Is Betterhelp Eligible For FSA? (A guide)

Factors affecting eligibility, what betterhelp recommends, what is fsa and how to use it or apply, what fsa covers, betterhelp and its services

This article will explore if Betterhelp is eligible for FSA by considering a number of factors. Furthermore, the article will cover what FSA is, what it covers and how one can use it for their own benefit. To provide a complete understanding of the topic, the article will look at what Betterhelp is and what are it’s services.

Is Betterhelp Eligible For FSA?

Betterhelp can be eligible for FSA but it depends on a number of factors such as:

• Type of service
• Treatment details
• Legitimacy
• Incurred Costs

Before we look at each factor in detail, we will study what FSA basically is and how can one use it for their own benefit.

What Is FSA – Flexible Spending Account

It is a healthcare pre-tax benefit which is used to pay for medical related costs such as the treatment itself or any costs incurred – costs that are not covered by other plans or insurance and are basically out of the pocket in nature. It helps you save your money and use it wisely in your priority areas.

It has many benefits. As a member, you can save upto an average of 30% on eligible health care expenses. You also gain access to the full amount if you apply for the FSAFEDS plan on the first day. Furthermore, through this same plan, if you don’t use all of your money you can carry over an estimated $550 to the next year – you don’t lose what you did not spend!

Let’s take a look at what is covered by the plan:

• Medical expenses such as co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles
• Dental expenses such as check-ups, exams, X – Rays and braces
• Eye related services such as vision check-up, glasses, laser eye surgery and contact lenses
• Professional services which include physical therapy, chiropractor and acupuncture
• Expenses to buy necessary drugs that have been prescribed as well as over the counter drugs too
• Health care items for daily use such as bandages, pregnancy kits and blood pressure monitors.

It is necessary to mention that this service is availed through one’s employer who will also be contributing to this fund and is not taxed. Also, as we mentioned before, if you have money that is unused you can get more time to use it – upto 2.5 months – or carry it over to the next year.

Factors That Affect Betterhelp’s Eligibility For FSA.

Type Of Service

Not all services qualify for FSA. It is a fund that aims to help people cover their medical expenses. Hence, it will deal with issues that are directly related to factors that affect one’s body and not necessarily the mind. It is a bit of a grey area but let’s try to understand it.

So, if you are an individual who is suffering from a mental disorder such depression, schizophrenia or an such disorder that requires medication, then you will be able to use funds from the FSA to cover costs related to drug usage. This is one way the service becomes available. 

However, it is possible you are experiencing mental health issues but because of the services you avail it will not be possible for you to use FSA to cover costs. This is apparent when you avail marriage and family counseling services. As there are no ‘apparent’ health costs involved it may be difficult to use FSA funds here. However, with sufficient documentation you may get lucky!

Now when it comes to Betterhelp, they provide an array of services. Some of them are pure counseling that will not be eligible for FSA funds however clients do take up services with regards to serious mental health issues such as depression and anxiety for which medicines will be required. However, there is another factor we must consider before we can comment further here!

Treatment Details

Treatment at Betterhelp is all about the client – the main focus of the service provider is to ensure the client feels better and sees some improvement in their issues or they can better manage their problems.

However, when it comes to Betterhelp – a platform indeed – the company strongly discourages service providers from diagnosing patients or prescribing drugs. There are a number of reasons behind this and it can affect mental health in a negative way as well – hence the platform discourages it. Furthermore, the website states that these service providers are not the employees or representatives of the company but are simply users of the platform to connect with clients looking for help.

Hence, as it is apparent, if Betterhelp discourages such activities on it’s platform then it will be difficult for clients to use their FSA funds for the services they avail because it is unlikely they will receive diagnoses or drug prescriptions – factors that prove you are eligible for FSA usage.

Legitimacy

Betterhelp does qualify as a legitimate platform that offers help to clients looking for mental health services – all we are doing is informing you that this is an important factor for determining if Betterhelp is eligible for FSA.

Yes Betterhelp is a legitimate online company that provides numerous services relevant to mental health and well-being for people who are in need of it! There are a number of reasons why this company is legit such as:

• An established online company
• Qualified Therapists
• Satisfied Customers
• Secure Website
• Great Service

Once we introduce Betterhelp, you will have more understanding!

Incurred Costs.

FSA also helps cover costs that are related to availing a service for one’s medical health. This can include transport expenses as well for example if you are traveling to attend a group therapy for alcoholics. However, when it comes to Betterhelp you do not have any such costs because it is an online service.

Furthermore, Betterhelp recommends that clients realize the low costs of services and not opt for funds or insurance plans as it can make things more complicated. In some cases, the co-payments of insurance plans may exceed the total costs of services availed at Betterhelp.

Now that we have a better understanding of the entire situation, let us take a look at the company itself!

What Is Betterhelp?

Betterhelp is one of the largest online platforms that provides multiple services for all types of people who are suffering from mental health problems and require counseling. What is great about this service is that it is online hence it is available anywhere and every time. You do not have to go to the doctor’s office to get an appointment or wait in line for your turn. This is great if you feel pretty down and getting out of bed is a challenge for you!

With approximately 1700 licensed therapists available online at the click of a button, Betterhelp ensures that its clients receive the best help they can get by connecting them to professional therapists and counselors who know what they need to do This is apparent by the total number of sessions which Betterhelp has already conducted from their platform; a whopping 70 million sessions already completed! This is possible because the company understands the needs of clients well and hence provides therapy related services to them online and not just at  physical location. In a world where things are changing constantly and the unknown is always around the corner, it is becoming more of a need rather than a desire to get services online and at your doorstep – we simply don’t have time nowadays!

Betterhelp recognizes everyone – they don’t discriminate. Whether you are a child who needs counseling or someone from a minority group or marginalized community, Betterhelp believes that no one should be kept away from getting the help they need! Also, Betterhelp recognizes the important diversity should be given; even though the differences don’t mean justify discrimination or leaving someone out, they do necessitate the special services we require. This includes people from all types of backgrounds. 

When you visit their site, you will see that the company realizes the various situations you may be stuck in; you could be a child who needs help, a person in a relationship who feels they need to opt for couple therapy or an individual who is having a tough time facing their problems. The website also recognizes people who experience different feelings, thoughts and experiences compared to the vast majority of people; it does not judge a person based on how others are but how the person is themself! So don’t worry! You are in good hands at Betterhelp.

Conclusion

This article looked at what factors determine if Betterhelp services are eligible for FSA funds and what FSA basically is. It also described what types of services or costs the funda can be used for and why they may not be applicable for services at Betterhelp. The article also provided a detailed overview about Betterhelp and it’s policies.

References

https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/flexible-spending-account-fsa/#:~:text=An%20arrangement%20through%20your%20employer,%2C%20insulin%2C%20and%20medical%20devices.&text=You%20aren’t%20taxed%20on%20this%20money.

https://www.fsafeds.com/explore/hcfsa

https://fsastore.com/FSA-Eligibility-List/C/Counseling-E186.aspx