The Best Online Therapy Platforms that Take Insurance
Last updated on July 14, 2026Looking for an online therapy service that takes your insurance? HelpGuide researched 52 platforms and tested the top ones. Here's what we recommend.
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HelpGuide’s reviews of the best online therapy platforms that take insurance
Using insurance to pay for online therapy can substantially lower the cost of mental health care. But with so many different platforms offering therapy services, it can be difficult to know which will accept your insurance plan while also providing the best levels of care.
To help you find the service that’s right for you, HelpGuide’s editorial staff analyzed 52 online therapy platforms that take insurance and scored them on 104 data points, such as copay range, extra features, security, and care quality. We narrowed that list down to the 10 platforms that scored highest, and then one or more of our staff members personally tested each platform for at least one month. We also surveyed over 900 real users about their personal experiences, such as how they felt about each platform’s usability, pricing, customer support, and provider quality.
We found that:
- Copays for online therapy typically cost the same as in-person therapy, from $0 to $50 depending on your plan, your deductible, and whether the platform is in-network.
- Live video sessions offer the closest experience to traditional, in-person therapy.
- The success of therapy depends on you finding a skilled therapist you are comfortable with.
Quick summary of the best online therapy services that accept insurance
In the end, our top picks for therapy platforms that take insurance were:
Grow Therapy ranked the highest, impressing our hands-on testers and receiving praise from the users we surveyed.
| Platform | Key Feature | Average copay | Accept Medicaid/Medicare? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grow Therapy | Pay per session; many provider specialties | $0-21 | Both |
| Talkspace | Quick insurance check, hour-long appointments | $15-30 | Medicare |
| Brightside Health | Focuses on depression and anxiety, short appointment wait times | $0-30 | Both |
| Thriveworks | Browse providers before signing up | $0-55 | Medicare |
| MD Live | Accepts major insurance plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid | $0-30 | Both |
Best online therapy platforms that accept insurance according to our testing results
Grow Therapy
| Grow Therapy summary: | Pay-per-session model, 125+ insurance plans accepted |
| Average copay: | $0-21 |
| Insurance plans accepted include: | Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, Optum, Others |
| Medicare/Medicaid accepted? | Medicare and Medicaid (availability varies by state) |
| Therapy types: | Individual, couples, family, teen, child |
| Session formats: | Video, audio, and text messaging |
| Time to first session with therapist: | 1-2 days |
| Psychiatry services: | Yes |
Tested by: Chris Saranchock, Managing Editor
Platform overview
- Sessions typically run 45 to 60 minutes
- Large nationwide network of therapists and prescribers
- Accepts major insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare
Grow Therapy is an online platform available in all 50 US states. Instead of charging users a subscription fee, the platform uses a pay-per-session model. In other words, you only pay for the sessions you book. In the U.S., Grow Therapy accepts over 125 accepted insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare, as well as Medicaid and Medicare in many states. If your provider isn’t in-network with your plan, you can request a superbill from your provider to submit for potential reimbursement.
Why we recommend Grow Therapy
Grow Therapy offers a quick way to start online therapy sessions. We were given multiple therapist matches to choose from immediately after completing several intake questions.
What really stands out about Grow Therapy is how many options it provides users. Its network is significantly larger than Talkspace’s and includes in-person providers. In addition, all the providers accept insurance. The platform also allows users to select from a wider range of therapist specialties, including phobias, family therapy, personality disorders, career counseling, ADHD, and mood disorders. This all increases the odds you’ll find the right therapist or psychiatrist for you.
Pros and cons of Grow Therapy
Pros
- Quick intake process that took less than five minutes
- Network of over 26,000 providers—all accept insurance
- Pay-per-session model instead of monthly subscription
- About 84 percent of users were satisfied with their first match
Cons
- Without insurance, typical out-of-pocket costs can be expensive
- Some surveyed users reported multiple tech issues, including app crashes and freezing
- No automatic therapist matching; you select from a filtered list
Bottom Line
Because of the size and breadth of their network, Grow Therapy is an excellent choice if you’re hoping to find a therapist who specializes in a very particular issue. The platform can also potentially connect you with a provider who is in your local area and open to a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. We were impressed by the quality of their providers, with both our in-house tester and the users we surveyed giving their therapists high marks.
Our total score
Based on expert testing and real user feedback
4.7/5
Insurance approval process
Grow Therapy’s sign-up takes under 20 minutes for most people (72 percent). Here’s how it works:
1
Enter location, needs, and insurance provider into the search page
2
Select a provider from the filtered list
3
Complete sign-up and intake
User experience: What real users and testers found
Survey and tester insights
We surveyed 100 Grow Therapy users across the United States and had one of our in-house staff test Grow therapy.
Survey highlights
- Overall satisfaction: 81/100
- Value for cost: 79/100
- Empathy rating: 80/100
- Privacy and security rating: 80/100
- Platform navigation rating: 84/100
“They give you an amazing selection of tools to help you.”
Survey respondent
In our survey of Grow Therapy users:
- About 85 percent used insurance.
- Of those, 71 percent thought it was somewhat easy, easy, or very easy to submit their insurance details.
- 34 percent received financial aid or discounted pricing.
- 86 percent would use the platform again.
HelpGuide tester highlights:
Overall satisfaction:
Value for cost:
Empathy rating:
Privacy and security rating:
Platform navigation rating:
“If you need online therapy this is a good platform. Everything was clear and the therapists were empathetic and wanted to help you.”
Chris Saranchock, Director of Operations & Multimedia
Talkspace
| Talkspace summary: | Quick insurance check, hour-long appointments, quality providers |
| Average copay: | $15-30 |
| Insurance plans accepted include: | Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Optum, Regence, TRICARE, Blue Cross Blue Shield |
| Medicare/Medicaid accepted? | Medicare |
| Therapy types: | Individual |
| Session formats: | Video, audio, and text messaging |
| Time to first session with therapist: | 1-3 days |
| Psychiatry services: | Yes |
Tested by: Lawrence Robinson, Managing Editor
Platform overview
- Sessions can range from 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Large network of therapists and psychiatrists
- Accepts major insurance plans
Talkspace is one of the larger online therapy platforms that accepts insurance, with licensed clinicians available all across the United States. The platform is also available in other countries, such as Canada and the UK, although insurance requirements may differ. In the U.S., Talkspace accepts insurance from major providers such as Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Optum, Regence, TRICARE, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. It also accepts Medicare (parts B and C) along with some employee assistance programs (EAPs). If your insurance plan isn’t listed, you may still be able to use Talkspace as an out-of-network provider.
Why we recommend Talkspace
When testing the platform, we appreciated that we could check our insurance coverage without first creating a Talkspace account. Some services make you sign up before you even know if your plan is accepted and what your copay would be, which makes comparison shopping much more time-consuming. But Talkspace allowed us to enter insurance details without an account—and then instantly told us we were covered and our copay would be $15 per session. Most of our survey respondents had an equally seamless experience when submitting their insurance details, with only 14 percent of insurance users rating it as anything less than easy.
After signing up, we were matched within eight hours and booked the first therapy appointment within two days. This was reflected in our survey of Talkspace users: 65 percent scheduled their first appointment within three days and 90 percent within six days.
Pros and cons of Talkspace
Pros
- Allows you to check your insurance coverage without an account
- Large network of about 6,000 providers
- 83 percent of surveyed users were satisfied with first therapist
Cons
- Without insurance, the self-pay costs for psychiatry on the platform can be high
- Doesn’t offer financial aid for out-of-pocket payers
- Sessions may be limited to 30 minutes, depending on provider or coverage
Bottom Line
Being able to check your insurance coverage without having to first sign-up means Talkspace is always worth exploring when shopping around for the best online therapy platform that takes insurance. When you’re struggling with a mental health issue and desperate to talk to someone, the waiting game can be hard, so you might also appreciate how quickly Talkspace is able to schedule most users.
Our total score
Based on expert testing and real user feedback
4.5/5
Insurance approval process
Talkspace’s sign-up takes 10 – 20 minutes for most people (80 percent), but getting your insurance approved can take just moments. Here’s how it works:
1
Enter insurance details (no need to create an account).
2
Receive approval within minutes, along with insurance copay, if any.
3
Create an account and begin the sign-up process.
User experience: What real users and testers found
Survey and tester insights
We surveyed 100 Talkspace users across the United States and had one of our in-house staff test Talkspace. In our survey results we found that Talkspace scored well on user satisfaction and the quality of therapy. Users described the platform as professional, informative and helpful, reliable and trustworthy, and a great experience overall.
Survey highlights
- Overall satisfaction: 88/100
- Value for cost: 82/100
- Empathy rating: 82/100
- Privacy and security rating: 87/100
- Platform navigation rating: 89/100
“This was the first therapist I actually trusted and would recommend.”
Survey respondent
“I just needed an outlet to get some of the wilder thoughts out of my head and understand who I truly was.”
Survey respondent
In our survey of Talkspace users:
- 80 percent used insurance.
- Of those, nearly 84 percent thought it was somewhat easy, easy, or very easy to submit their insurance details.
- 23 percent received financial aid or discounted pricing.
- 86 percent would use the platform again.
HelpGuide tester highlights:
Overall satisfaction:
Value for cost:
Empathy rating:
Privacy and security rating:
Platform navigation rating:
“I could verify therapy would be covered by insurance before having to create an account, which I really appreciated.”
Lawrence Robinson, Managing Editor
“Instantly told me what my copay would be ($15).”
Lawrence Robinson, Managing Editor
Brightside Health
| Brightside Health summary: | Focuses on depression and anxiety, short appointment wait times |
| Average copay: | $0-30 |
| Insurance plans accepted include: | Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, Ambetter |
| Medicare/Medicaid accepted? | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Therapy types: | Individual, teen |
| Session formats: | Video and messaging |
| Time to first session with therapist: | 1-2 days |
| Psychiatry services: | Yes |
Tested by: Joseph Collerain, Production Coordinator
Tested by: Lawrence Robinson, Managing Editor
Platform overview
- Specializes in depression and anxiety
- Accepts major insurance plans and Medicaid and Medicare
- Same- and next-day appointments available
Brightside Health is an online therapy platform specializing in depression and anxiety, as well as related disorders such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and insomnia. The service is available in all 50 states and Washington D.C. and accepts major insurance plans such as Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, and Ambetter. It also accepts some Medicare and Medicaid plans.
Why we recommend Brightside Health
Brightside’s website allows you to see which insurance coverage plans are accepted in your state, although you’ll need to create an account to confirm your specific plan covers care and what your copay will be for each session. If your insurance doesn’t cover you on Brightside, the service can provide you with an itemized bill to send to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
74 percent of our surveyed Brightside Health users paid for their therapy on the platform using insurance and nearly half of them had no copay. During our hands-on testing, we were able to have our insurance coverage and copay per session confirmed very quickly. Our survey respondents had a similar experience with more than three-quarters (82 percent) of those using insurance rating the simplicity of submitting their plan information on Brightside somewhere between “somewhat easy” and “very easy.”
Pros and cons of Brightside Health
Pros
- Quick coverage and copay confirmation
- 17 percent of surveyed users were able to make a same-day appointment
- Even without insurance, therapy is affordable at $75 per live session
Cons
- Lack of upfront information about the providers
- We experienced video glitches and surveyed users reported similar tech issues
Bottom Line
If you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, or a related disorder and covered by insurance or Medicare, Brightside Health could be a solid choice. However, you’ll need to create an account to see your copay and confirm your coverage. And you’ll need to book an appointment to see any provider information beyond their name and qualifications.
Our total score
Based on expert testing and real user feedback
4.3/5
Insurance approval process
Brightside’s sign-up takes under 20 minutes for most people (83 percent), but you can’t check if your insurance will be accepted without creating an account and taking a mental health assessment first. Here’s how it works:
1
Enter name and zip code.
2
Complete sign-up and mental health assessment.
3
Enter insurance details.
User experience: What real users and testers found
Survey and tester insights
We surveyed over 100 Brightside Health users across the United States and had two of our in-house staff test the platform. In our survey results we found that Brightside’s strengths included value for money and compassionate therapists. Users described Brightside as a platform that has your back and is professional, convenient, and very efficient.
Survey highlights
- Overall satisfaction: 85/100
- Value for cost: 81/100
- Empathy rating: 79/100
- Privacy and security rating: 78/100
- Platform navigation rating: 79/100
“My experience with this platform was very positive.”
Survey respondent
“I worked through all the personal struggles and problems I was having.”
Survey respondent
In our survey of Brightside Health users:
- 74 percent used insurance.
- Of those, 82 percent thought it was somewhat easy, easy, or very easy to submit their insurance details.
- 24 percent received financial aid or discounted pricing.
- 86 percent would use the platform again.
HelpGuide tester highlights:
Overall satisfaction:
Value for cost:
Empathy rating:
Privacy and security rating:
Platform navigation rating:
“Very good experience, the platform was easy to navigate and the therapists were knowledgeable and goal driven.”
Joseph Collerain, Production Coordinator
“Easy to get insurance approved.”
Lawrence Robinson, Managing Editor
Thriveworks
| Thriveworks summary: | Browse providers before creating an account, high user satisfaction |
| Average copay: | $0-55 |
| Insurance plans accepted include: | Blue Cross, Optum, United, Aetna, Cigna, and Humana |
| Medicare/Medicaid accepted? | Medicare |
| Therapy types: | Individual, couples, teen, family |
| Session formats: | Video |
| Time to first session with therapist: | 1-3 days |
| Psychiatry services: | Yes |
Tested by: Chris Saranchock, Director of Operations & Multimedia
Platform overview
- Limited therapist options
- Accepts major insurance plans
- Let’s you browse available providers before sign-up
Thriveworks offers individual therapy for adults and teens, couples counseling, family therapy, and psychiatry services in the District of Columbia and every state except for Vermont. Thriveworks accepts many major insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Anthem, Optum, United, Aetna, Cigna, and Humana. It also accepts Medicare (but not Medicaid).
Why we recommend Thriveworks
One aspect of the platform that we appreciated most was being able to browse providers and their upcoming appointment availability before having to create an account. If your insurance is listed in the drop-down menu, this can be a quick and convenient way to see if there is a suitable therapist with upcoming availability who accepts your plan.
Another key benefit is that the copay tends to be low. Your insurance copay could be as low as $0 to $55, making Thriveworks much more affordable and worthy of consideration for those with insurance.
Pros and cons of Thriveworks
Pros
- Low copay (as low as $0 to $55)
- Browse providers and appointment times before signup
- 90 percent of respondents were satisfied with their therapists
Cons
- Limited selection of therapists and slow matching
- High out-of-pocket prices ($200 to $240 for first therapy session)
Bottom Line
Thriveworks doesn’t offer as wide a selection of therapists as other platforms. However, you can search available providers—and view upcoming appointment times— without having to create an account first.
Our total score
Based on expert testing and real user feedback
4.1/5
Insurance approval process
Thrivework’s sign-up takes under 20 minutes for most people (77 percent), and you’re able to browse providers before having to create an account. Here’s how it works:
1
Select insurance provider and location to browse available therapists.
2
If you wish to proceed, create an account.
3
Book appointment.
4
Enter insurance health plan and subscriber ID.
User experience: What real users and testers found
Survey and tester insights
We surveyed 100 Thriveworks users across the United States and had one of our in-house staff test the platform. In our survey results we found that most users (74 percent) felt Thriveworks compared favorably to in-person therapy and 80 percent reported the platform had helped them make good or very good progress towards their goals. Users described the platform as a good experience, very satisfying, and extremely positive.
Survey highlights
- Overall satisfaction: 89/100
- Value for cost: 81/100
- Empathy rating: 86/100
- Privacy and security rating: 88/100
- Platform navigation rating: 90/100
“I’ve had a great experience, I like my therapist, and my life has improved.”
Survey respondent
“It was a smooth, easy, and effortless sign-up at a time when I didn’t feel like doing anything and I appreciated that.”
Survey respondent
In our survey of Thriveworks users:
- 78 percent used insurance.
- 65 percent thought it was easy or very easy to submit their insurance details.
- 26 percent received financial aid or discounted pricing.
- 85 percent would use the platform again.
HelpGuide tester highlights:
Overall satisfaction:
Value for cost:
Empathy rating:
Privacy and security rating:
Platform navigation rating:
“My therapist gave good tips and I felt like we had a much better back and forth.”
Chris Saranchock, Director of Operations & Multimedia
“I wish they offered more providers and insurance options.”
Chris Saranchock, Director of Operations & Multimedia
MD Live
| MD Live summary: | Solid privacy protocols, accepts major insurance plans as well as some Medicare and Medicaid plans |
| Average copay: | $0-30 |
| Insurance plans accepted include: | Cigna, Humana, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna |
| Medicare/Medicaid accepted? | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Therapy types: | Individual |
| Session formats: | Video, audio |
| Time to first session with therapist: | 1-3 days |
| Psychiatry services: | Yes |
Tested by: Joseph Collerain, Production Coordinator
Platform overview
- Quick and straightforward signup
- Select from a listing of providers
- Nationwide coverage and high-quality providers
MD Live is a telehealth platform that offers medical care such as urgent care, primary care, dermatology, and mental health care (both therapy and psychiatry) across the United States. The platform accepts major health insurance plans such as Cigna, Humana, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Aetna, although it may not accept all plans from these companies. It also accepts some Medicare and Medicaid plans.
Why we recommend MD Live
We feel comfortable recommending MD Live due to its nationwide coverage, acceptance of major insurance plans, and, most importantly, the quality of therapists available on the platform. It’s also useful if you want to get started quickly. We found the signup process to be straightforward. After creating an account, we set our location and insurance provider, then answered some very basic intake questions about mood and health history. We would’ve liked to have seen more in-depth questioning but we, like 36 percent of our survey respondents, completed the signup process in less than 10 minutes (79 percent of users completed it within 20 minutes).
Pros and cons of MD Live
Pros
- 79 percent of surveyed therapy users completed signup in 20 minutes or less
- Accepts many major insurance plans and Medicaid and Medicare
- Flexible appointment times, including weekends and evenings
Cons
- No algorithm to match users to therapists
- Some providers don’t have appointment times displayed
- Inability to message providers between sessions
Bottom Line
Being unable to message therapists between sessions means this platform is not right for everyone. However, there’s still plenty to recommend about MD Live if you have insurance, including quality of care.
Our total score
Based on expert testing and real user feedback
4.0/5
Insurance approval process
MD Live’s sign-up takes under 20 minutes for most people (79 percent). You’ll need to create an account in order to check your insurance will be accepted. Here’s how it works:
1
Create account: Name, email, password, date of birth.
2
Enter insurance details.
3
If accepted, complete signup.
User experience: What real users and testers found
Survey and tester insights
We surveyed 100 MD Live users across the United States and had one of our in-house staff test the platform. In our survey results and hands-on testing we found that the platform rated highly for therapist quality, but we would’ve liked to have been able to message between sessions. Users described the platform as a very good service, an easy and enjoyable experience, and one that served its purpose.
Survey highlights
- Overall satisfaction: 83/100
- Value for cost: 78/100
- Empathy rating: 78/100
- Privacy and security rating: 88/100
- Platform navigation rating: 88/100
“My therapist is the best and always there for me.”
Survey respondent
“It has been great, it feels like talking to a friend that really understands and wants to help.”
Survey respondent
In our survey of MD Live users:
- 76 percent used insurance.
- Of those, nearly 77 percent thought it was somewhat easy, easy, or very easy to submit their insurance details.
- 23 percent received financial aid or discounted pricing.
- 78 percent would use the platform again.
HelpGuide tester highlights:
Overall satisfaction:
Value for cost:
Empathy rating:
Privacy and security rating:
Platform navigation rating:
“My therapist was great, the intake session was the most relaxed I have done so far.”
Joseph Collerain, Production Coordinator
“I had no trouble booking appointments, but was slightly frustrated that I could not message providers in between sessions.”
Joseph Collerain, Production Coordinator
Other online therapy platforms to consider
We tested a lot of online therapy platforms that we were unable to endorse. However, in addition to the above picks, the following platforms may be a good choice for certain users.
BetterHelp
When we first tested BetterHelp, the online therapy platform wasn’t accepting insurance. Despite that major drawback, the platform was still the overall top-rated therapy platform, according to our hands-on testing and user surveys. It stood out for its extensive provider network, extra features, and user-friendliness.
The platform is now enabling insurance coverage through certain in-network providers. However, currently, not all plans are available in all states, and our team hasn’t had a chance to retest the platform while using insurance. For those reasons, we’ve yet to include it in the recommendations above, but still recognize that it might be an excellent option for some users.
Coverage and benefits will vary by provider, plan, and state. Users can verify insurance coverage eligibility directly on the platform’s website.
Amwell
Amwell partners with different health care plans and employers to provide telehealth platforms that allow you to consult with medical providers, including online therapists and psychiatrists. Amwell works with a number of different insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Anthem, and UnitedHealthCare, along with both Medicare and Medicaid. When you create an account with one of these plans, the chances are you’ll be redirected to the insurance company’s branded site. Anthem, for example, uses Amwell’s software for its LiveHealth Online platform. If you pay out of pocket, you’ll remain on the Amwell site.
Since your choice of providers can vary so much depending on your insurance provider, Amwell didn’t quite make it as one of our top picks. However, depending on your insurance plan, it could still be the right choice for some users.
We thought of it as a “no frills” platform, simple to use but lacking many of the extra features offered by competing platforms. Like an online directory, instead of being matched with a therapist, you get to choose your provider from a list.
LiveHealth Online
LiveHealth Online is a telehealth service offering both medical and mental health care across the U.S. Since it is owned by Anthem, Inc., it accepts most Anthem medical health plans, such as Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Your co-pay may vary according to your plan, but it’s likely to be the same as an in-office co-pay.
When testing, we weren’t able to search for a therapist by gender, race, or qualifications, which some users may find very restrictive. We also struggled to book a timely follow-up appointment, the only time slot available being three weeks away. Finally, other platforms are covered by a wider selection of health plans. However, LiveHealth may still be a convenient option if you have an Anthem health plan.
Doctor on Demand
Telehealth service Doctor on Demand accepts health insurance plans from many different providers to cover the cost of individual, couples, and teen therapy. Since out-of-pocket costs are expensive ($184 for a 50-minute session), it’s no surprise that 82 percent of our surveyed users of Doctor on Demand users used their health benefits to pay for therapy. Only 17 percent thought that submitting their insurance information on the platform was hard.
During our hands-on testing, we found the platform to be difficult to navigate and use. In addition, the platform doesn’t allow you to message your provider between sessions and customer support was slow to respond to our issues.
Cerebral
Cerebral is a subscription-based platform offering individual and couples therapy, as well as medication management. The platform accepts a number of major insurance plans, such as Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Optum, and UnitedHealthcare. Once you’ve created an account on the site, it’s a simple process to check if you’re covered and find out what your co-pay will be.
During our hands-on testing, we ran into some issues, including “therapist” matches that were actually “associates” working under the supervision of a fully-qualified therapist. We felt that Cerebral could have been more transparent about this. As it is, Cerebral charges the same fee whether you see a licensed or unlicensed therapist. We had to contact customer service in order to have our matches upgraded to fully-licensed therapists.
How we tested and ranked online therapy platforms that take insurance
HelpGuide’s editors, writers, and support staff spent hundreds of hours over three months gathering data on 52 online therapy services that take insurance, conducting user surveys, and personally testing 10 platforms for at least one month each. We also consulted with mental health experts on our Professional Advisory Council about what to look for and the pitfalls to avoid in assessing online therapy platforms, including those that accept insurance.
Data research and comparative analysis
We gathered and analyzed data on 52 reputable online therapy platforms that take insurance (as well as some online therapist “directories”). The HelpGuide team’s analysis included 104 data points, including aspects such as pricing models, cancellation policies, platform certifications, and HIPAA compliance. This helped us identify the online therapy services that offered both the best value for money and safest user experience.
Once we had accumulated and compared all the data, we then set about hand-testing the online therapy platforms with the highest ratings.
Professional feedback
HelpGuide is supported by many different types of mental health professionals. We consulted with licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists to help inform our evaluation criteria and how we scored platforms for things like therapist quality, overall care, and ethical standards. We used the input of these mental health professionals to ensure that our reviews truly reflect the issues that matter in a therapeutic setting, such as emotional safety, professional integrity, and clinical effectiveness.
User surveys
We spent months extensively surveying over 900 real online therapy users who paid using insurance. We quizzed them on issues such as their experiences using insurance or paying out-of-pocket on a platform, how empathetic and helpful they found their therapists, how easy to use the platform was, how protected they felt their private information was, and their overall satisfaction.
This detailed user feedback helped us develop an online therapy scoring methodology and ensure our recommendations were appropriate for a diverse group of users.
Hands-on testing
At least one HelpGuide staff member hands-on tested each of our nine highest-rated platforms that accept insurance for four weeks to get a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks. HelpGuide staff experienced each platform as regular users, without disclosing what we were doing or who we worked for.
As we tested each platform, our staff members kept weekly journals recording their experiences and completed in-depth questionnaires to help us accurately compare and contrast different online therapy platforms. We then compared our experiences to the users we surveyed.
Expert review criteria
Therapist quality and matching accuracy
Pricing and value for money
Session types and communication options
Ease of use and platform navigation
Insurance coverage and payment options
Privacy and security
Customer service experience
Read our full testing methodology.
Our research, user surveys, and hands-on testing led us to conclude that Talkspace was the best online therapy platform that takes insurance. Talkspace ranked high in our review of the overall best online therapy platforms, thanks to its effective therapist-matching system, quality providers, and extra features. On this list, it stands out for accepting a wide range of insurance plans and allowing users to instantly check their coverage without signing up.
Of course, Talkspace may not be for everyone. Maybe you find a more affordable copay on a different platform, or perhaps you simply prefer using another app for therapy. Don’t hesitate to explore the other options we’ve mentioned above. You just might find a better match.
Choosing the right online therapy platform that takes insurance
While many insurance companies in the U.S. now cover online therapy, the number and types of limits can vary wildly according to your plan, so it’s important to first check your coverage to avoid any expensive surprises.
You can visit your insurance company’s website or call the number on the back of your card to verify your coverage, copay, and any remaining deductible. Your insurance company should also be able to provide a list of therapists in your network, some of whom may offer online therapy.
If you prefer to use an online therapy platform that accepts insurance, you’ll want to check:
- It takes your plan. Even if a platform accepts your insurance, you want to be sure that your specific plan is covered and how much your copay will be.
- You’re covered for the type of therapy you’re looking for. Some insurance plans cover individual therapy, for example, but not group therapy or couples counselling, unless one or both of you have a diagnosable mental health condition.
- Your deductible. Some plans have a deductible that you need to meet before your insurance will start to cover online therapy.
- The number of sessions covered. Some plans may only cover a specific number of online therapy sessions per year.
- If you need prior authorization. Depending on the type of insurance you have, you may first need a referral from your primary care doctor or prior authorization from your insurance carrier before starting therapy.
- How to submit claims. If you use an online therapy provider that’s out-of-network, you may be able to submit a claim and get reimbursed for some of your outlay. Understand the steps you need to take, the documentation you need to submit to make a claim, and how much you’re entitled to get reimbursed.
- Costs not covered by insurance. Some platforms charge membership or subscription fees, for example, or there may be other surprise charges that aren’t covered by insurance.
- If a platform accepts Medicare or Medicaid. While Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, and some Medicaid plans cover online therapy, not all online therapy platforms accept Medicare or Medicaid.
If your insurance doesn’t cover online therapy
Some insurance plans only cover in-person therapy, in which case your insurance company can provide you with a list of in-network providers.
If your plan doesn’t cover any type of therapy, you haven’t reached your deductible, or you’re struggling to afford insurance copays, you may be able to find lower-cost care. Some platforms offer affordable self-pay costs, others offer financial aid to lower-income users, or first-month discounts. You can read our recommendations in our guide to the Best Online Therapy Platforms.
You may also be able to find affordable therapy from these sources:
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) offers a directory of health centers that offer free or low-cost mental health care.
- Colleges and universities often offer counseling services—online or in-person—via the psychology department.
- If your company offers an employee assistance program (EAP), it can include free online or in-person therapy trials or other types of support.
- Some private practice therapists, online or in-person, offer sliding scale payments that vary according to your income.
- Other online therapy services offer reduced rates by connecting you with trained volunteers rather than professional therapists.
- You can call, text, or email the NAMI HelpLine for free emotional support from trained volunteers.
- Mental Health America (MHA) offers additional information on how to find and pay for care.
Online therapy in underserved populations
The following services offer therapists who cater to specific groups. Since they are directories, each therapist sets their own pricing structure, including which insurance plans they accept.
National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network provides a directory of mental health practitioners with a focus on the queer and trans people of color (QTPoC) community.
Therapy for Black Girls offers resources for women of color.
Therapy for Black Men lists therapists catering to Black men and boys.
Additional mental health resources
More Information
References
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Hilty, D. M., Ferrer, D. C., Parish, M. B., Johnston, B., Callahan, E. J., & Yellowlees, P. M. (2013). The Effectiveness of Telemental Health: A 2013 Review. Telemedicine Journal and E-Health, 19(6), 444–454.Link
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Nordgren, L. B., Hedman, E., Etienne, J., Bodin, J., Kadowaki, Å., Eriksson, S., Lindkvist, E., Andersson, G., & Carlbring, P. (2014). Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of individually tailored Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety disorders in a primary care population: A randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 59, 1–11.Link
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“Licensing across State Lines | Telehealth.HHS.Gov.” Accessed June 3, 2025.Link
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Rights (OCR), Office for Civil. “Telehealth Privacy and Security Tips for Patients.” Page, October 17, 2023.Link
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Lustgarten, Samuel D, Yunkyoung L Garrison, Morgan T Sinnard, and Anthony WP Flynn. “Digital Privacy in Mental Healthcare: Current Issues and Recommendations for Technology Use.” Current Opinion in Psychology 36 (December 2020): 25–31.Link
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Waite, Mindy R., Sara Diab, and James Adefisoye. “Virtual Behavioral Health Treatment Satisfaction and Outcomes Across Time.” Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews 9, no. 3 (July 18, 2022): 158–65.Link
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Zhu, Jane M, Aine Huntington, Simon Haeder, Courtney Wolk, and K John McConnell. “Insurance Acceptance and Cash Pay Rates for Psychotherapy in the US.” Health Affairs Scholar 2, no. 9 (September 9, 2024): qxae110.Link
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Benson, Nicole M., and Zirui Song. “Prices and Cost-Sharing In-Network vs. Out-of-Network for Behavioral Health, 2007-2017.” Health Affairs (Project Hope) 39, no. 7 (July 2020): 1210–18.Link
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