Does Insurance Cover Online Psychiatry? Understanding Your Telehealth Benefits
Author:
Blossom Editorial
Nov 5, 2025
If you're considering online psychiatry, you're probably wondering whether your insurance will help cover the cost. Most major insurance plans now cover virtual mental health services just like in-person visits, making psychiatric care more accessible and affordable than ever before.
Quick Answer
Many insurance plans cover online psychiatry. A majority of employer-sponsored plans now include telehealth benefits for mental health care, with coverage levels increasing substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Your coverage may include the same copays and deductibles you'd have for in-person appointments.
Key Takeaways
Coverage is widespread: Most major insurance plans now reimburse online psychiatry at similar rates as in-person visits, though specific benefits vary by plan and state.
Check your specific plan: Call your insurance company or review your benefits to understand copays, deductibles, and whether you need prior authorization.
In-network saves money: Using in-network providers like Blossom Health can reduce your out-of-pocket costs compared with out-of-network care, but dollar savings can vary by insurer and plan.
How Insurance Coverage Works for Online Psychiatry
Virtual psychiatric care follows the same insurance rules as traditional office visits. If your plan covers mental health services, it likely covers telehealth appointments too.
The way it works is straightforward: your insurance treats online psychiatry visits like any other specialist appointment. You'll typically pay the same copay or coinsurance, and visits count toward your annual deductible just like in-person care.
Insurance Plans That Typically Cover Online Psychiatry
Commercial health insurance
Private insurance plans from employers or purchased individually generally provide strong coverage for telepsychiatry. Major insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Humana commonly cover online psychiatric services.
Medicare
Medicare Part B covers many outpatient psychiatric services delivered via telehealth, including evaluation, therapy, and medication management. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has significantly expanded telehealth coverage, making remote mental health care more accessible for older adults.
However, it is essential to check CMS guidance for the current list of covered telehealth services and any time-limited waivers.
Medicaid
Most state Medicaid programs reimburse at least some live-video telehealth services, but exact benefits, allowed platforms, and billing rules vary by state — check your state’s Medicaid policy to make sure. CCHP maintains an updated tracker of state telehealth policies.
What Mental Health Services Are Covered Online?
Your insurance typically covers the same psychiatric services whether you're meeting virtually or in person. Here's what's usually included:
Initial Psychiatric Evaluations
Comprehensive assessments to diagnose mental health conditions and create treatment plans are covered by most plans. These first appointments typically last 60-90 minutes and form the foundation for your ongoing care.
Medication Management
Follow-up visits to monitor prescriptions and adjust medications are standard covered services. These appointments usually run 15-30 minutes and can happen monthly or quarterly based on your needs and plan.
Psychotherapy
Some psychiatrists provide psychotherapy in addition to medication management, but many psychiatrists primarily offer medication management, while psychotherapy is frequently delivered by psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, or licensed counselors.
If your plan covers therapy in office settings, it extends to online sessions.
Crisis Intervention
Urgent psychiatric consultations for acute mental health needs are often covered, though you should verify your plan's emergency telehealth provisions.
Understanding Your Specific Coverage
Every insurance plan has unique details that affect what you'll actually pay for online psychiatry. Here's what to look for:
Copays and Deductibles
Your deductible typically needs to be met before insurance starts covering services, though some plans exempt preventive mental health visits.
Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that the average specialist copay for many employer plans ranges from $40-$50 for in-network providers. Online visits may have the same or even lower copays, although the exact figures vary by insurer and plan.
In-network vs. Out-of-network
This is where you can save significant money. In-network providers have negotiated rates with your insurer, resulting in much lower costs. Out-of-network care often requires higher deductibles, and you'll pay a larger percentage of the total cost.
The difference can be substantial, so as often as possible, always opt for in-network providers.
Prior Authorization
Some plans require approval before you start psychiatric services, especially for initial evaluations. Your provider's office typically handles this process, but knowing about the requirement helps avoid treatment delays.
Session Limits
While the Mental Health Parity Act requires equal coverage for mental and physical health, some plans still impose annual visit limits. Check your plan documents to understand any restrictions.
How to Verify Your Coverage
Taking a few minutes to verify your benefits prevents surprise bills and ensures smooth access to care.
Call your insurance company
Contact the member services number on your card and specifically ask about telehealth mental health coverage. Get details on copays, deductibles, and prior authorization requirements.
Review your benefits document
Your Summary of Benefits and Coverage outlines what's covered. Look for sections on mental health, behavioral health, or telehealth services.
Use your insurer's online portal
Most insurance companies offer online tools to search for in-network providers and check coverage in real time.
Ask your provider's office
Platforms like Blossom Health verify insurance coverage during the intake process, confirming your benefits before your first appointment so there are no surprises.
Common Insurance Terms Explained
Understanding these terms helps you navigate your coverage more easily:
Deductible: The amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance coverage begins.
Copayment: A fixed amount you pay for each visit, typically $40-$50 for specialist appointments. Exact numbers vary by plan and type of service.
Coinsurance: Your percentage share of costs after meeting your deductible, often 20%-30% for in-network care. Cost-sharing percentages may vary by plan.
Out-of-pocket maximum: The most you'll pay in a year before insurance covers 100% of costs.
Prior authorization: Approval required from your insurance before receiving certain services.
How to Maximize Your Insurance Benefits
Smart strategies can help you minimize costs while getting consistent psychiatric care.
Choose In-network Providers
This is the single most effective way to reduce costs. Platforms like Blossom Health work with multiple insurance networks to maximize accessibility and affordability.
Know Your Benefit Year
Understanding when your deductible resets can help you plan appointments strategically. If you've met your deductible late in the year, scheduling additional appointments before it resets saves money.
Use Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be used for copays, deductibles, and other mental health expenses with pre-tax dollars, effectively reducing your costs.
Request Generic Medications
Generic psychiatric medications cost significantly less than brand names and work just as well. Most insurance plans have lower copays for generics.
What If Your Plan Doesn't Cover Online Psychiatry?
While uncommon, some plans may have limited telehealth coverage. You still have options for affordable care:
Sliding scale fees: Many psychiatric practices offer reduced rates based on income and financial need.
Payment plans: Some providers let you spread costs over several months.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Your employer may offer free or low-cost mental health sessions through an EAP.
Health Savings Accounts: HSA funds can pay for psychiatric care even without insurance coverage, providing tax benefits.
When to Consider Online Psychiatry
You should consider reaching out for professional psychiatric help if you're experiencing:
Persistent mood changes that last more than two weeks
Anxiety that interferes with daily activities
Difficulty managing stress or overwhelming emotions
Sleep disturbances or changes in appetite
Concerns about current psychiatric medications
The convenience of online appointments often makes it easier to maintain consistent treatment. Research shows that regular, ongoing care improves outcomes for conditions like depression and anxiety disorders.
The Bottom Line
Insurance coverage for online psychiatry has expanded in recent years, improving access for many people.
Most major plans cover virtual mental health services at the same rate as office visits, making quality psychiatric care more accessible and convenient, but check your plan to be sure.
How Blossom Health Can Help
Blossom Health provides virtual psychiatric care designed to help you effectively manage your mental health. Our board-certified psychiatric providers can evaluate your symptoms, provide an accurate diagnosis, create personalized treatment plans, and prescribe medications when appropriate.
Getting started is straightforward: visit Blossom Health to verify we're available in your state and that we accept your insurance. You can schedule your first appointment at a time that fits your schedule, with most patients seen within 48 hours. All appointments are conducted via secure video call, allowing you to receive expert psychiatric care from home.
Your provider will spend an hour with you during your initial appointment, discussing your anxiety symptoms, exploring what's been helpful or unhelpful in the past, and developing a treatment approach that works for you. Whether your plan includes medication, therapy referrals, self-help techniques, or a combination of approaches, you'll have ongoing support to help you achieve lasting improvement.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding anxiety or other mental health conditions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, severe anxiety, panic attacks, or thoughts of self-harm, seek immediate professional help. Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or go to your nearest emergency room.
The information provided about medications, treatments, and medical conditions is general in nature and may not apply to your individual situation. Treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with qualified healthcare providers who can evaluate your specific circumstances, medical history, and current health status.
Sources
Rae, M., Cox, C., & Claxton, G. (2020, March 3). Coverage and utilization of telemedicine services by enrollees in large employer plans. Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/coverage-and-utilization-of-telemedicine-services-by-enrollees-in-large-employer-plans/
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024, December 11). List of telehealth services. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/telehealth/list-services
Center for Connected Health Policy. (n.d.). Home | Center for Connected Health Policy. Public Health Institute. https://www.cchpca.org/
Center for Connected Health Policy. (n.d.). All telehealth policies. Public Health Institute. https://www.cchpca.org/all-telehealth-policies/
American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). Telepsychiatry toolkit. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/telepsychiatry/toolkit
Rakshit, S., Rae, M., Claxton, G., & Cox, C. (2023, September 26). Private insurers paid similarly for common telehealth and in-person claims. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/mental-health/early-in-the-pandemic-private-insurers-paid-similarly-for-common-telehealth-and-in-person-claims
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2025). 2025 Employer health benefits survey. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/2025-employer-health-benefits-survey
Bulkes, N. Z., Davis, K., Kay, B., & Riemann, B. C. (2022). Comparing efficacy of telehealth to in-person mental health care in intensive-treatment-seeking adults. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 145, 347–352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.11.003
