I have Cigna insurance through my job and an EAP. Does BH accept either of those as payment?

Some therapists on BetterHelp now accept Cigna insurance, but your eligibility for insurance coverage depends on your insurance plan and the state you live in. You can reach out to your insurance provider for clarification. When you sign up for BetterHelp, you’ll also be asked a few questions that help us check your coverage and let you know if your insurance might cover online therapy.

After doing some digging, the EAP is addressed through my counselor’s guide. Below is the BetterHelp response to the EAP process:

"An EAP (Employee Assistance Program) is an employee benefit program that assists employees and members of their immediate household with personal problems and/or work-related issues that may impact their job performance, health, mental and emotional well-being. BetterHelp is a subcontracted provider to companies across the US which provide services to EAPs. EAPs generally offer:

• Confidential assessments
• Short-term counseling with a pre-set number of sessions on a per-issue basis, and is based on what the employer has contracted with the EAP to provide
• No cost to the employee or household member, as these services are fully pre-paid by their employer. Members can choose to continue working with you past their allotted sessions by paying out of pocket
• Financial, legal, and caregiving (child, adult) consultation by professionals in these areas of expertise

Do's and Don'ts
As part of the services BetterHelp provides to these members as part of their EAP coverage, the following clinical services are strictly prohibited and NOT part of what is expected to be provided. Please do not provide the following services, even if an EAP member requests you to do so:

• Custody evaluations
• Psychological assessment or psychological testing
• Court-ordered treatment
• Worker's compensation evaluation
• Disability evaluation

If an EAP member requests your assistance with any of these above-mentioned evaluations, please encourage them to contact their health plan or redirect them to contact their EAP provider’s toll-free number. NOTE: The compensation structure is the same to you regardless of whether your client is from an EAP or from another source on BetterHelp."

I know that there are restrictions from your employer (it is different from employer to employer) on the number of sessions that can be received so you will have to consult your HR person or insurance to see what their restrictions are before signing up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What insurance plans are accepted by BetterHelp?

Many therapists on BetterHelp accept insurance from major carriers, which include Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and several state-specific Blue Cross Blue Shield plans such as Anthem, CareFirst, and Highmark. Coverage varies by state and provider availability. 

How can I find out if my insurance covers therapy?

To find out if your insurance covers therapy, you can check with your insurance carrier. Start by calling the customer service phone number on your insurance card. You’ll probably need to provide your policy details. To find out exactly what coverage is available, ask specific questions about your mental health benefits such as:

• Your estimated copay
• Session limits
• What coverage is available for therapy sessions
• Whether your preferred therapist is in-network

What kinds of therapy are typically covered by insurance?

Insurance usually covers individual therapy, online therapy, family and couples counseling (when it’s deemed medically necessary, and psychiatric services including medication management. Please note that providers on BetterHelp are unable to prescribe medications.