BetterHelp bills you weekly for therapy sessions, not per session
BetterHelp uses a weekly subscription model rather than charging you each time you talk to a therapist. You pay a flat weekly rate—typically between $60 and $90 per week, though the exact amount depends on your plan tier and location—and that covers unlimited messaging, weekly video or phone sessions, and access to your assigned therapist for that week. The charge hits your payment method every seven days on the same day you started your subscription.
You do not pay per session, per message, or per minute. If you have four video calls in one week or one call, the cost is the same. This is different from traditional therapy, where you might pay $100 to $200 per 50-minute session with no subscription commitment.
BetterHelp offers three plan tiers: Standard (lowest cost), Plus (mid-range), and Premium (highest cost). The difference is mainly in how quickly your therapist responds to messages and whether you get priority scheduling for live sessions. All three tiers include the same core features—messaging, video, and phone calls—just with different response times.
Key Takeaways
- BetterHelp charges a weekly flat rate, not per session, and the charge recurs every seven days on your billing date.
- Your weekly cost depends on which plan tier you choose (Standard, Plus, or Premium) and can range from roughly $60 to $90 per week.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty, and you will not be charged for weeks after you cancel.
- Payment methods accepted include credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal, and charges appear on your statement as "BetterHelp" or a related company name.
- If you have insurance, BetterHelp does not bill your insurance directly; you pay out of pocket and may be able to submit receipts for reimbursement depending on your plan.
How to set up and change your payment method
When you first sign up for BetterHelp, you enter your payment information before your first week of service begins. BetterHelp accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. You can add or change your payment method at any time through your account settings—log in, go to Account or Billing, and update your card or PayPal details. Changes take effect on your next billing date.
If a payment fails—for example, your card is declined or expired—BetterHelp will attempt to charge you again over the next few days. If the charge continues to fail, your account may be suspended until you update your payment method. You will receive an email notification when a payment fails, so check your inbox if your service suddenly stops.
BetterHelp does not store your full card number on their servers. Payment processing is handled by a third-party payment processor, and your card details are encrypted. If you are concerned about privacy, PayPal is an option that does not require you to share your card directly with BetterHelp.
What happens if you pause or cancel
You can pause your subscription for up to 30 days without losing your therapist or your account history. While paused, you will not be charged, and you can resume whenever you are ready. Pausing is useful if you need a break but plan to return to therapy. You manage this through your account settings under Subscription or Billing.
If you cancel your subscription, your access ends at the end of your current billing week. You will not be charged for the following week. Your account and message history remain visible to you for a period of time after cancellation, though BetterHelp's exact retention policy varies. You can restart a subscription at any time by signing back in and selecting a new plan.
There is no cancellation fee, no early termination penalty, and no lock-in contract. You can cancel after one week if you choose. However, if you cancel mid-week, you do not receive a refund for the remainder of that week—you are charged for the full seven days.
How insurance and out-of-pocket costs work
BetterHelp does not bill your health insurance directly. You pay the weekly subscription fee out of pocket, and BetterHelp provides you with an invoice or receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Whether your insurance will reimburse you depends entirely on your plan—some plans cover online therapy, others do not, and some require that the therapist be in-network.
Before you start, contact your insurance company and ask whether they cover telehealth therapy and whether BetterHelp therapists are considered in-network or out-of-network. If they are out-of-network, you may still be reimbursed, but at a lower rate (often 60 to 80 percent of what you paid). If your plan does not cover online therapy at all, you will not be reimbursed.
BetterHelp can provide documentation of your sessions and costs, which you will need for reimbursement claims. Ask your therapist or BetterHelp's support team for an itemized receipt or invoice showing the dates of service and the amount paid.
How charges appear on your bank or credit card statement
When you look at your bank or credit card statement, the charge will appear as "BetterHelp" or sometimes as "Teladoc" (the parent company that owns BetterHelp). The charge will be listed as a weekly recurring transaction on the same day each week. If you use a shared account or are concerned about privacy, the charge will be visible to anyone with access to that statement.
If you want the charge to be less visible, you can use a separate payment method—a debit card used only for BetterHelp, or a PayPal account that is separate from your main banking. This does not hide the charge from your bank, but it can reduce the chance that someone else sees it on a shared statement.
The charge amount will be consistent week to week unless you change your plan tier. If you upgrade from Standard to Plus, your next weekly charge will reflect the higher rate. If you downgrade, the lower rate takes effect on your next billing date.
What to do if you are charged incorrectly or want a refund
If you see a charge you do not recognize or believe you were charged twice, contact BetterHelp's support team through your account or by email. They can review your billing history and explain what you were charged for. If there is a genuine error—for example, you were charged after you cancelled—they can issue a refund or credit to your account.
BetterHelp does not offer refunds for the full week if you cancel mid-week, as mentioned above. However, if you cancel and are charged again by mistake, or if there is a duplicate charge, that is a different situation and support can help. Keep your cancellation confirmation email as proof of when you cancelled.
If BetterHelp's support team does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. This is called a chargeback. Contact your bank's fraud or disputes department, provide them with your BetterHelp account details and the dates of the charges in question, and they will investigate. Your bank may reverse the charge while they look into it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-week?
No. BetterHelp charges for the full seven-day week, and you are not refunded for unused days if you cancel before the week ends. Your access ends when ready when you cancel, but you are still charged for that week. To avoid this, cancel on the day before your next billing date if possible.
Does BetterHelp work with my insurance?
BetterHelp does not bill insurance directly. You pay out of pocket and can submit receipts to your insurance for reimbursement, but only if your plan covers telehealth therapy. Contact your insurance company first to confirm coverage and whether BetterHelp therapists are in-network in your state.
What if my payment method is declined?
BetterHelp will try to charge you again over the next few days. If all attempts fail, your account will be suspended until you update your payment method. You will receive an email when a payment fails. Log in and update your card or PayPal details to restore access.
Can I change my plan tier without cancelling?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time through your account settings. The new rate takes effect on your next billing date. If you upgrade mid-week, you may be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of that week, depending on BetterHelp's current policy.
How long does BetterHelp keep my account and message history after I cancel?
BetterHelp keeps your account accessible for a period after cancellation so you can read or review your message history. The exact retention period is not publicly specified, so contact support if you need to know how long your data will be available before deletion.