Government insurance acceptance varies sharply. Amwell takes neither Medicare nor Medicaid, while Rula covers Medicare in all 50 states and Medicaid in select states, Teladoc accepts Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care, and Grow Therapy supports both in eligible states.
Average copays depend on the platform. Rula averages about $15 per session with insurance and Grow Therapy about $21, while Amwell and Teladoc publish only self-pay rates.
Few platforms combine therapy, psychiatry, and crisis support. Rula and Brightside offer all three; Amwell, Teladoc, Grow Therapy, and Talkspace pair therapy and psychiatry but have no crisis service, and BetterHelp is therapy only.
Access and format vary widely. Rula and Grow Therapy book next-day and add in-person visits, Talkspace and BetterHelp match in about 48 hours with messaging plus live sessions, while Amwell's psychiatry can take up to 14 days and stays virtual.
The best Amwell alternatives depend on your coverage and the care you need. Rula pairs in-network therapy, psychiatry, and 24/7 crisis support with Medicare and Medicaid, and Teladoc offers broad telehealth with Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care. Grow Therapy lets you browse in-network providers and book fast.
If you've used Amwell for therapy or psychiatry, you may be weighing Amwell alternatives that fit your coverage and care needs more closely. Amwell is a broad, virtual-only telehealth platform, and it doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid. Many people want mental-health-focused care, faster psychiatry, in-person options, or crisis support instead.
The need is widespread. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 59.3 million U.S. adults (23.1%) had any mental illness in 2022. Only about half received treatment that year.
This guide compares seven platforms on insurance, cost, services, access, and fit, so you can find the right match.
Why do people look for an Amwell alternative?
Amwell has real strengths. It's an established nationwide telehealth service that has offered care since 2006, with therapy and psychiatry in all 50 states. It also reports that 97% of patients feel very or extremely satisfied with their therapist.
Still, Amwell doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you rely on either, you're effectively shut out and left paying the self-pay rate.
Access can also lag. Amwell psychiatry appointments can take up to about 14 days, and therapy wait times depend on each provider's availability. The platform also doesn't offer crisis support and doesn't have in-person visits, so every session happens by video or phone.
Together, these gaps send many people looking for Amwell alternatives that fit more closely.
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At-a-glance comparison
This table shows how six Amwell alternatives compare with Amwell on insurance, pricing, services, network size, access, and format.
1. Rula — Best for therapy, psychiatry, and crisis support in one network
Services offered: Individual, couples, family, child (5+), and teen therapy; psychiatry and medication management (13+); and 24/7 crisis support.
Insurance acceptance: 170 major plans, plus Medicare in all 50 states and Medicaid in select states.
Pricing: About $15 average copay with insurance; self-pay from $150 per session.
Rula is a coordinated, in-network behavioral health network, not a broad telehealth brand. Therapy, psychiatry, and crisis support work together in one place.
You verify your insurance and see an estimated copay before you book. Then you match with a provider based on preferences like gender, language, specialty, and faith. Many patients book a first session as soon as tomorrow, and Rula patients pay an average of $15 per session with insurance.
Rula's network includes 22,000 licensed providers, and 91% of patients report feeling better about their symptoms after care. Therapy and psychiatry and medication management stay coordinated, though care runs through a web portal rather than a mobile app.
Rula fits insured people, including those on Medicare or Medicaid in eligible states, who want therapy, psychiatry, and crisis support together, virtual or in person.
For a direct side-by-side breakdown, see the full Rula versus Amwell comparison.
2. Teladoc — Best for broad telehealth with Medicare Advantage or Medicaid
Services offered: Adult therapy, psychiatry and medication management, and mental health coaching (adults 18 and older).
Insurance acceptance: Many health plans and employers, plus many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed-care plans (not fee-for-service).
Pricing: Copay varies by plan; self-pay $119 per mental health visit.
Teladoc is the closest match to Amwell: a large national telehealth platform where mental health is one service among many.
You answer a few questions, choose a therapist or psychiatrist, and keep the same provider over time. Appointments run seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Teladoc's network includes 30,000 providers across all specialties, giving you access to a broad range of mental health professionals nationwide.
Teladoc reports that 60% of members with moderate to severe depression reached remission or meaningful improvement. Its mental health services are adults only and virtual, with no crisis service. The platform also offers mental health coaching as an additional support option, though it doesn't replace therapy or psychiatry.
Teladoc suits adults who like Amwell's all-in-one telehealth model but need Medicare Advantage or Medicaid managed-care coverage. It's also a good fit if you already use Teladoc for primary care and want to keep all your health services in one place.
3. Grow Therapy — Best for browsing providers with in-person options
Services offered: Talk therapy and medication support, plus couples, family, and child or adolescent care.
Insurance acceptance: 125+ plans, including Medicaid and Medicare in select states.
Pricing: About $21 average copay with insurance; self-pay $75 to $200; sliding scale options.
Grow Therapy is an insurance-based provider marketplace that shows transparent, in-network pricing before you book.
You filter by insurance, specialty, identity, and real-time availability, then book with no waitlists. Most people see a provider in two days or less and can choose virtual or in-person visits, including nights and weekends.
Grow Therapy lists 26,000+ providers and one of the broader government-insurance footprints here. The platform accepts both Medicare and Medicaid in select states, giving you more coverage options than many competitors. Availability and specialty depth vary by location, and there's no mobile app. You can browse therapist profiles, read bios, and compare credentials before making a choice, which gives you more control over the matching process.
It fits insured people who want to compare providers themselves and value in-person options. The self-directed search works well if you prefer researching your options rather than being matched by an algorithm. For a closer look, see the Rula versus Grow Therapy comparison.
4. Talkspace — Best for messaging-based therapy plus psychiatry
Services offered: Individual (18 and older), teen (13 to 17), and couples therapy; psychiatry and medication management.
Insurance acceptance: Major plans and Medicare; no Medicaid.
Pricing: Copay varies; self-pay from $69 per week for messaging, up to $109 per week; psychiatry initial evaluation $299.
Talkspace is messaging-forward online therapy with optional live sessions and prescribing.
Talkspace matches you in about 48 hours. You can message your provider anytime, with responses five days a week, plus scheduled live sessions. The platform offers flexibility in how you communicate, letting you choose between text, video, or voice messaging depending on what feels most comfortable in the moment.
Talkspace has 6,000+ providers and reports that 70% of users show significant improvement on anxiety and depression measures. It's virtual only, with no in-person visits and no Medicaid. The platform also offers specialized tracks for conditions like anxiety, depression, and relationship issues, and you can switch therapists if your first match doesn't feel right.
It suits people who prefer writing to their therapist between sessions and want psychiatry on the same platform. Talkspace works especially well if you have an unpredictable schedule or find it easier to process your thoughts in writing rather than speaking in real time. The asynchronous messaging model means you can reach out whenever something comes up, rather than waiting for your next scheduled appointment.
5. Brightside — Best for measurement-based depression and anxiety care
Services offered: Psychiatry and therapy focused on depression, anxiety, and related conditions; a Crisis Care program; teen care (13 and older).
Insurance acceptance: Major plans, plus some Medicare and some Medicaid.
Pricing: Copay varies; self-pay $95 per month for psychiatry, $299 per month for therapy, or $349 per month for both.
Brightside is a structured, precision program that tracks symptoms with standardized check-ins.
You start with a free clinical assessment, then use insurance or self-pay. Many people connect in as little as two days, with unlimited messaging plus scheduled video sessions. The platform uses measurement-based care, meaning your provider tracks your progress with validated clinical scales at regular intervals and adjusts treatment based on your results.
Brightside reports 86% clinically significant improvement within 12 weeks and 71% remission. Its condition focus is narrower, and care is virtual only. The platform specializes in depression and anxiety rather than the full range of mental health conditions, which allows providers to follow evidence-based protocols tailored to these specific diagnoses.
It fits adults with depression or anxiety, including higher-acuity needs, who want data-informed therapy and medication with a crisis track. Brightside works especially well if you prefer a more clinical, outcomes-focused approach and want your provider to use objective measures to guide your treatment plan.
6. BetterHelp — Best for flexible, out-of-pocket messaging therapy
Services offered: Individual therapy only (couples through Regain, teens through Teen Counseling); no psychiatry or medication.
Insurance acceptance: Select plans where available (about $23 copay); no Medicare or Medicaid.
Pricing: Subscription $70 to $100 per week; about $23 copay where insurance applies.
BetterHelp is the largest therapist network, built around subscription access and several ways to connect.
A brief questionnaire matches you in roughly 24 to 48 hours. You get unlimited messaging plus one weekly live session by video, phone, or chat, and can switch therapists anytime. The platform's flexibility extends to scheduling — you can book sessions at times that work for you, including evenings and weekends, without waiting weeks for an opening.
BetterHelp doesn't offer prescribing, diagnosis, or crisis support. The platform focuses exclusively on talk therapy, so if you need medication management or psychiatric evaluation, you'll need to seek those services elsewhere.
It fits uninsured people new to therapy who want flexible scheduling and don't need medication. BetterHelp also works well if you prefer the convenience of messaging your therapist between sessions or if you're exploring therapy for the first time and want a low-barrier entry point. The subscription model means you pay a flat weekly rate regardless of how often you message, which can offer good value if you communicate frequently with your provider.
How much do these platforms cost with and without insurance?
Cost comes in two forms: the copay you pay with insurance, and the self-pay price without it. Your copay usually matters more, because it reflects what you'll actually pay if you have insurance.
The copay and self-pay rates are:
Amwell: Self-pay $99 or less for therapy; $199 for initial psychiatry (no copay published).
Rula: About $15 average copay; self-pay from $150.
Grow Therapy: About $21 average copay; self-pay $75 to $200.
Teladoc: Copay varies; self-pay $119 per visit.
Talkspace: $10-$15; self-pay from $69 per week.
Brightside: Copay varies; self-pay $95 to $349 per month.
BetterHelp: About $23 copay where eligible; self-pay $70 to $100 per week.
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Which Amwell alternatives take Medicare and Medicaid?
Amwell accepts neither Medicare nor Medicaid, and government coverage is where your choices narrow fastest. Most Amwell alternatives accept at least one of these programs in some states.
Here's how government insurance acceptance breaks down across platforms.
Rula: Medicare in all 50 states and Medicaid in select states (see Medicare-covered psychiatry).
Teladoc: Many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed-care plans.
Grow Therapy: Medicare and Medicaid in select states.
Brightside: Some Medicare and some Medicaid plans.
Talkspace: Medicare, but no Medicaid.
BetterHelp: Neither.
Amwell: Neither.
How do you choose the right Amwell alternative?
Any of these Amwell alternatives can work well, and the best choice depends on your coverage, the care you need, and how you want to receive it.
On Medicare or Medicaid: Rula, Teladoc, or Grow Therapy accept Medicare and Medicaid in eligible states, unlike Amwell.
Want therapy and psychiatry coordinated: Rula and Brightside add crisis support; Teladoc and Talkspace offer both without a crisis track.
Paying out of pocket: BetterHelp and Talkspace have lower entry subscriptions; Grow Therapy shows per-session pricing upfront.
Couples or family care: Rula, Grow Therapy, and Talkspace support relationship and family work, including couples therapy.
Want in-person as well as virtual: Rula and Grow Therapy offer in-person visits; the others are virtual only.
Before you commit, confirm the platform is in-network for your plan, check appointment availability, and see whether you can switch providers. You can verify your insurance coverage first.
Frequently asked questions
Which Amwell alternative accepts the most insurance plans?
Rula accepts 170 major plans plus Medicare in all 50 states and Medicaid in select states, while Teladoc covers many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed-care plans. Grow Therapy accepts 80+ plans including Medicare and Medicaid in eligible states, and BetterHelp has the most limited insurance acceptance.
Can I switch from Amwell to another platform if I'm already in treatment?
Yes. You can start with a new provider on any platform, though you'll go through intake again. Most platforms match you within a few days, and you can bring records or summaries from your Amwell provider to help your new therapist or psychiatrist understand your history and continue your care.
Can I get therapy and psychiatry from the same platform?
Yes. Several platforms, including Rula, Teladoc, Grow Therapy, Talkspace, and Brightside, offer both so your care stays coordinated, while therapy-only services like BetterHelp don't prescribe.
How much does online therapy cost with insurance?
With in-network coverage, you usually pay a copay, which varies by platform and is often far below the self-pay price. Rula patients pay an average of $15 per session with insurance. A deductible may apply first, so get a copay estimate before your first session.
What should you look for in an online therapy platform?
Start by matching the platform to your insurance coverage — especially if you rely on Medicare or Medicaid — and then consider the type of care you need, whether that's therapy alone, psychiatry and medication management, or access to crisis support. You'll also want to weigh how quickly you can get an appointment and what format works best for you, whether that's virtual sessions or the option to meet in person.
Find care with Rula
With Rula, you can confirm your insurance in minutes and see an estimated copay before you book. You match with a provider based on your preferences, then choose virtual or in-person care, often with next-day availability.
Rula brings therapy and psychiatry together in one place with crisis care. When you're ready to take the next step, Rula can help you find care that fits.
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Rula’s editorial team is on a mission to make science-backed mental health insights accessible and practical for every person seeking to better understand or improve mental wellness.
Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
