When choosing an online therapy provider, we recommend that you read the company’s privacy guidelines before you sign up to better understand whether it is HIPAA-compliant and whether it shares any private information with third parties. There have been some concerns raised by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several government officials about what user health information online therapy providers collect and what they do with any information they collect.
Psychiatric care can be expensive—up to $200 per session or more out-of-pocket—which is why, even when people need mental health medication, they sometimes do not seek treatment. In fact, in the U.S., 55% of people living with a mental illness do not receive treatment. The good news is that if you have health insurance, you might be able to use those benefits if you find an in-network provider. “Psychiatric services can get expensive when you are paying out-of-pocket, and finding someone who is in network with your plan can offset costs significantly,” says Amy Marschall, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist at Resiliency Mental Health.
That said, it isn’t always easy to find a psychiatrist who takes insurance—even when looking online. According to one study, while about 89% of doctors in other specialties take insurance, only around 55% of psychiatrists do, making the search for psychiatric care that much more difficult. To help you find the very best online psychiatry platforms, we worked with three subject matter experts to evaluate 55 online therapy companies and 27 directories, surveying 100 users at each. We also tried and tested each service ourselves. Here are the ones we recommend that not only accept different insurance plans but also are flexible, inclusive, and family-friendly.
Our Online Therapy Methodology
Curious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at our online therapy methodology.
Compare Our Top Picks
Most Comprehensive
Talkiatry
Most Comprehensive Talkiatry
talkiatry
See Retailer
Most Comprehensive
Depends on your insurance
Yes. BCBS, Optum, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Medicare, and others
Yes
Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry
Video Chat
Best for Depression
Talkspace
Best for Depression Talkspace
talkspace
See Retailer
Best for Depression
$69 per week for asynchronous text-only therapy, billed as a monthly subscription ($99 to $109 per week for subscriptions with live sessions)
Yes
Yes
Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling
Messaging
Best for Anxiety
Brightside
Best for Anxiety Brightside
brightside
See Retailer
Best for Anxiety
$95-$349 per month, billed as a monthly subscription
Yes
Yes
Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling
Messaging, Video Chat
Best for Co-Occurring Conditions
Teladoc Health
Best for Co-Occurring Conditions Teladoc Health
teladoc
See Retailer
Best for Co-Occurring Conditions
Up to $119 per therapy session, $299 for initial psychiatry appointment and $129 per follow-up
Yes
Yes
Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry
Audio, Video Chat
Best for Bipolar Disorder
LiveHealth Online
Best for Bipolar Disorder LiveHealth Online
livehealthonline
See Retailer
Best for Bipolar Disorder
$85-100 per therapy session; $185 or less for an initial psychiatry session; $80 per follow-up
Yes
Yes
Children’s Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling
Video Chat
Best for PTSD
Doctor on Demand
Best for PTSD Doctor on Demand
doctorondemand
See Retailer
Best for PTSD
$129 – $299 per session
Yes
Yes
Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling
Audio, Video Chat
Best for Substance Use
Mindful Care
Best for Substance Use Mindful Care
mindful
See Retailer
Best for Substance Use
$50-$175 for substance use; Individual therapy: $50 for 20-minute sessions, $100 for 40-minute sessions; $35 per group session; $75-$175 for psychiatry session
Yes
No
Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling
Audio, Video Chat
Best for OCD
LifeStance Health
Best for OCD LifeStance Health
lifestance
See Retailer
Best for OCD
Varies by insurance
Yes
Yes
Children’s Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling
Video Chat
Full Review
Guide to Choosing the Best Online Psychiatry That Takes Insurance
Are Online Psychiatry Services Right for for You?
Online psychiatry can help children, teens, and adults with mental health conditions control or diminish their symptoms using psychotropic medication. “Psychiatry is an important component of mental health treatment for many,” says Dr. Marschall. “Psychiatric appointments are typically shorter than therapy sessions and focus on medication management.”
People who are experiencing difficulties with stress, anxiety, grief, anger, or trouble focusing may benefit from seeing an online psychiatrist. If you face barriers to psychiatric care, such as a busy schedule or financial stress, telepsychiatry might be right for you, especially if you need to use insurance to pay for care.
What If I’m Having Thoughts of Harming Myself?
If you are in severe distress or are having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, online psychiatry is not the right option for you. Instead, call the U.S. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
The following resources may also help you or someone you know:
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 or reach out via chat or on WhatsApp to talk with a volunteer crisis counselor.
- The Trevor Project: Young LGBTQ people can call, chat, or text with a trained crisis counselor.
- FindTreatment.gov: Find behavioral health and substance abuse treatment centers in your area with this database compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Online Psychiatry?
Online psychiatry refers to psychiatric care and/or medication management services delivered virtually, typically via video. Your provider may be a board-certified psychiatrist or another licensed prescriber, such as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. They may prescribe medication, which can be delivered to your home or a local pharmacy.
Is Online Psychiatry That Takes Insurance Effective?
Research suggests that online psychiatry can be helpful for people with a wide variety of mental health conditions. For example, telepsychiatry has been found to be effective in treating selected patients with depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Also, studies suggest that online psychiatry can be effective for geriatric (older) patients as well as children and teens facing mental health concerns.
What Are the Benefits of Online Psychiatry That Takes Insurance?
There is evidence that online psychiatry can help to overcome many barriers to mental health care. These barriers may include:
- High costs
- Physical inaccessibility
- Mental health stigma
- Transportation difficulties
- Living in a remote area
- Communication differences
- Busy schedules
What Is the Cost of Online Psychiatry That Takes Insurance?
The cost of online psychiatry varies widely by insurance provider, the type of healthcare provider you’re seeing, and your location. With some Medicare plans, for example, you’ll be expected to pay 20% of the costs of each visit. Without insurance, an initial psychiatry consultation may cost $300 to $500 per visit, followed by $100 to $200 per hour for every follow-up visit.
With insurance, your copayment will vary, but may be in the range of $20 to $40 per visit.
Can Online Psychiatrists Prescribe Controlled Substances?
Yes, qualified online psychiatrists can prescribe controlled substances to treat medical conditions, including mental health conditions. However, not all online mental health platforms allow their providers to prescribe controlled medications, so availability may be limited.
Examples of controlled substances used to treat mental health conditions include:
- Hypnotics, such as Ambien (zolpidem)
- Stimulants, such as Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) and Ritalin (methylphenidate)
- Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan (lorazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam)
What Should You Expect From Online Psychiatry?
An online psychiatry session works similarly to a face-to-face session with a psychiatric care provider. Usually, you’ll sign in through a secure online portal and meet with your provider at an appointed time via video. Your psychiatrist may ask you about your current symptoms, your medical history, and any medications you’re taking, as well as what you’d like to get out of your session.
Methodology
To compile this list, we researched, evaluated, and tested 55 different online therapy and psychiatry companies, specifically focusing on which companies offered psychiatric services as well as which accepted insurance. We further evaluated these companies based on specialty (treatment for specific mental health concerns or specific demographics), the number of insurance plans accepted, availability (number of states), flexibility in scheduling, which medications can be prescribed (such as controlled substances for anxiety or ADHD), and the type of provider available.
