Amazon Health Services has teamed up with online behavioral healthcare provider Talkspace to expand access to mental health services.
This partnership allows people to find and sign up for Talkspace's therapy services using their health insurance, often with no extra cost or a small copay, according to a Sept. 17 news release. For instance, Amazon customers searching for terms like "stress relief," "family therapy," or "sleep help" can check their eligibility for therapy and psychiatry services on the platform.
By visiting the Amazon Health webpage, users can also confirm whether their insurance covers Talkspace and learn more about its mental health offerings. Eligible individuals are then directed to Talkspace's website, where they can enroll, get matched with a licensed therapist, and schedule live therapy sessions via audio, video, or chat, or engage in asynchronous messaging with their therapist.
The average copay for a virtual therapy session is around $15, but actual costs can vary depending on an individual's insurance plan, according to the release.
Talkspace has more than 5,000 therapists across 50 states and serves more than 150 million people. The company is the first virtual mental health provider to join Amazon Health Services.