Online Therapy by Insurance: Aetna, Cigna, UHC and More

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Most people start with the same question: does this app take my insurance? The honest answer is usually “it depends on your plan.” A platform can work with your insurer and still not cover your specific plan, your state, or the kind of care you want. This guide checks each pairing against the platform’s own insurance pages and help center, insurer by insurer, so you know where to start. Then it shows you how to confirm the details yourself.

One rule applies to every section below: coverage varies by state and plan. A platform listing your insurer is a good sign, not a guarantee. Before your first session, confirm with your insurer and with the platform that your specific plan is in network and what you will pay.

Coverage at a glance

Insurer	Talkspace	BetterHelp	Rula	Headway	Alma	SonderMind
Aetna	Yes	Select plans and states	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cigna	Yes	Select plans	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
UnitedHealthcare / Optum	Yes, through Optum	Select plans and states	Yes	Yes	Yes	UnitedHealthcare yes; ask about Optum
Blue Cross Blue Shield / Anthem	Certain plans	Select plans and states	Most plans	Select states	Select states	Yes, plan by plan
Humana	Not listed	Not listed	Medicare Advantage listed	Medicare Advantage listed	Not in its insurance program	Yes
Medicare	Original and some Medicare Advantage	No	Original and many Medicare Advantage	Select Medicare Advantage only	Limited	Original and Medicare Advantage
Medicaid	No	No	Select plans in many states	Select managed care plans	No standalone Medicaid	No
TRICARE	East and West	No	West	Not listed	Not in its insurance program	West

“Yes” means the platform names that insurer on its own website or help center. It does not mean every plan from that insurer is covered, or that every therapist on the platform takes it. “Not listed” means we could not find that insurer on the platform’s own site, so check with the platform before assuming either way.

How these platforms use your insurance

The six platforms work in two different ways, and that affects what your insurance pays for.

Subscriptions (Talkspace and BetterHelp). Talkspace bills your insurance for its therapy and psychiatry services, and depending on your plan, that can include messaging as well as live sessions. BetterHelp says that when you use insurance, messaging between sessions is not included, and some features, such as chat-based sessions and groups, may be limited or unavailable.

Per-session networks (Rula, Headway, Alma, and SonderMind). You book scheduled sessions with a licensed clinician, and the platform bills your insurance after each one. You pay your plan’s copay, coinsurance, or deductible amount, with no subscription.

Aetna

All six platforms work with Aetna, though BetterHelp limits it to select plans in select states. Aetna’s Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans follow different rules, so if you have one of those, see the Medicare and Medicaid sections below.

Talkspace: accepts Aetna for therapy and psychiatry. Talkspace says the average Aetna member copay is $15 a session; yours depends on your plan.

BetterHelp: in network with select Aetna plans in the states listed on its insurance page. BetterHelp says the average copay for Aetna members is $21 a session, and some pay $0.

Rula: accepts Aetna, and its plan list also includes Aetna Medicare Advantage.

Headway: its providers accept Aetna.

Alma: participates with Aetna and several plans administered through Aetna, such as Meritain. Its help center says it does not include Aetna Medicare and Medicaid plans or a short list of other Aetna-related plans.

SonderMind: lists Aetna as an in-network plan, with an average copay of $25 a session across SonderMind clients, by its own figures.

Coverage varies by state and plan, so confirm with Aetna and with the platform before you book.

Cigna

Cigna is widely accepted: all six platforms list it, and BetterHelp offers select Cigna plans nationwide.

Talkspace: accepts Cigna for therapy and psychiatry.

BetterHelp: in network with select Cigna plans in all 50 states and Washington, DC. BetterHelp says the average copay for Cigna members is $26 a session, and some pay $0.

Rula: accepts Cigna, and also lists Cigna EAP benefits.

Headway: its providers accept Cigna, and Headway also accepts Cigna EAP benefits.

Alma: participates with Cigna and a list of plans administered through Cigna. Its help center names a few Cigna-related plans it does not include, so check yours.

SonderMind: lists Cigna as an in-network plan.

Coverage varies by state and plan, so confirm with Cigna and with the platform before you book.

UnitedHealthcare (including Optum)

If you have UnitedHealthcare, look for Optum too. Several platforms list UnitedHealthcare plans under Optum: Talkspace’s Optum coverage page is where you check UnitedHealthcare, UMR, and Surest plans, and Alma’s help center groups UnitedHealthcare, Oxford, and UMR under Optum.

Talkspace: accepts Optum for therapy and psychiatry, and its Optum plan selector includes UnitedHealthcare and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage. Talkspace says the average Optum member copay is $15 a session.

BetterHelp: in network with select UnitedHealthcare plans in most states, and lists Optum among its in-network plans. BetterHelp says the average copay for UnitedHealthcare members is $25 a session, and some pay $0.

Rula: accepts UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and UMR, and lists UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.

Headway: its providers accept UnitedHealthcare, Oxford, and all Optum affiliates. Headway also accepts Optum and UnitedHealthcare EAP benefits.

Alma: participates with UnitedHealthcare and the other plans it groups under Optum, including Oxford, Oscar, UMR, and Surest.

SonderMind: lists UnitedHealthcare as an in-network plan. Its site does not name Optum, so if your card says Optum, ask SonderMind.

Coverage varies by state and plan, so confirm with UnitedHealthcare or Optum and with the platform before you book.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (including Anthem)

Blue Cross Blue Shield is not one company. It is made up of separate regional companies, including Anthem, Florida Blue, Highmark, and CareFirst, and each one has its own contracts. That is why BCBS coverage varies so much from state to state. Check which BCBS company issues your card before you compare platforms.

Talkspace: in network with certain Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and accepts Anthem. Talkspace says the average member copay is $15 a session for both, and it recommends confirming coverage with your specific plan.

BetterHelp: in network with select Anthem plans in 12 states (CA, CO, CT, GA, IN, KY, ME, MO, NH, NY, OH, and VA), select plans from other BCBS companies in 20 states, and select CareFirst and Highmark plans. BetterHelp says the average copay is $21 a session for Blue Cross Blue Shield members and $20 for Anthem members.

Rula: accepts Anthem and most Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plans. Its list includes plans such as Florida Blue, Independence Blue Cross, Highmark, CareFirst, Premera Blue Cross, Regence, and the BCBS Federal Employee Program.

Headway: its providers accept Blue Cross and Blue Shield in select states, including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Alma: participates with Anthem BCBS in 12 states (CO, CT, IN, KY, ME, MO, NV, NY, NH, OH, VA, and WI) and with BCBS plans in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas. Its site also lists Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and the BCBS Federal Employee Program among its insurance partners. Alma notes that some BCBS plans manage mental health benefits through Carelon Behavioral Health, so if your card mentions Carelon, you may be able to use those benefits.

SonderMind: lists Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Blue Cross Blue Shield among the plans it accepts, and its plans vary by state.

Where you are matters too. For telehealth, the state you are in during the session counts. Alma says that with BCBS of Illinois, Michigan, or Texas, you must be in that state to see a BCBS-credentialed Alma provider. And since July 1, 2026, Headway checks your location when you schedule: if your therapist is not credentialed in the state where you are, the session is out of network.

Coverage varies by state and plan, so confirm with your BCBS company and with the platform before you book.

Humana

Humana is the insurer with the fewest options among these six platforms. One point of confusion first: Humana Military, which runs TRICARE in the East Region, is separate from Humana’s own health plans. If you have TRICARE, skip to the TRICARE section.

Talkspace: does not list Humana’s health plans. Its Humana Military page is for TRICARE East members. Check with Talkspace.

BetterHelp: does not list Humana on its insurance page. Check with BetterHelp.

Rula: its plan list includes Humana Medicare Advantage. We could not find Humana’s other plans on Rula’s site, so check with Rula.

Headway: its insurance search includes Humana Medicare Advantage, in line with the select Medicare Advantage plans it accepts. We could not find Humana’s other plans on Headway’s site, so check with Headway.

Alma: its help center lists Humana among plans not included in its insurance program. Alma’s directory does list Humana under “other insurance,” so if a therapist there says they take Humana, confirm with the therapist and with Humana how billing will work.

SonderMind: lists Humana as an in-network insurer, with its own Humana coverage page.

Coverage varies by state and plan, so confirm with Humana and with the platform before you book.

Medicare

Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health care, including therapy, and telehealth is one of the ways you can get it. After you meet the Part B deductible, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, according to Medicare.gov. Medicare Advantage plans set their own networks and costs, so the platform must be in network with your specific plan.

Talkspace: says its therapy is covered by Original Medicare (Part B) in all 50 states and Washington, DC, though its psychiatry services are not covered by Original Medicare at this time. It is also in network with many Medicare Advantage plans, and therapy, and in some cases psychiatry, may be covered depending on your plan.

BetterHelp: does not accept Medicare. BetterHelp says its providers do not directly accept Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE.

Rula: accepts both Original Medicare and many Medicare Advantage plans from major insurers, and checks your plan and shows your cost before booking.

Headway: accepts select Medicare Advantage plans. Headway says it does not accept Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or Medigap on their own.

Alma: limited, and its help center is not consistent on this. One article says Alma currently supports Optum Medicare Advantage plans and people with both Medicare and Medicaid, while another says Alma does not accept Medicare or Medicaid plans. If you have Medicare, start elsewhere, or confirm with Alma before booking.

SonderMind: in network with Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

Coverage varies by state and plan, so confirm with Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan and with the platform before you book.

Medicaid

Medicaid is the hardest coverage to use on these platforms. Only two of the six accept it, and only for select plans in some states.

Talkspace: does not accept Medicaid.

BetterHelp: does not accept Medicaid.

Rula: says it accepts Medicaid in many states, through select plans, with coverage expanding. Its plan list includes Medicaid plans from insurers such as Amerigroup and Kaiser Permanente in some regions. Enter your state and plan during signup to check.

Headway: accepts select Medicaid managed care plans in some states, but not fee-for-service Medicaid. Headway suggests searching “Medicaid” in its insurance dropdown.

Alma: does not support standalone Medicaid plans, according to its help center.

SonderMind: its providers are not in network with Medicaid, and because of regulations, it cannot offer self-pay rates to people whose primary insurance is Medicaid.

If none of these work for you, a community mental health center is often the most reliable route. Your state Medicaid office or your Medicaid health plan can tell you which local providers are in network. SAMHSA’s free National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, can also refer you to local treatment, including facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid.

Coverage varies by state and plan, so confirm with your Medicaid plan and with the platform before you book.

TRICARE

TRICARE covers mental health care by secure video or phone, at the same cost as in-person care. Which platforms you can use depends on your region.

Talkspace: in network with TRICARE in both the East and West regions.

BetterHelp: does not accept TRICARE.

Rula: in network with TRICARE West only.

Headway: does not list TRICARE. Check with Headway.

Alma: TRICARE is not among the plans in Alma’s insurance program. Its directory lists TRICARE East under “other insurance,” so confirm with the therapist before booking.

SonderMind: in network with TRICARE West only, not TRICARE East.

Referral rules and costs depend on who you are and your TRICARE plan, and active duty service members need a referral first. Our full guide to online therapy that takes TRICARE covers regions, referrals, and free military counseling options. Coverage varies by region and plan, so confirm with your regional contractor and the platform before you book.

How to check your coverage

Five minutes of checking can save you a surprise bill. Here is the order that works best.

Step 1. Call the number on your card. Use the member services number, or the separate behavioral health or mental health number if your card has one. Some plans manage mental health through a different company, such as Optum or Carelon, and that company is the one to ask.

Step 2. Ask these questions, and name the platform:

“Is this platform, or this specific therapist, in network for my plan?”

“Does my plan cover telehealth mental health visits, and at what cost?”

“What is my copay or coinsurance, and does my deductible apply to therapy?”

“Do I need a referral or prior authorization, and is there a limit on sessions?”

Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke to, and a reference number for the call.

Step 3. Run the platform’s own check. Talkspace checks your eligibility when you enter your plan details. Rula checks your benefits and gives you a cost estimate before your first appointment. Headway verifies your plan when you add your insurance and shows an estimated cost before you book. SonderMind lets you search its directory by your plan. BetterHelp shows insurance as an option during signup if it is available in your state. Alma offers a cost estimator for Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Oscar, Oxford, and UnitedHealthcare.

Step 4. Understand in-network versus out-of-network. In network means the clinician has a contract with your insurer, so you pay your plan’s cost share. Out of network usually means you pay the full rate upfront, and your plan may reimburse part of it if you have out-of-network benefits. Headway does not work with out-of-network benefits. Talkspace says you can submit a superbill to your insurer for possible reimbursement. Many Alma therapists see out-of-network clients, and many offer a sliding scale.

Step 5. Keep records. Screenshot any cost estimate, and read the Explanation of Benefits your insurer sends after each session. It shows what was billed and what you owe, so you can catch mistakes early.

For a fuller walkthrough, see how to find a therapist who takes your insurance.

A note on Alma billing

Alma is a strong option if it takes your plan: a network of more than 26,000 clinicians, with providers in all 50 states; most therapists offer a free 15-minute consultation; and Alma charges clients no fee. Alma says insured clients pay $20 a session on average. With several major insurers, it can show you an estimated cost before you book, though sometimes only after you pick a therapist. Alma has been part of Spring Health since May 2026.

Billing is its weak spot. It is a recurring theme in Alma’s Better Business Bureau complaints, including copays that changed after the fact. Alma’s own help center explains why: its estimate comes from an eligibility check, and your insurer decides the final amount after it processes the claim, so the estimate can change. Confirm your coverage with your insurer before your first session, and keep records. Our Alma review covers this in detail.

Free and low-cost options

Insurance is not the only way to afford therapy, and none of these options require a platform.

Community mental health centers are a good place to start if cost is a barrier or you have Medicaid. SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, is free, confidential, and open 24/7. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, it can refer you to state-funded programs and to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale.

Your employer’s Employee Assistance Program may cover a few free sessions. Talkspace, Rula, Headway, and Alma all work with some EAPs, so ask your HR team which one you have.

Open Path Collective is a nonprofit network of therapists who offer sliding-scale rates, after a one-time membership fee, for people without insurance or with limited mental health benefits.

HSA and FSA funds can usually cover copays and other eligible costs with pre-tax dollars.

For more ways to save, see our guides to the best online therapy that takes insurance, the Talkspace insurance guide, and what Rula costs.

Common questions

Does insurance cover online therapy? Often, yes, if your plan includes outpatient mental health benefits and the platform or therapist is in network. Ask your insurer specifically about telehealth mental health visits.

Does BetterHelp take insurance? For select plans in select states, from insurers including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. It does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE.

Which platforms take Medicare? Talkspace, Rula, and SonderMind take Original Medicare and some Medicare Advantage plans. Headway takes select Medicare Advantage plans only. BetterHelp does not take Medicare.

Why was my bill higher than the estimate? Usually because the final amount is set when your insurer processes the claim. A deductible you had not met, a change in your plan, or a different session length can all change what you owe.

Can I use my insurance if I travel? Sometimes. Your therapist generally needs to be licensed, and for some plans credentialed, in the state where you are during the session. Tell the platform if you will be somewhere else.

The bottom line

If you have Aetna, Cigna, or UnitedHealthcare, you can choose among all six platforms, though BetterHelp limits its coverage to select plans and states. With Blue Cross Blue Shield, start by finding out which BCBS company issues your card. With Humana, SonderMind is the clearest fit, and Rula and Headway list Humana Medicare Advantage. For Medicare, look at Talkspace, Rula, and SonderMind. For Medicaid, check Rula and Headway, then a community mental health center. For TRICARE, Talkspace covers both regions. Whatever your plan, coverage varies by state and plan, so confirm with your insurer and the platform before you book.

Sources

• Talkspace: insurance coverage
• Talkspace: Aetna coverage
• Talkspace: Cigna coverage
• Talkspace: Optum coverage
• Talkspace: Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage
• Talkspace: Anthem coverage
• Talkspace: Medicare coverage
• Talkspace: TRICARE coverage
• Talkspace: TRICARE East and West summary
• Talkspace Help Center: using health insurance benefits
• Talkspace Help Center: understanding Medicare at Talkspace
• BetterHelp: insurance coverage
• Rula: therapy cost and insurance
• Rula: online therapy and plans accepted
• Rula: find a therapist who takes your insurance
• Rula: Medicare therapists
• Rula: TRICARE West psychiatry
• Headway Help Center: using insurance on Headway
• Headway: online therapy covered by insurance
• Headway: FAQs
• Alma: insurance partners
• Alma: FAQs
• Alma: how it works
• Alma Support: participating insurance plans
• Alma Support: why Alma does not participate with your plan
• Alma Support: how Alma verifies benefits and estimates your cost
• Spring Health: agreement to acquire Alma
• Spring Health: why Spring Health acquired Alma
• Better Business Bureau: Alma complaints
• SonderMind: insurance coverage
• SonderMind: Humana coverage
• SonderMind: FAQs
• Medicare.gov: outpatient mental health care
• TRICARE: virtual health
• TRICARE: mental health care appointments
• TRICARE: how do I know what region I am in?
• SAMHSA: National Helpline
• Open Path Collective

One important note: if you are in crisis or considering harming yourself, please reach out now. In the US, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Immediate human support is available.