A rise in the hustle culture has led to an increase in mental health issues. People are looking for online therapy platforms. One useful resource for connecting people with therapists for therapy and counseling is BetterHelp.
Although BetterHelp is an affordable platform, many people still cannot afford that fee. This is why many people opt for insurance. But some people have this question when it comes to therapy at BetterHelp- does BetterHelp take Insurance? Let’s find out. This article will give you an insight into this question.
We will provide clarity in terms of payment options and reimbursement methods. This will allow you to make an informed decision related to your mental health. But first, it is important for you to understand BetterHelp.
BetterHelp and Insurance Coverage
One of the first e-therapy platforms, BetterHelp, was established in 2013. It is a well-known global website that seeks to offer you easily available and reasonably priced mental health treatments online.
BetterHelp offers treatment through live chat, video calls, and audio conversations. All of their therapists hold valid licenses and accreditations as psychologists.
But the question arises – Why do you need insurance coverage for such services? In these times when inflation is at an all-time high, some people might not be able to afford the already discounted price. Having BetterHelp therapy insurance helps in such a case.
Does BetterHelp Accept Insurance?
BetterHelp does not take insurance, even through Medicare and Medicaid. You should check with your insurance company. If they have covered you, you can give them the bill for the sessions and request reimbursement.
The BetterHelp insurance coverage depends on the insurance provider and their policies. If your insurance company does not cover your therapy cost, do not worry. BetterHelp isn’t going to leave your therapy journey midway. The weekly therapy sessions are affordable, even if they are not insured.
How to Check if BetterHelp Accepts Your Insurance
To check out if BetterHelp accepts your insurance, you follow the steps below:
Step 1: Visit BetterHelp Website:
Go to the official BetterHelp website at www.betterhelp.com
Step 2: Signing up Process
You can either click on the ‘Get Started’ or ‘Sign Up’ button to access information on insurance coverage.
Step 3: Basic Information:
At this stage, you will be given a form. You will be asked to provide your name, age, and email address information. Later in the form, you would mention your presenting problem or the initial symptom for which you’re seeking therapy. You must mention the presenting problem to get a problem-specific therapist for yourself.
Step 4: Payment Plan:
Once you’ve filled in the information on the form, the next step will be selecting your preferred payment plan. You can select the monthly billing option, as BetterHelp is a monthly service. This bill is not directly given to the insurance providers.
Step 5: Contact your Insurance Provider:
Remember that you will need to contact your insurance provider. BetterHelp is not directly associated with the insurance firms. That said, some insurance providers may offer a disbursement for therapy services.
Step 6: Asking Apt Questions:
This is your time to ask your insurance provider these questions:
- Does my insurance plan cover online therapy services?
- Do I need a referral from my physician to receive the reimbursement?
- What is the process for a reimbursement?
If your insurance covers therapy, you’re good to go. However, if you are still struggling with your insurance company, it’s best to reconsider another option. There are many other alternatives to BetterHelp health insurance.
Alternatives to Insurance for BetterHelp
You can also consider some potential alternatives to insurance for your therapy at BetterHelp. Thus, you won’t have to depend on insurance plans or providers for your mental health journey.
Instead, these options can be budget-friendly and flexible. Below are some of the alternatives that you might want to consider:
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Some EAPs provide access to therapy services, so it is advised that you check with your employer if that is the case. This will help you save a significant amount of money.
- Sliding Scale Fee Structure: Sliding scale is one of the most effective and easily accessible ways of therapy. Your rates are adjusted according to your income, and isn’t that something we all need?
- Pro-Bono Cases: Several mental health practitioners offer pro-bono services to some individuals.
BetterHelp Pricing and Payment Options
If you’re wondering how much this will cost, let me break it down for you. Weekly sessions cost around $60 to $90. BetterHelp bills you monthly, so it falls somewhere between $240 and $360.
You will be charged through your credit card or a PayPal account. The first payment is only charged at signing up.
The rest of the payment is charged four weeks later. You can take therapy for as much time as you want. You can cancel your subscription anytime without any extra charges just by clicking a button. Yes, it is that easy.
Pros and Cons of Using Insurance for BetterHelp
When deciding to opt for BetterHelp with insurance, we need to do an analysis.
Pros
- Financial Assistance: When the cost gets covered by insurance, it reduces the financial burden of therapy.
- Consistency: Using insurance enables you to become consistent with your therapy as you will be free of financial stressors.
- Variety of Providers: You can feel at ease with the number of therapists provided under insurance. This helps you choose the best fit for yourself.
Cons
- Diagnosis Required: Some insurance providers require a diagnosis to enable insurance. Sometimes, we go through things that cause us to behave a certain way. The behavior and feeling might be for some time only, but that does not necessarily mean a diagnosis is needed.
- Confidentiality: Confidentiality is the main component of therapy. Insurance, however, limits that as some part of the record might be shared.
- High Deductible: The deductions might sometimes be too high.
Conclusion
BetterHelp is an easy-to-navigate platform. Although affordable, many people want to opt for insurance due to financial issues. Opting for insurance at BetterHelp is made effortless for people planning on taking therapy from BetterHelp.
While BetterHelp does not directly accept insurance, we hope this article illuminated pathways to exploring insurance coverage. So if you still have this question- is BetterHelp covered by Insurance? You can alleviate the financial burden by asking your insurance provider.
Ultimately, you will be able to make an informed decision tailored to your preferences. This will help you find the best-suited approach for your mental health journey.