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I. OverviewAccess to online therapy depends on your insurance coverage and location. Most insurance companies cover online therapy services, but many require video for therapy. Also, if your insurance does not cover online therapy, there are other options, such as free therapy sites. Online therapy offers an innovative way to connect with a licensed therapist from your own home conveniently. It provides accessibility if you:
Today, many states require insurance providers to cover online mental health therapy the same as traditional therapy sessions. There are plenty of options for online therapy that accept insurance or offer self-pay rates that may work with your budget. II. Can I use health insurance for online therapy?Until recently, it was not possible to use health insurance for virtual therapy visits. Now, many online therapy platforms and mental health professionals are seeing clients virtually, and many accept insurance. A phone call to your insurance company is a great starting point to see which resources are available to you. Your therapist can send you intake paperwork and ensure that the therapy is covered before the first session. III. How do I find out if my insurance covers online therapy?The best place to start is the website of the therapy provider, which may indicate which insurance companies the provider works with. Another option is to call your insurance company to determine if telehealth visits are covered and what the copayments are. Below are some of the major insurance companies and their current policies regarding telehealth:
According to apaservices.org, the following states have a telehealth mandate in place, and all telehealth services are billed the same way as face-to-face services: IV. Can I use Medicaid or Medicare for online therapy?Medicare telehealth visits include office visits, psychotherapy, consultation, and other medical or health services offered by a provider located elsewhere using 2-way real-time audio and video technology. Most Medicare and Medicaid plans cover telehealth, but coverage varies by state and plan. According to the Center for Connected Health Policy, Medicaid covers online therapy in each state except for Iowa. It’s still a good idea to call and confirm online therapy is covered through your specific plan before connecting with an online therapist. V. How do I find online therapy or a therapist who offers online therapy sessions?There are several ways to find online therapy or a therapist who offers online sessions.
VI. Are there free online therapy options?There are several free online therapy options. However, use caution when seeking free online therapy, as the platforms are often more of a peer support model than trained therapy. Trained online therapists may be available at an additional cost.
VII. Are there other affordable options if my insurance doesn’t cover online therapy?Many different online therapy websites offer a monthly plan or bundle that is affordable when not using insurance. You might choose to avoid using insurance benefits for therapy if you have a high deductible or the copay is close to the cost of the therapy session. Another consideration is that most therapists have spots in their schedule for sliding scale fee clients. For example, if their typical fee is $100 per session, they may slide their fee down to $60 depending on the situation. See below for a list of quality, affordable online therapy options:
There are also specialized websites such as Faithful Counseling, Teen Counseling, and Pride Counseling. LCSW Caitlin Kingston is a licensed clinical social worker at Yale New Haven Hospital and has worked in the field since 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Penn State University and her Master of Social Work, clinical/medical social work in 2020 from Fordham University. Her licenses and certifications include LCSW, LMSW, and CASAC. Kingston has always had a passion for helping others and knew early on that she wanted to support others in her profession. During her undergraduate studies at Penn State, she met a social worker who inspired her to pursue a career as a therapist. She’s also trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with the New York School for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Kingston completed internships working in an after-school program with underprivileged youth and their families and with inmates in the high-security sector of Rikers Island jail. Kingston’s career has included work at a drug treatment center, where she became the supervisor of intake and assessment for individuals with alcohol and substance use disorders. Today, she’s a social worker in the Psychiatric Observation Unit of the emergency department. Kingston is also trained in perinatal mental health with a focus on helping new mothers adjust to motherhood, especially in these very difficult times of isolation. LCSW Caitlin Kingston is a licensed clinical social worker at Yale New Haven Hospital and has worked in the field since 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Penn State University and her Master of Social Work, clinical/medical social work in 2020 from Fordham University. Her licenses and certifications include LCSW, LMSW, and CASAC. Kingston has always had a passion for helping others and knew early on that she wanted to support others in her profession. During her undergraduate studies at Penn State, she met a social worker who inspired her to pursue a career as a therapist. She’s also trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with the New York School for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Kingston completed internships working in an after-school program with underprivileged youth and their families and with inmates in the high-security sector of Rikers Island jail. Kingston’s career has included work at a drug treatment center, where she became the supervisor of intake and assessment for individuals with alcohol and substance use disorders. Today, she’s a social worker in the Psychiatric Observation Unit of the emergency department. Kingston is also trained in perinatal mental health with a focus on helping new mothers adjust to motherhood, especially in these very difficult times of isolation. VIII. SourcesIs BetterHelp or Talkspace covered by insurance?Most health insurance plans will not cover BetterHelp costs. By contrast, some insurance companies may cover Talkspace expenses for around 40 million Americans. Cigna, Humana, and a few other major insurers will cover the costs of Talkspace.
Can I talk to a mental health professional online free?Luckily, telehealth is available to help individuals without resources get the support they need. Many websites and apps offer free online therapy chat. Online therapy chat allows you to attend therapy sessions via chat room, text, or webcam with a licensed professional in the privacy of your own home.
What is the best telehealth for mental health?Six in 10 Americans say they would use telehealth services for mental health care, according to the American Psychiatric Association.. Best Online Therapy of 2022.. BetterHelp.. Talkspace.. Cerebral.. LiveHealth Online.. Amwell.. MDLive.. eTherapyPro.. Does Talkspace prescribe medication?What kind of prescribers are on the Talkspace psychiatry network? The Talkspace psychiatry network includes licensed psychiatrists and nurse practitioners who specialize in psychiatry and can prescribe mental health medications.
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