Insurance and Coverage
Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy?
Yes, many insurance plans cover online therapy, including Medicare. The coverage depends on your specific plan, your therapist's credentials, and how the session is delivered. This guide explains what is covered, what to check, and how to avoid unexpected costs.
Check My Medicare CoverageMedicare
Medicare covers online therapy permanently.
Medicare Part B covers telehealth mental health services, including phone and video therapy sessions from home. Following federal legislation expanding telehealth access, this coverage is permanent and is not restricted to rural areas. After meeting your Part B deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount for therapy visits.
Most patients with a Medicare Advantage or Medigap supplement plan pay $0 per session. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, mental health telehealth coverage includes individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric evaluation.
Private insurance
How private insurance handles online therapy.
Most major private insurance plans (Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana) cover online therapy at the same rate as in-person therapy, thanks to telehealth parity laws enacted in most states. Your copay or coinsurance for an online therapy session is typically the same as for an in-person visit.
Key factors that determine coverage: whether the therapist is in-network, whether the service type (e.g., psychotherapy) is covered under your plan, and whether you have met your deductible for the year.
How to check your coverage
Three steps before your first session.
1. Call the member services number on your insurance card. Ask specifically: "Does my plan cover outpatient mental health telehealth? What is my copay or coinsurance? Do I need a referral?"
2. Verify the therapist is in-network. Out-of-network therapy can still be covered but usually at a higher cost to you. Platforms like Total Life only include in-network, Medicare-enrolled providers.
3. Ask about your deductible status. If you have not met your annual deductible, you may pay the full session cost until you do.
Total Life handles this for you: we verify your Medicare or insurance coverage before your first session. Check your coverage now.
What is not covered
When insurance does not pay.
Insurance typically does not cover coaching services, wellness apps, or support groups that are not led by a licensed mental health professional. To be covered, therapy must be provided by a licensed clinician (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PhD, PsyD, or MD/DO for psychiatry) who is enrolled with your insurance or Medicare.
Most Total Life patients pay $0 out of pocket.
Covered by Medicare. Licensed therapists who specialize in adults 65+. Matched within 48 hours.
Get StartedCommon questions
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover online therapy in 2024? +
How do I know if my therapist is covered by my insurance? +
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy? +
What if I have both Medicare and Medicaid? +
Total Life is a Medicare provider. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of Medicare or any government agency.