst atFit Small Business, is that coverage is going to depend on your carrier.

Some insurance policies will cover sessions, some will only cover sessions deemed medically necessary, and some don’t cover anything.—VIRGINIA HILL, SENIOR INSURANCE ANALYST

Some insurance policies will cover sessions, some will only cover sessions deemed medically necessary, and some don’t cover anything.

—VIRGINIA HILL, SENIOR INSURANCE ANALYST

Whilemany online therapy providers accept insurance, not all do. If you have health insurance, it’s a good idea to search for a therapy provider who accepts your plan.

Your insurance provider can also point you to a list of in-network online therapists who accept your insurance.

The 8 Best Online Therapy Services that Accept Insurance, Tried and Tested

The best source of information about what your plan covers is your insurer. Hill says your first stop should be your insurer’s website to see what therapies are covered (and what modalities, such as audio, video, or text messaging), how much your copay is, and which therapists accept the insurance.

Also, check to see what documentation you may need to get reimbursed, especially since a representative of your insurer may say your therapy is covered, but your claim may still be denied once your insurer reviews it.

If your insurer denies your request for prior authorization for telehealth services or denies your claim, considerfiling an appeal.

Keep good records of every conversation you have with your insurer,” in case you need to appeal.—VIRGINIA HILL, SENIOR INSURANCE ANALYST

Keep good records of every conversation you have with your insurer,” in case you need to appeal.

Do Online Therapy Providers Accept Medicare and Medicaid?

As with other insurance providers, Medicaid and Medicare have also expanded their coverage for online therapy services.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and theCoronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services broadened access to Medicare telehealth services to include psychotherapy and other mental health practices.

Medicare Part B covers certain telehealth services such as psychotherapy. For most of the services, you’ll pay the same amount that you would if you got the services in person.

However, are always caveats. Contact the customer service number on your insurance card or ask your provider for more information.

Whether or not Medicaid covers online therapy and which providers you’re able to see via teletherapy is up to the state (many do offer coverage). So you’ll need to check in with your state’s Medicaid office.

Check the therapy platform’s website. They will generally note whether they accept Medicaid or Medicare. For online therapists in private practice, call to see if they take these types of insurance.

Changes in Telehealth Policy Post-Pandemic

Many insurers expanded their telehealth coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, but some of these changes have since been rolled back since the public health emergency expired on May 11, 2023.

Some changes made during the pandemic will remain permanent for those on Medicare. For example, there are no geographic restrictions for the originating provider of behavioral and mental telehealth services. Such services can also be provided via audio-only communication platforms and in the individual’s home.

Psychologists may now be able to practice online therapy across state lines thanks to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). This allows licensed psychologists to practice remotely across state lines after they obtain authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT Commission.

While such changes have increased the accessibility of online therapy, it is still important to check with your specific insurance provider to learn more about what they will and will not cover.

Options for Paying Without Insurance

If you don’t have insurance or your insurance plan does not include online therapy, check to see if the therapist you’re interested in seeing offers asliding scaleto make payments more affordable.If you have a health spending account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you may be able to use those funds to pay for teletherapy as well.

Your local mental health agency and local and state-level health departments may also be able to help. These resources can help you find more information about services available where you live.

You can also check out theOpen Path Psychotherapy Collective, which is a non-profit nationwide network of mental health professionals who charge between $30 to $60 for in-person and online psychotherapy sessions.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a helpline that provides information, resource referrals, and support. It is open to people living with a mental health condition and their families and caregivers. Call 800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., ET, or emailinfo@nami.org.

Community-based centers also offer a wide variety of low- to no-cost care, including mental health and substance abuse services. They are also authorized to provide telehealth services including online therapy. To find out if your community has a center or how to access a center close to you, visit theFederally Qualified Health Centers website.

Subscription Services

Teletherapy websites and apps offer affordable subscription services. Sites likeTalkspacetemporarily offered free therapy services for healthcare workers and first responders in early 2020. While that offer has ended, these groups can now receive 50% off the first month of any plan.

Real, a mental healthcare platform, has historically offered various services, including virtual group meetings and check-ins with therapists, for free during moments of heightened need.

Just as with traditional face-to-face therapy, it is important to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable. Research suggests that this relationship, known as atherapeutic alliance, plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of therapy.

Finding the right therapist for you can be a bit more challenging when you are looking online. Here are some things you can do to find the professional who is right for your needs:

Filter Your Options

Some online therapy platforms allow you to search for therapists based on certain experiences or backgrounds that they have. For example, if you are looking for a professional who understands and has experience withBIPOCorLGBTQ+issues, you may find it helpful to filter out professionals who don’t have specific experience in those areas.

Try a Consultation

Start with a consultation, if possible. Every online therapy platform is different, but you may be able to spend some time chatting with a potential therapist before you have your first session. This is a great way to determine it seems like a good fit.

Check Their Credentials

Whether you are using an online therapy platform or seeing a therapist in private practice, make sure you check theprofessional’s background and credentials. Make sure that they are licensed and credentialed to practice and have experience in the field.

Make Sure They Can Meet Your Needs

If you are looking for a certaintype of therapy, check that your online therapist is experienced with those techniques. If you also need medication, check that the professional canprescribe medications.

RecapMany insurance providers, including Medicaid and Medicare, now cover online therapy. Always check with the provider and your insurance company to be sure your treatment will be covered. Once you’ve determined how you will pay, you can turn your attention to choosing an online therapist who can meet your needs.

Recap

Many insurance providers, including Medicaid and Medicare, now cover online therapy. Always check with the provider and your insurance company to be sure your treatment will be covered. Once you’ve determined how you will pay, you can turn your attention to choosing an online therapist who can meet your needs.

Keep in Mind

While more and more insurers are covering teletherapy, the landscape of insurance coverage for mental health care and online services is changing rapidly, it’s a good idea to reach out to your insurance company, if you have one, to answer questions pertaining to your specific situation.

Online Therapy: Security, Ethics, and Legal Issues

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Department of Health and Human Services.Telehealth: Delivering care safely during COVID-19.Sampaio M, Haro MVN, De Sousa B, Melo WV, Hoffman HG.Therapists make the switch to telepsychology to safely continue treating their patients during the covid-19 pandemic. Virtual reality telepsychology may be next.Front Virtual Real. 2021;1:576421. doi:10.3389/frvir.2020.576421American Psychological Association.Online therapy is here to stay.Center for Connected Health Policy.COVID-19 telehealth coverage policies.Federation of State Medical Boards.U.S. states and territories modifying requirements for telehealth in response to COVID-19.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Telehealth.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Telemedicine.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Telehealth policy changes after the COVID-19 public health emergency.National Institute of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.Norcross JC.Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Department of Health and Human Services.Telehealth: Delivering care safely during COVID-19.Sampaio M, Haro MVN, De Sousa B, Melo WV, Hoffman HG.Therapists make the switch to telepsychology to safely continue treating their patients during the covid-19 pandemic. Virtual reality telepsychology may be next.Front Virtual Real. 2021;1:576421. doi:10.3389/frvir.2020.576421American Psychological Association.Online therapy is here to stay.Center for Connected Health Policy.COVID-19 telehealth coverage policies.Federation of State Medical Boards.U.S. states and territories modifying requirements for telehealth in response to COVID-19.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Telehealth.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Telemedicine.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Telehealth policy changes after the COVID-19 public health emergency.National Institute of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.Norcross JC.Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Department of Health and Human Services.Telehealth: Delivering care safely during COVID-19.Sampaio M, Haro MVN, De Sousa B, Melo WV, Hoffman HG.Therapists make the switch to telepsychology to safely continue treating their patients during the covid-19 pandemic. Virtual reality telepsychology may be next.Front Virtual Real. 2021;1:576421. doi:10.3389/frvir.2020.576421American Psychological Association.Online therapy is here to stay.Center for Connected Health Policy.COVID-19 telehealth coverage policies.Federation of State Medical Boards.U.S. states and territories modifying requirements for telehealth in response to COVID-19.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Telehealth.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Telemedicine.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Telehealth policy changes after the COVID-19 public health emergency.National Institute of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.Norcross JC.Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.

Department of Health and Human Services.Telehealth: Delivering care safely during COVID-19.

Sampaio M, Haro MVN, De Sousa B, Melo WV, Hoffman HG.Therapists make the switch to telepsychology to safely continue treating their patients during the covid-19 pandemic. Virtual reality telepsychology may be next.Front Virtual Real. 2021;1:576421. doi:10.3389/frvir.2020.576421

American Psychological Association.Online therapy is here to stay.

Center for Connected Health Policy.COVID-19 telehealth coverage policies.

Federation of State Medical Boards.U.S. states and territories modifying requirements for telehealth in response to COVID-19.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Telehealth.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Telemedicine.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Telehealth policy changes after the COVID-19 public health emergency.

National Institute of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.

Norcross JC.Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships. Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy.

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