BetterHelp does not accept Medicaid directly, but you may still be able to use it depending on your state plan and how your coverage works

BetterHelp is a private telehealth counseling service that operates independently from government insurance programs. The company does not bill Medicaid, and Medicaid will not reimburse BetterHelp sessions. However, some Medicaid plans do cover online therapy through other platforms, and some people use BetterHelp out of pocket while keeping their Medicaid mental health benefits separate.

The real question is whether your specific Medicaid plan covers any form of telehealth therapy at all. If it does, that coverage will be through a different provider — not BetterHelp. If you want to use BetterHelp specifically, you would pay for it yourself, though some employers or health plans offer BetterHelp as an employee benefit separate from Medicaid.

Key Takeaways

  • BetterHelp does not accept Medicaid as payment and will not bill your state plan, so you cannot use Medicaid to pay for BetterHelp sessions.
  • Your Medicaid plan may cover therapy through other telehealth providers or through in-person mental health services, which you can use instead.
  • To find out what mental health services your Medicaid covers, contact your state Medicaid office or your plan's member services line.
  • If you want to use BetterHelp specifically, you would need to pay out of pocket, unless your employer offers it as a separate benefit.

How to check what mental health coverage your Medicaid plan includes

Your Medicaid coverage varies by state and by the specific plan you are enrolled in. Some states cover telehealth therapy broadly; others cover it only in certain situations or not at all. The fastest way to know is to call the member services number on the back of your Medicaid card.

When you call, ask specifically: "Does my plan cover telehealth therapy or counseling?" and "Are there any telehealth mental health providers in my network?" Write down the names of any providers they mention. If they say your plan does not cover telehealth, ask whether it covers in-person therapy, because many plans do.

You can also log into your state's Medicaid website or your plan's member portal and search the provider directory for "mental health" or "therapy." Some plans list telehealth providers separately. If you cannot find the information online, the member services line is your most reliable source.

What to do if your Medicaid plan does not cover telehealth therapy

If your plan does not cover any form of therapy, you have several options. Many community mental health centers offer sliding-scale fees based on income, meaning you pay what you can afford. You can find these through your state's mental health department or by searching "community mental health center" plus your county name.

Some therapists also work on a sliding scale independently. Psychology Today's therapist finder lets you filter by "sliding scale" and by location. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is free and can refer you to local mental health services in your area.

If you want to use BetterHelp specifically despite not having Medicaid coverage for it, the cost is typically $60 to $90 per week for unlimited messaging with a therapist, or more for live sessions. Some employers offer BetterHelp as an employee benefit at no cost to the employee, so check whether your workplace provides it.

Why BetterHelp does not accept Medicaid

BetterHelp operates as a private company and does not participate in government insurance networks. To accept Medicaid, a provider must meet specific state licensing requirements, billing standards, and network agreements. BetterHelp's business model is built around direct-to-consumer payment rather than insurance billing.

This is different from many traditional telehealth platforms and in-person therapy practices, which do accept Medicaid because they are structured to handle government insurance claims. BetterHelp's choice to remain outside the Medicaid system means faster access for paying customers but no coverage option for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Using BetterHelp and Medicaid mental health services at the same time

You can use BetterHelp out of pocket while also using your Medicaid mental health benefits through a different provider. There is no rule against seeing multiple therapists or counselors. However, it is a good idea to tell each provider that you are working with someone else, so they have a complete picture of your care.

Some people do this because they want a specific type of therapy that BetterHelp offers but their Medicaid plan does not cover, or because they prefer BetterHelp's convenience. Just keep in mind that you would be paying for BetterHelp separately from whatever your Medicaid covers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Medicaid to pay for BetterHelp?

No. BetterHelp does not bill Medicaid and does not accept it as payment. If you want to use BetterHelp, you would need to pay out of pocket or through an employer benefit.

Does Medicaid cover any online therapy?

Some state Medicaid plans do cover telehealth therapy through specific providers, but it varies widely by state and plan. Call your plan's member services number to ask whether telehealth mental health services are covered and which providers are in your network.

What if I cannot afford therapy and my Medicaid does not cover it?

Community mental health centers offer sliding-scale fees based on income. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) can refer you to free or low-cost services in your area. Psychology Today's therapist finder also filters by sliding scale.

Will my Medicaid cover therapy if I use BetterHelp instead?

No. Medicaid will not pay for BetterHelp sessions under any circumstances. However, you can use BetterHelp out of pocket while using your Medicaid benefits through a different mental health provider.

Is there a way to get BetterHelp for free through Medicaid?

Not through Medicaid itself. Some employers offer BetterHelp as an employee benefit at no cost. If you do not have employer coverage, you would need to pay for BetterHelp separately or look for a Medicaid-covered telehealth provider instead.