How to Add Insurance to BetterHelp: A Step-By-Step Guide 

Wondering how you can receive online therapy from BetterHelp’s team of licensed mental health professionals? While BetterHelp offers affordable therapy options, it’s important to note that they do not accept insurance. But don’t fret – there’s still hope! Users may still be able to use their insurance to pay for their service. In this article, we will walk you through the process on how to add insurance to BetterHelp and determine your eligibility for insurance coverage. 

Understanding BetterHelp’s insurance policy is the first step to adding insurance to your account. Despite not accepting insurance directly, the platform does provide users with a superbill, which is a document that includes all the necessary information for insurance reimbursement. The superbill can be submitted to the insurance company for reimbursement and the user can receive a portion of the cost of therapy back.

Determining eligibility for insurance coverage is the next step. Insurance coverage for online therapy varies by provider and plan. Users should check with their insurance provider to see if online therapy is covered and what the reimbursement rate is. If online therapy is not covered, users may want to consider alternative payment options.

Understanding BetterHelp’s Insurance Policy

BetterHelp offers flexible and affordable therapy sessions to clients, but it does not directly accept insurance. According to Medical News Today, BetterHelp notes that online therapy may be considered a qualified medical expense through many Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) programs. Clients with an HSA may be able to contact the manager or bank that oversees the program to find out whether their plan covers the cost of online therapy.

Without medical insurance, therapy sessions can add up to $400-$800 per month. Due to cost barriers, many individuals find BetterHelp’s pricing more affordable than other therapy options. If a client requires a lower rate due to financial barriers, they can contact BetterHelp’s customer service team or let them know on the form when they sign up. BetterHelp may be able to work with the client to find a solution.

Determining Eligibility for Insurance Coverage

Adding insurance to BetterHelp can help make therapy more affordable for clients. However, not all insurance plans cover online therapy. Therefore, it is important to determine eligibility for insurance coverage before adding insurance to BetterHelp.

The first step in determining eligibility is to contact the insurance provider and ask if they cover online therapy. Some insurance providers may cover online therapy, while others may only cover in-person therapy. It’s important to ask about the specific coverage details such as co-pays, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

Also be sure to check if the therapist is in-network with the insurance provider. In-network therapists have a contract with the insurance provider and have agreed to accept the insurance company’s payment rates. Out-of-network therapists may charge higher rates and may require clients to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement.

Clients should also check if the insurance provider requires a referral from a primary care physician or a pre-authorization for therapy services. Some insurance plans may require a referral or pre-authorization before covering therapy services.

Steps to Add Insurance to Your BetterHelp Account

If you have insurance and want to use it to pay for your BetterHelp therapy sessions, you can easily add your insurance information to your account. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Access Your Account Settings

First, log in to your BetterHelp account and navigate to your account settings. You can access your account settings by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen and selecting “Account Settings” from the dropdown menu.

2. Navigate to Billing Information

Once you are in your account settings, scroll down to the “Billing Information” section. Here, you will see the option to add your insurance information.

3. Enter Your Insurance Details

Click on the “Add Insurance” button and enter your insurance details such as your insurance provider, policy number and group number. If you are not sure where to find this information, you can directly contact your insurance provider or check your insurance card.

4. Submit Your Insurance Information

After you have entered your insurance information, click the “Submit” button to save your changes. BetterHelp will then verify your insurance information and let you know if your insurance is accepted and what your copay will be.

Once your insurance information is added to your account, BetterHelp will automatically apply your insurance benefits to your therapy sessions. You will only be responsible for paying any copay or deductible that your insurance requires.

Verification Process of Insurance

Adding insurance to BetterHelp can be a straightforward process Once a therapist has gathered the necessary paperwork, they can apply to be on the insurance panels. The required documentation includes an up-to-date license in the state the therapist is practicing in.

After the therapist submits their application, the insurance company will review it to ensure that the therapist meets their requirements. This process can take several weeks, so it’s important to be patient. If there are any issues with the application, the insurance company will contact the therapist to address them.

It’s worth noting that not all insurance companies cover online therapy. However, BetterHelp accepts many types of health insurance including major insurance plans such as Cigna and United Healthcare. Therapists can also check the list of insurance plans that BetterHelp accepts on their website.

If a client has insurance coverage, they can submit a claim to their insurance company after each session. BetterHelp provides clients with a receipt that they can use to submit a claim. The client will need to check with their insurance company to find out how much of the session cost will be covered.

Managing Insurance Information

BetterHelp does not accept insurance directly, but some insurance companies may reimburse clients for the cost of therapy sessions. Clients are responsible for checking with their insurance provider to determine if they are eligible for reimbursement.

Updating Insurance Details

If a client is eligible for reimbursement, they can update their insurance information on their BetterHelp account. To do so, they can follow these steps:

1. Log in to their BetterHelp account.
2. Click on the “Settings” tab.
3. Click on “Billing.”
4. Click on “Edit” next to the insurance section.
5. Enter the updated insurance information.
6. Click “Save.”

Clients need to ensure the accuracy of their insurance information. If the information is incorrect, the insurance company may reject the claim.

Handling Insurance Rejections

If a client’s insurance claim is rejected, they can contact BetterHelp’s customer support team for assistance. The team can provide clients with a superbill, which is a detailed receipt of their therapy sessions. Clients can submit the superbill to their insurance company for reimbursement.

Take note that not all insurance companies reimburse for online therapy sessions. Clients should check with their insurance provider before beginning therapy to determine if they are eligible for reimbursement.

Alternative Payment Options if Insurance Is Not Accepted

If insurance is not accepted by BetterHelp, there are still alternative payment options available for users. Here are some of the most common options:

Out-of-Pocket Payment

If you receive therapy sessions from BetterHelp, you have the option to pay out-of-pocket through credit card or Paypal. The online therapy platform offers a range of subscription plans, which vary in price depending on the length of the subscription and the frequency of sessions. 

Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

BetterHelp offers the option to use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for therapy sessions. According to BetterHelp, online therapy is considered a qualified medical expense through many HSA and FSA programs. Users should check with their HSA or FSA provider to confirm eligibility and coverage.

Sliding Scale Fees

Some therapists may offer sliding scale fees based on income. This means that the cost of therapy sessions is adjusted based on the user’s ability to pay. Users can search for therapists who offer sliding scale fees on the BetterHelp website.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Some employers offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as part of their benefits package. EAPs typically provide short-term counseling services to employees and their families. Users should check with their employer to see if they have an EAP and if it covers online therapy services.

If your insurance is not accepted by BetterHelp, you may take the time to explore these alternative payment options. Once you find the payment method that best works for you, then you may continue to receive the mental health support you need. For additional information, don’t hesitate to contact BetterHelp’s customer service team for any questions or concerns. Otherwise, you may visit their FAQs page for quick answers to common questions. 

Frequently Asked Questions