Therapy with BetterHelp:
Easily Pay with Your HSA/FSA

Yes, you can use your FSA/HSA for therapy. Just enter your FSA (flex savings account) or HSA (health savings account) card at checkout like any other payment method.

To qualify for FSA reimbursement, therapy must be considered a medical treatment, and you may need to submit an FSA claim with supporting documentation, such as a Letter of Medical Necessity. Eligible medical expenses related to mental health can include various treatments, not just therapy sessions.

If you have questions about your FSA plan, need to confirm medical care coverage, or require help with documentation, contact your FSA administrator.

If you do not use your FSA debit card, you may need to submit receipts as part of the FSA/HSA reimbursement process to claim your mental healthcare benefits.

Yes, BetterHelp is recognized as an eligible HSA/FSA expense by most providers. Using your FSA or HSA card for BetterHelp can help you manage out-of-pocket health expenses related to mental healthcare services.. By using FSA or HSA funds for mental health related services, you can save money on your overall therapy expenses. FSA and HSA plans may also cover prescription medications, over the counter medications, vision expenses, psychiatric care, and psychotherapy to treat mental health conditions, though these services are not available through BetterHelp. Please note, marriage counseling and family counseling are usually not qualified medical expenses covered by a flexible spending account, unless they are deemed medically necessary for the treatment of a diagnosed mental health condition. For a deeper breakdown on FSA/HSA eligibility, read our guide on How to Use Your FSA for Therapy and Mental Health Care.

If your FSA/HSA contributions don't cover the full cost, you can split payment between your HSA/FSA card and another payment method.

Yes, most FSA funds expire at the end of the year. Make sure to account for any unused funds before they run out.

We are working with select insurance carriers to join their networks. Some therapists on BetterHelp now accept insurance (state-limited). Until then, our flexible subscription model continues to make therapy accessible and affordable.

BetterHelp currently accepts HSA/FSA cards and is recognized as an eligible expense by most FSA/HSA account providers.

Financial aid from BetterHelp

Financial aid/assistance is a program BetterHelp offers to help members with their membership fees. The financial assistance program is NOT a loan, it is merely a discount to help members without sufficient funds afford their membership. If you don't currently have a financial aid discount, you can apply for one using this link: http://www.betterhelp.com/financialaid. Please note that you'll need to create a BetterHelp account before you can fill out the application to see if you meet the eligibility requirements. If you need any additional assistance, feel free to reach out to our Member Success team.

In addition to online therapy, there are many other resources available to support your mental health journey. Community mental health centers, support groups, and educational institutions often provide free or low-cost mental health therapy services, making them an affordable option for those without insurance or with high deductible health plans. Many employers also offer health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs), which can be used to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, including online counseling services with BetterHelp.

If your FSA/HSA provider does not cover the type of therapy that you’d like to receive, you can also check with your health insurance about getting reimbursed for your therapy sessions. Learn more about reimbursement here: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/can-i-pay-for-telehealth-therapy-with-insurance/

For individuals facing mental illness or experiencing a mental health condition, knowing how to access these resources and understanding your insurance coverage can make a significant difference in getting the help you need. Exploring all available options, from support groups to financial aid, can help you find the right path to better mental health.

Online therapy, also known as teletherapy, has transformed the way people access mental health services. With the growth of online therapy platforms, individuals can now connect with licensed mental health professionals from virtually anywhere, making it more convenient and accessible than ever before. This approach is especially beneficial for those who may have difficulty attending in-person sessions due to location, mobility challenges, or busy schedules. As online counseling services become more popular, it's important to understand your mental health coverage and how different insurance plans may apply.

Many online therapy platforms provide talk therapy, which involves verbal sessions with licensed therapists to address various mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorder (formerly substance abuse), and more.

BetterHelp is a subscription based platform that may offer flexible payment options, including the ability to use FSA or HSA funds, and is currently working with select insurance carriers to join their networks. Some therapists on BetterHelp now accept insurance (state-limited). By exploring your payment options and understanding your insurance, you can make informed choices about your out of pocket costs and find the support that fits your needs. BetterHelp online therapy offers accessible mental health support from licensed professionals, making it easy to get help from anywhere online. If you have an FSA, you may be able to use those funds for eligible therapy expenses - just be sure to use them before they expire. In addition to therapy, FSA and HSA funds can often be used for OTC items from the HSA store, as well as certain medically necessary services.

You can use various forms of communication with online therapy, including:

• Exchanging messages with your therapist
• Chatting live with your therapist
• Speaking over the phone with your therapist
• Video conferencing with your therapist

You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience. Learn more about online therapy.

The professionals who work through BetterHelp are licensed and credentialed therapists who were certified by their state's board to provide therapy. However, while the service may have similar benefits, it's not capable of substituting for traditional face-to-face therapy in every case. Please note that your provider won't be able to make any official diagnosis, to fulfill any court order or prescribe medication for a medical condition. Only a psychiatrist, who is a trained medical doctor, or a licensed physician can prescribe mental health medications.

Research consistently shows that a strong alliance between therapist and client is associated with several positive therapeutic outcomes, including:

• Clients with a healthy relationship with their therapist are more likely to experience positive changes and achieve their treatment goals.
• Clients who feel connected and supported by their therapist are more likely to remain in therapy and complete their treatment plan.

This depends on your needs and varies a lot from one person to another. Some people feel they get most of the value after just a few weeks, while others prefer to stick to the program for an extended period of time. This is completely up to you.

When it comes to Medicare, insurance coverage for online therapy services can be limited. Traditional Medicare typically does not cover therapy sessions provided by online therapy platforms like BetterHelp. However, some Medicare Advantage plans may include coverage for online therapy, so it's important to review your specific insurance plan details to understand what mental health services are included. If your plan does not cover online therapy, BetterHelp may offer financial assistance. Understanding the details of your health insurance plan and the potential out-of-pocket costs can help you make informed decisions about your mental health treatment. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), therapy can qualify as a reimbursable medical expense if it’s considered necessary for the treatment of a diagnosed condition, but you should always check with your insurance provider and the online therapy platform to clarify what is covered before starting therapy. For example, you may need a note from your healthcare provider explaining how therapy supports your overall treatment plan for mental health. Those who need to attend in-person appointments may be eligible for FSA reimbursement if transportation and care transportation costs are medically necessary.

To learn more about how therapists treat your confidential information, please see Will my therapist treat what I say as confidential?.

The information that you share is also protected by data privacy laws, for more information see our Privacy Policy. Here are some things that might be helpful to know:

• We have built state-of-the-art technology, operations, and infrastructure with the goal of protecting your privacy and safeguarding the information you provide
• You can always select the "Remove Message" button to remove messages that you've sent to your therapist.
• All the messages between you and your therapist are secured and encrypted by banking-grade 256-bit encryption.
• Our servers are distributed across multiple Tier 4- AWS Data Centers for optimal security and protection.
• Our Platform is HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year (r2) Certified.
• Our browsing encryption system (SSL) follows modern best practices.
• Our databases are encrypted and scrambled so they essentially become useless in the unlikely event that they are stolen or compromised.

If you wish for any of your information or records to be released to a third party, please let your therapist know so that they can facilitate the release.

BetterHelp features a robust network of over 30,000 licensed mental health professionals. The therapists on the BetterHelp platform bring expertise in areas such as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and more. Whether you're seeking individual therapy, couples counseling, or support for teens, BetterHelp's diverse therapist network can help you find a provider who understands your unique situation. With over a decade of experience in online mental health care, BetterHelp continues to innovate how people can access professional support.