Can I use my HSA to pay for BetterHelp?

Asked by: Geovanni Bashirian  |  Last update: July 26, 2023
Score: 5/5 (27 votes)

It's always a good practice to double-check with the manager or bank that oversees your HSA, but usually, BetterHelp is HSA eligible. People can typically use funds from an HSA (health savings account), FSA (flexible spending account), or HRA (health reimbursement arrangement) to pay their membership fees.

Can I use HSA to pay for online therapy?

The good news is that you can pay for many mental health treatments and services (including some forms of online therapy) with your flexible spending account (FSA) or your health savings account (HSA), to offset out-of-pocket expenses.

Can a health savings account be used for therapy?

The good news is mental health therapy, including virtual appointments, is an HSA-eligible expense. You can use your account to cover the cost of your sessions or get reimbursed.

Can I use my HSA for Talkspace?

HSA/FSA Account Benefit For Talkspace Services. To use your FSA/HSA on our platform, all you need to do is enter your card details when you provide payment information as you would for a normal credit card.

Is BetterHelp covered by insurance?

BetterHelp isn't covered by insurance and does not charge per session. This online counseling service offers a flexible monthly package that covers several sessions and ways to talk with your counselor (chat, video, phone). This is important because multiple counseling sessions are needed to help improve mental health.

my experience with online therapy | BETTERHELP vs. TALKSPACE

32 related questions found

Does BetterHelp accept insurance?

BetterHelp is an online subscription service offering virtual therapy sessions. The company does not accept insurance, and most private medical insurers do not cover the costs.

Is BetterHelp counseling legit?

While we can't speak for all of them, it's safe to say that BetterHelp is a legitimate company. It's been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2015. BetterHelp is in full compliance with HIPAA law, and it provides a safe and secure platform for users to interact with a counselor.

Is Talkspace or BetterHelp cheaper?

That said, when you compare the closest plans, BetterHelp is significantly cheaper at $80 per week than Talkspace at $129 per week (note that BetterHelp's sessions range between 30 and 45 minutes long, while Talkspace's are exactly 45 minutes long).

Can I use my HSA for Life Coach?

Marriage counseling, career counseling, life coaching, and parenting counseling do not qualify as HSA expenses.

What expenses are HSA eligible?

HSA - You can use your HSA to pay for eligible health care, dental, and vision expenses for yourself, your spouse, or eligible dependents (children, siblings, parents, and others who are considered an exemption under Section 152 of the tax code).

Can you use HSA for Botox?

Botox injections are not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).

Can HSA be used for marriage counseling?

Marriage counseling is not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Can I buy vitamins with HSA?

Generally, weight-loss supplements, nutritional supplements, and vitamins are used for general health and are not qualified HSA expenses. HSA owners usually cannot include the cost of diet food or beverages in medical expenses because these substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy nutritional needs.

Can I buy groceries with my HSA card?

No, you can't use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) for straight food purchases like meat, produce and dairy. But you can use them for some nutrition-related products and services. To review, tax-advantaged accounts have regulatory restrictions on eligible products and services.

Can you buy diapers with HSA?

Diapers are not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement arrangements (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSA) or limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA).

Why is BetterHelp so expensive?

Both Talkspace and BetterHelp have tiered memberships.

This means that how much you pay per week depends on the level of support you require — the more support or access to your therapist, the more expensive.

Why you shouldn't use BetterHelp?

It doesn't offer the mental health treatment it portrays.

THE PLATFORM DOES NOT INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL CARE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BY US.” So, to be clear, BetterHelp does not offer mental health services.

What is the BetterHelp controversy?

Controversy. In October 2018, BetterHelp gained attention from media personalities after concerns were raised about alleged use of unfair pricing, bad experiences with the app, paid reviews from actors, and terms of service that allegedly did not correspond with ads promoted by professional YouTubers.

How long are sessions on BetterHelp?

Betterhelp has 30 minute blocks but you can request and some therapist will allow up to an hour if you schedule. You can only schedule one live at a time. Typically my clients will do 1x/week tops or some do every other and I have a limited number that just schedule sporadically.

How many sessions do you get with BetterHelp?

With Betterhelp you can schedule 2 sessions a month and still have access to a counselor on your schedule for regular check-ins, psych-educational exercises, and even groupinars, which are virtual therapeutic groups led by licensed professionals.

How does BetterHelp billing work?

Your weekly charges for your counseling sessions will be billed once a month (using the payment information given) via PayPal or credit card. You can keep your membership for as long as you'd like and can cancel anytime.

Is BetterHelp really free?

The cost of therapy through the online therapy service BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90 per week (billed every four weeks), and it is based on your location, preferences, and therapist availability.

Can you get reimbursed for BetterHelp?

In short, Yes! Betterhelp can give you refunds on request if you are able to take into account the criteria for refund. Betterhelp provides you a refund in order to present client satisfaction and may even provide compensation for any kind of inconvenience faced.

Is it easy to cancel BetterHelp?

I am a BetterHelp customer and I want to opt-out

If you have a BetterHelp account and wish to completely opt-out of BetterHelp's services: Log into your BetterHelp account. If you are currently receiving therapy, go to Menu > My Account (or Account settings) > Payment settings > Quit Therapy.

Can I buy toothpaste with HSA?

Toothpaste is not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).