5 Online Therapy Services That Take Insurance In 2023

Talkspace offers a variety of subscription plans, allowing you to find the right amount of mental health support for your needs. The most basic subscription allows you to opt in for text therapy, which includes text, video, and audio messaging. Upgrade to the premium plan to add one 30-minute live therapy session or opt for the ultimate plan to unlock four 30-minute live video appointments. 

While the brand also offers psychiatric care and counseling plans for teens between the ages of 13 and 17, therapy is its most prominent service. The company employs licensed and credentialed therapists, psychiatrists, medical doctors, and couples' therapists who are all required to have at least 3,000 hours of clinical experience. Another perk? The staff also undergoes third-party checks to ensure their licenses are in good standing.

When you're ready to sign on, you'll watch a short intro video and start the intake process. Once you've selected your plan, Talkspace uses your goals and preferences to suggest a therapist, which you can easily swap at any time. The exact response time for conversations varies by practitioner, but the company requires at least one response a day at least five days a week. 

Some customers have reported a few days of lag time between the time they set up their profile and the time they're matched with a therapist (although the company says you should hear from your therapist within 48 hours). 

In addition to taking some Employee Assistant Programs (EPAs), Talkspace also accepts common health insurance plans, such as Optum, Blue Cross, and Cigna. Access the full list here. 

Cost: $316 to $556

If you'd rather conduct your therapy sessions through phone instead of just video chat, MDLive is your best best. The service offers comprehensive medical and mental health services via video chat and works with a wide range of insurance partners, including Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Along with physicians, the 24/7 services employ both board-certified therapists and psychiatrists, allowing them to offer both behavioral health care and medication management. The overall sign-on process is relatively lengthy with in-depth questions about your current needs and family psychiatric history. You'll then receive a list of current providers in your state, which gives you the authority to find the right person. Luckily, it's easy to switch medical practitioners until you find your match—just be warned that wait time before your session will vary drastically by location.

While there are no monthly subscription plans and the initial visit is a little steep, MDLive makes it easy for doctors participating in the service to share records if you need to be connected with another specialist. Trustpilot also gave this service a 4.6 out of 5, which is pretty darn near perfect.

Cost: $284 for first visit, $108 for follow-ups

Doctor on Demand offers a huge range of doctors across specialties, which makes it a great option if you're looking for collaborative care. This more holistic approach provides you with a comprehensive treatment plan that also connects you with nutritionists and internists.

Following this line of personalized care, the virtual services also connect you directly with therapists that specialize in different therapy approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), psychoanalytic psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-focused therapy. Plus, all staff have completed at least a master's degree in their field and are licensed in their respective states. Similar to Talkspace, all medical practitioners also undergo background checks.

Founded by Dr. Phil and his son, the online platform accepts health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, but you'll have to start the registration process to confirm that you're covered.

Cost: $299 for initial visit, follow-ups are $129

Couples' therapy is key to improving your communication as a couple while also creating a deeper understanding in your relationship—but many online couples' therapy services don't accept insurance. Amwell stands out from its competitors by making couples' therapy as accessible as possible and even prioritizes flexibility to ensure both parties feel heard throughout the process.

This means that you can easily swap therapists to find one that best suits you as a couple, especially if you don't love the one you're matched with. One thing you won't need to worry about? All therapists have at least a master's degree, and psychologists have a licensed doctorate. Both parties are also licensed to practice in their states and undergo virtual training on prevention and treatment techniques.

Nearly all of the therapists also offer flexibility in terms of session type and meeting times, which is a particularly great feature for couples. They also offer short-term couples counseling in case you don't want to sign on for the long haul.

Cost: $99 to $110

When dealing with insurance, the fewer plans and services, the better. LiveHealth makes things less complicated by offering services to teens and kids between the ages of 10 and 17, as well as full collaborative care for your physical well-being.

Before the first session, you'll have the choice to select either a licensed therapist or psychiatrist depending on the care needed. The latter will be located in your state, which makes medication management possible but is only available to those above the age of 18. All psychotherapy is done by licensed mental health professionals who can help with issues like stress, depression, grief, and anxiety with services available during the day, night, or weekend.

After the initial visit, all sessions cost $75 before insurance; only Blue Cross Blue Shields offers full coverage, while other insurance plans provide partial coverage of your care.

Cost: $175 for initial visit, $75 for follow-ups