Online therapy services are one of the most helpful modern health innovations of our time. Having the option to handle behavioral and mental health issues without the added stress of locating and traveling to an office can increase the statistics regarding mental health care and how many sufferers seek treatment.
Needless to say, we are advocates of the fantastic services patients can receive through reputable online therapy companies. However, we know that the sheer number of names in the game can overwhelm searchers and deter them from actually going through with treatment. That’s why we’ve taken the time to assess these companies and put together price and service comparisons.
If you are looking to start online therapy, two names you will likely come across are LiveHealth and Amwell. Both companies provide online therapy services, but they differ in many ways as well. Read on to see how these two companies compare so that you can make an easy decision about how to treat your mental health issues.
Key Differences Between LiveHealth Online and Amwell
- LiveHealth therapy sessions begin at only $80
- Amwell powers the platform of many online health providers
- LiveHealth may not charge you for cancellations whereas Amwell charges up to $40 for cancellations.
- Amwell can help with therapeutic specialty areas like breastfeeding support.
Comparing the Services Offered
What’s the Same
- Both services accept many major insurances
- LiveHealth and Amwell both have highly rated mobile apps
- You can use all major credit cards to pay for services with either option
- Amwell and LiveHealth both have on-staff therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists
- Neither service requires a monthly fee to use their website. You only pay for your appointments and/or prescriptions.
What’s Different
- LiveHealth Online has a more thorough and informative FAQ section
- Amwell may have more specific therapy options like teen, postpartum, etc.
- LiveHealth costs $80 for a therapy visit (for uninsured patients). Amwell starts at $109 for the same service.
- Amwell powers the websites of many online therapy service providers, including LiveHealth
LiveHealth Online and Amwell are two of the most comparable online therapy services on the market. Part of this might be because Amwell actually powers the platform on which LiveHealth provides their services. So, if you look at each site you might notice a lot of visual similarities. However, they are two separate companies, which becomes clear when looking through their customer service information, prices, and FAQs.
LiveHealth uses a very transparent approach to answering customer questions and discussing offered services. Their cost for therapy, psychology, and psychiatry are impressively low for uninsured patients, and may be even lower for those with insurance. They have 24/7 customer service available for those who need it, though you will need an appointment to see a therapist.
If you’re looking for the ability to communicate with a therapist at any time of day without an appointment, you might want to check out some of the other online therapy services we’ve reviewed.
Amwell also requires appointments for patients, but they tend to have a wider selection of available providers, which means there is a better chance that a therapist can be available on short notice. However, their prices are a bit higher than LiveHealth. A therapy appointment starts at $109 for uninsured patients. They also accept insurance, and actually have one of the longest lists of partnered insurance providers. Most major insurance with mental health care coverage can be used on Amwell’s website.
Making a decision between LiveHealth and Amwell may come down to the specific therapists and psychiatrists they have available in your area. Luckily, sign up is free with both services, so you can easily take a look through their provider lists to make the best decision for you. If you are looking for more information on pricing, take a look at our in depth pricing guides for LiveHealth and Amwell.
The Price Difference – LiveHealth vs. Amwell
Key Takeaways
- Neither service charges monthly fees for access to their websites.
- LiveHealth starts at $80 for a therapy appointment, which lasts about 45 minutes.
- Amwell starts at $109 for a therapy appointment, which lasts about 45 minutes.
- Amwell’s initial cost for a psychiatry appointment is $279.
- LiveHealth’s initial cost for a psychiatry appointment is $175.
- A psychology appointment at Amwell costs $109.
- A psychology appointment at LiveHealth costs $95.
LiveHealth Online Cost
| Type of Service | Sessions | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy | Per visit | $80 |
| Psychology | Per visit | $95 |
| Psychiatry (Initial) | One time | $175 |
| Psychiatry (Follow-Up) | As needed | $75 |
Amwell Cost
| Plan | Term | Initial Visit Cost | Follow-Up Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Therapy (Masters Level) | 1 Session | $109 | $109 |
| Therapy (Doctorate Level) | 1 Session | $129 | $129 |
| Psychiatry | 1 Session | $279 | $109 |
The Bottomline on the Cost Comparison
It can be difficult to compare LiveHealth and Amwell based on cost. Many of their services are fairly evenly and fairly priced. However, there are some areas with pretty distinct differences. For instance, psychiatric services. On Amwell, an initial psychiatric appointment costs $279 without insurance. Each follow up appointment is $109. At LiveHealth, the initial appointment is only $175. Each follow up appointment is $75.
This steep price difference makes LiveHealth the overall best choice for those seeking psychiatric care, online. However, other services are far more even in pricing. A therapy visit at LiveHealth is only $80, where Amwell costs $109. This small difference in price can make other areas of distinction a lot more important!
Both companies are capable of accepting credit and debit card payments online, on the app, and over the phone. They accept all major credit cards, but cannot accept cash, check, or other forms of payment. You may also be able to utilize your insurance plan to cover the majority of your costs. Both sites have a fairly extensive list of accepted insurance providers, but Amwell definitely takes the cake when it comes to just how many insurance providers they partner with. If you are relying on insurance to afford online therapy, you might find Amwell to be the superior option for you.
Who is LiveHealth Online Better For?
- Those looking for the lowest prices available
- Patients who appreciate easy to understand and transparent service terms
- Anyone who likes having access to dozens of helpful articles and videos
- Patients needing psychiatric services at a fair price.
Who is Amwell Better For?
- Those who want to use an older and well-established service
- Patients who want information on very specific therapy services like postpartum, ptsd, etc.
- Individuals who don’t mind paying a little more for a larger pool of available doctors.
- Anyone who wants the best chances of their insurance being accepted for services.
