Mental health care is becoming more accessible through technology, and insurance coverage is finally catching up. Major insurance providers now cover digital therapy platforms, and in 2025, Medicare began covering FDA-approved mental health apps for the first time. This shift makes professional mental health support more convenient and often more affordable than traditional in-person therapy.

Understanding Your Digital Mental Health Options

Coverage depends on which type of digital mental health service you’re using.

Digital Therapy Platforms like Talkspace offer online counseling with licensed therapists through text, video, or phone sessions. These work like traditional therapy but are delivered through apps and websites. Talkspace partners with health plans across the U.S., and covered members typically have an average copay of $15.

Prescription Digital Therapeutics are FDA-approved apps that deliver specific treatments for diagnosed mental health conditions. As of January 1, 2025, Medicare covers some FDA-approved digital health apps known as digital therapeutics for conditions like depression and anxiety. These require a prescription from a healthcare provider.

What’s Covered by Insurance Now

Coverage has expanded significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption.

Online Therapy Platforms: Most major insurance providers including Cigna, Optum, Carelon, Aetna, TRICARE, traditional Medicare, Regence, and Anthem now cover platforms like Talkspace. Coverage typically includes individual therapy sessions, couples counseling, and sometimes psychiatry services for medication management.

FDA-Approved Apps: Digital therapeutics approved by the FDA in 2024 include Rejoyn for major depressive disorder and DaylightRX for generalized anxiety disorder. These apps deliver clinically-tested treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and require a healthcare provider’s prescription.

How to Access Covered Services

Getting started with covered digital mental health services is typically straightforward, though the process varies by insurance type.

Check Your Coverage: Visit your insurance provider’s website or call the member services number on your card. Many insurers now list covered digital health platforms in their provider directories or have dedicated mental health resource pages.

Direct Verification: Some platforms can verify your coverage instantly. Services like Amazon’s Health Benefits Connector can check if your insurance plan covers digital health programs and help you apply for covered services.

For FDA-approved mental health apps, you’ll need to work with a healthcare provider who can evaluate whether a digital therapeutic is appropriate for your condition, write a prescription for the specific app, and monitor your progress.

What You Can Expect to Pay

Costs vary based on your insurance plan and the type of service you’re using.

With Insurance Coverage: Most covered digital therapy platforms have copays ranging from $0 to $25 per session. Some plans cover unlimited messaging with therapists, while others have session limits.

Prescription Digital Therapeutics: These are often covered similar to prescription medications, with copays that depend on your plan’s formulary tier. Some insurers are advocating for $0 copays for these treatments, recognizing their preventive value.

Employee Benefits: Many employer health plans now include Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that provide free access to digital mental health resources. Check with your HR department about what’s available through your workplace benefits.

Making the Most of Your Benefits

To maximize your mental health app benefits:

Understand Your Network: Some insurers require you to use specific platforms or providers to receive full coverage. Using out-of-network services may result in higher costs or no coverage.

Combine Approaches: Many people benefit from using both traditional therapy and digital therapeutics. Your provider can help determine if combining approaches would be beneficial.

Keep Records: Track your digital therapy sessions and app usage. This information can be helpful for your healthcare providers and may be required for insurance reimbursement.

The trend toward covering digital mental health services is accelerating. More states are expanding Medicaid coverage for online therapy, and private insurers recognize that preventive mental health care can reduce overall healthcare costs. As more FDA-approved digital therapeutics become available, coverage will likely expand further.

Digital mental health care isn’t replacing traditional therapy, but it’s making professional support more accessible and affordable. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or just need someone to talk to, there are now covered options that can fit into your schedule and budget.

Always verify coverage details with your specific insurance provider before starting any digital mental health service, as benefits can vary significantly between plans and may change over time.