Does BetterHelp Take Insurance? Explore Your Options

One of the first considerations you might have when signing up for BetterHelp online therapy is how much it will cost and whether the platform accepts your insurance. Getting the answers to these questions can help you make the best choice for your mental health care needs.

What is BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is one of the leading online therapy platforms. This therapy service works with over 30,000 licensed therapists worldwide and is designed to be a convenient, online option for various forms of mental health counseling. Start by filling out a quick questionnaire to get matched with a therapist, who you can then meet with on a weekly basis. All therapists through BetterHelp are vetted, licensed, and experienced in a variety of therapeutic approaches.

Can you get diagnosed on BetterHelp?

Many individuals seek therapy because they are concerned that they may be living with a mental illness, like depression or an anxiety disorder. If this is the case, you may wonder if you can get diagnosed by a BetterHelp therapist.

While BetterHelp therapists are equipped to treat and diagnose symptoms of various mental illnesses, they are not permitted to diagnose or prescribe medication through the platform due to BetterHelp’s terms and conditions. However, BetterHelp therapists can still support you in addressing your mental health concerns.

How does BetterHelp work? 

• Live chat
• Live phone calls
• Live video sessions

How long are BetterHelp sessions?

The average BetterHelp session lasts 30 minutes and occurs once a week. However, you may be able to schedule a 45-minute session, depending on your therapist’s availability. Your session will take place virtually, over live video, phone, or chat, which means you can participate in therapy from anywhere with an internet connection. You can also use the in-app messaging feature to communicate with your therapist outside of live sessions. 

The cost of BetterHelp therapy

Before embarking on your mental health journey, consider the costs of care with various providers. You're not alone if you're worried you can't afford mental health treatment. In one study, 60% of participants worried they couldn't afford their therapy sessions, and over 40% stated they skipped some sessions to save money. With an average in-person therapy cost of $100 to $200 a session, therapy can be a significant financial commitment. 

Source

How will I pay for BetterHelp without insurance?

For those without insurance, BetterHelp subscriptions are billed on a weekly or monthly basis. The BetterHelp subscription includes one 30- or 45-minute session a week and in-app messaging with your therapist. This weekly cost ranges from around   $70 to $100  (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply) to have sessions with a qualified therapist. It can be an affordable option compared to in-person therapy without insurance, and BetterHelp offers financial aid and discounted rates to some clients. 

Does BetterHelp take insurance?

Some therapists on the platform are now considered “in-network” with certain insurance plans (state-limited), and BetterHelp is in the process of expanding this model. Even if a BetterHelp therapist is “out of network” with most insurance providers or your own insurance plan, care through the platform can still be an affordable option compared to out-of-pocket costs for in-person therapy.

How insurance coverage works for therapy

Insurance claims are when you request that your insurance company pay for a healthcare cost, such as the price of a therapy session with a licensed mental health professional. Claims will be approved (paid in part or in full, up front or via reimbursement) or denied (not paid) by your insurance company, depending on your plan. 

• Note that if your insurance provider doesn’t cover therapy up front, you might be eligible for reimbursement—when you pay the full cost of a healthcare service, and your insurance company sends you a check later to pay you back for some or all of the cost you covered. This method is more common with out-of-network providers. To find out about any reimbursement options, contact your insurance provider directly. 

You may seedifferent costs depending on your therapist's availability. For example, they might offer 45-minute sessions or late hours. In addition, you might be able to pay a small fee for an extra session each week. How frequently you have sessions with your therapist can affect the weekly cost. 

“Out-of-pocket costs” are what you have topay for a healthcare visit (on top of your monthly premiums). This can mean a co-pay, coinsurance, or some other form of plan contributions, or it could be the remaining cost of the service after the insurance company pays a portion.

For mental health care with in-network providers, some plans will cover some or all of the cost, depending on the service. In general, care is more likely to be covered if:

• You have a diagnosable mental health condition
• You need individual care, as services like couples therapy or family therapy are rarely covered

Check with your insurance company for details on requirements and what your specific plan may cover.

Factors that could affect the cost of BetterHelp for subscription users

For non-insurance users, the price you pay for BetterHelp can vary based on outside factors, including the following.

Where you live

BetterHelp therapists are independent providers licensed and certified in their respective US states. Where you and your therapist are located can affect the cost of therapy. For example, the demand for therapists may be higher in urban areas on the West Coast, and those therapists might have a higher subscription cost, while Midwestern therapists may be cheaper.

Whether you qualify for financial aid or discounts

BetterHelp offers financial aid to individuals who meet the criteria. If you qualify, financial aid can offset the cost of your monthly payments.

If you want to know whether you might qualify for financial aid, contact the BetterHelp Customer Service team at contact@betterhelp.com or take the onboarding quiz.

Paying for BetterHelp without insurance

If you don’t have insurance or your plan doesn’t cover BetterHelp, there are other ways to pay, like:

• HSA/FSA. BetterHelp is HSA-eligible and FSA-eligible in many cases.
• Financial aid. BetterHelp offers financial aid to eligible users. Discover whether you qualify for financial aid on BetterHelp by filling out the onboarding questionnaire.

Even without insurance, an HSA/FSA, or financial aid, BetterHelp’s subscription model can still be an affordable way to receive care. Costs for the subscription-based platform range from $70–$100 per week (depending on location, referral source, discounts, and therapist availability), billed weekly or every four weeks. In-person therapy can range from $100–$350 a session without insurance, so BetterHelp can be a cost-effective option.

What to consider when choosing how to pay

Finding a therapist who is a good match and can address the life challenges you’re facing (depression symptoms, relationship challenges, etc.) may help improve therapy outcomes and long-term well-being. Finding a provider who suits your budget can also be crucial. 

When choosing how to pay for therapy, you might consider several factors that can affect the cost of care, like:

• How often you attend sessions
• The credentials of your provider (highly specialized providers tend to charge more)
• The type of service (e.g., individual adult, teen, or couples therapy)
• The therapy approach your provider uses

With in-person therapy, any of these factors can affect the cost of services by hundreds of dollars. With BetterHelp’s subscription program, transparent pricing means that users can expect to pay between $70–$100 per week, regardless of the type of provider or type of therapy they’re receiving. Subscription pricing is based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply.

BetterHelp counselors, social workers, and psychologists may use various evidence-based approaches to individual therapy, including but not limited to:

• Client-centered therapy
• Trauma-focused therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Is BetterHelp worth it? 

BetterHelp aims to offer comprehensive services that match the depth and efficacy of traditional in-person therapy. While the therapists cannot diagnose you with a mental illness or prescribe medication, they are licensed providers who are well-equipped to listen, offer tools, and guide you through the healing process. BetterHelp therapists can help address a wide range of mental health conditions and concerns, including:

• Anger
• Depression
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Relationships
• Parenting
• Grief
• Trauma
• Family dynamics
• Eating disorders
• Substance use disorders 
• Stress
• LGBTQ+ concerns 
• Sleep issues
• Self-esteem

If you are in crisis, or someone you know is in danger, do not use this site. BetterHelp is not an emergency service. You can seek support from one of the following crisis options: 

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ Lifeline): (866)488-7386 
• SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Use): (800)662-4357
• National Eating Disorder Association Helpline:1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST)
• Child Help Hotline: Call 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat feature
•  National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293) 
• Physician Crisis Support Line: Call 1-888-409-0141 if you are a first responder or medical provider experiencing crises related to COVID-19
• Sexual Assault Hotline: Call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673

Community mental health centers and other affordable options for care

You may also be able to find free or low-cost options for care near you—though these are not intended for crisis support. If you’re in crisis and need immediate help, go to your nearest emergency room or call a crisis helpline like 988. Otherwise, you might explore:

• Community mental health centers
• Federally qualified health centers
• Nonprofit mental health resources
• University training clinics

Employment-based care and free resources

In addition, some employers offer employee assistance programs (EAP) or others that may reduce the cost of therapy; check with your employer to find out more. If you’re experiencing unemployment or do not have employer-sponsored insurance or healthcare support, you might connect with:

• Free helplines for mental health support and resource referrals
• Resources for free emotional support via chat, like 7Cups
• Free support groups online or near you
• Medicare or Medicaid resources, depending on eligibility

Keep in mind that free resources may not offer the same level of quality, individualized care, but compassionate support is available in some form—regardless of cost.

If you’re not ready to start therapy or counseling, you can look into other support resources to help you begin your mental health journey. For instance, journaling prompts, mindfulness exercises, and therapy-focused worksheets could help you get in touch with yourself and determine what type of support you might need.

BetterHelp as a cost-effective option for care

On an online platform like BetterHelp, you’ll find therapists who are licensed and experienced. They use evidence-based methods to help clients address mental health symptoms, relationship challenges, and more. Therapy sessions take place virtually, via video, audio, or live chat, making BetterHelp a convenient and accessible option for improving well-being that you can use from anywhere with an internet connection. 

BetterHelp also makes finding a therapist easier, since you can get matched with a licensed mental health professional according to the preferences you share in a quick onboarding questionnaire. You can then connect with your BetterHelp therapist which can be less than the cost of most in-person therapy sessions without insurance. That’s why BetterHelp is an affordable option for many. See the reviews page for client feedback on BetterHelp therapists.

The effectiveness of online therapy through BetterHelp

Research suggests that online therapy can often be as effective as traditional care with in-person mental health professionals. In addition, a recent study on BetterHelp's services found that 72% of clients who used the platform experienced reduced symptoms in 12 weeks. These findings suggest that BetterHelp can often be an effective way to address mental health symptoms and  life challenges.