The Fast Facts
- BetterHelp teletherapy has recently enabled insurance coverage for more affordable mental health care in several states.
- BetterHelp takes some insurance providers, FSA/HSA payments, and cash pay in addition to financial aid.
- The platform has more than 35,000 licensed therapists to find your ideal match, based on customizable nuanced filters.
BetterHelp is a subscription service that provides users with access to online counseling. Also called teletherapy, online counseling can help you put your mental health first from the comfort and privacy of your home.
You can talk with a psychologist, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional counselor. You can schedule online counseling sessions around your workday, family obligations, and social life.
BetterHelp counselors have experience treating a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges, among others.
BetterHelp is now covered by insurance in a growing number of states, but it doesn’t take Medicare or Medicaid. This online counseling service offers a flexible monthly package that covers several sessions and ways to talk with your counselor (chat, video, phone).
Presently, in-network insurance plans for BetterHelp include:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- AvMed
- CareFirst BCBS
- Cigna
- Florida Blue
- GEHA
- Optum
- Oscar
- UnitedHealthcare
- UMR
After an insurance eligibility check and before payment, BetterHelp will ask for your specific insurance information and if your state is among those where providers coverage has been rolled out, you’ll see an estimate copay before starting therapy.
Copays are around $23 per session and can be free to the insured.
BetterHelp cash pay operates on a subscription model. This means your fee covers multiple sessions and other communication with your counselor.
The cash pay fee ranges from $70 to $100 per week and is billed monthly. You’ll be charged between $240 and $320 per month, payable via a credit card or PayPal. You can also use a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) card.
BetterHelp allows you to change counselors for any reason or cancel your subscription at any time.
The subscription includes the ability to text your counselor at any time and have one live weekly video or phone call session with your counselor.
BetterHelp financial aid
BetterHelp also offers flexible pricing plans that are comparable with the copays of many insurance plans, but they may not be affordable for everyone.
Financial aid is available. BetterHelp will ask you to fill out a short survey about your employment status and monthly income to check your eligibility. You may have to submit your income tax return or other documentation to show your financial status.
To find out more information, it’s best to call billing and customer service directly.
What to do if you’re in crisis
To talk with someone right now, try calling one of the following 24/7 crisis lines:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline: Call 800-662-4357.
- Samaritans Crisis Hotline: Call 212-673-3000.
- YouthLine: Call 877-968-8491.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-7233.
Text-based options are also available. These include:
Crisis Text Line (from the United States and Canada, text “HOME” to 741741)
It takes courage to reach out for help. If you want to seek help but you’re not sure where to start, you can also contact your doctor or another healthcare professional.
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself or someone else, call 911 or local emergency services or go directly to your nearest emergency room.
Yes. You can use HSA or FSA funds to cover therapy costs with BetterHelp.
If you’re paying out of pocket, therapy with BetterHelp may be more affordable, ranging from $70 to $100 per week. Talkspace’s starting price ranges from $69 to $129, depending on the package.
However, both BetterHelp and Talkspace do take some insurance plans, $23 on average per session for BetterHelp and under $30 per session which may make it the more affordable option for people using insurance.
No, BetterHelp does not take Medicaid.
BetterHelp is an online, subscription-based therapy service that now accepts several insurance carriers in increasingly more states. It’s one of many therapy options you can access online. It also offers financial assistance.
If you’re looking to use health insurance, check with your insurance company on coverage first, so you’ll be aware of the costs.