Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy in Florida?

The short answer

Many Floridians use insurance for online therapy, but there is no single yes or no. Florida's telehealth laws mostly speak to how providers practice and how insurers and providers agree on payment. Whether your plan pays for therapy by video, and what you owe, is written into your own plan.

This article explains what Florida's official pages say, as general information as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. For a question about your own coverage, your insurer and the state's consumer helpline are the places to ask.

What Florida's telehealth law covers

Florida's main telehealth law is section 456.47 of the Florida Statutes. It defines telehealth as the use of synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology by a telehealth provider to deliver health care services, including assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment and monitoring. It does not include email messages or fax transmissions.

The law applies to a long list of licensed health professions. It says a telehealth provider must practice to the same standard as a professional who sees patients in person in Florida, and that the provider and patient may be in separate locations. Records from telehealth must meet the same standard as in-person records and are confidential.

The Florida Department of Health adds that the 2019 law allows out-of-state practitioners to provide telehealth to patients in Florida only if they register with the Department, while current Florida licensees need no extra license to do so.

What the payment law does and does not say

Section 627.42396 deals with payment. It says a contract between a health insurer offering major medical coverage through an individual or group policy and a telehealth provider must be voluntary, and must set mutually acceptable payment rates or methods for telehealth services. If a contract pays telehealth differently from the same service in person, the provider must initial that provision.

In other words, the section is about the agreement between your insurer and your provider. The text we read does not say that every plan must cover telehealth or must pay for it the same way as an office visit. That is why checking your own benefits matters so much.

Why your type of plan matters

Florida's Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services, says the state does not have jurisdiction over all types of health plans. Its health insurance FAQ points people to different places depending on the plan:

• Individual and group policies and HMO contracts issued in Florida: the Division of Consumer Services can take an insurance concern.
• Medicaid: the Agency for Health Care Administration.
• A self-insured employer plan: the employer first, then the US Department of Labor.
• A self-insured city, county or state plan: the human resources office of that government employer.
• A policy issued outside Florida: the insurance department of the state where it was issued.

Questions to ask before you start

The National Institute of Mental Health suggests confirming with your insurer that telehealth appointments are covered, since policies vary from state to state. A few specific questions can save surprises later.

1. 1Is outpatient therapy covered by video?Ask whether psychotherapy with a licensed clinical social worker is covered, and whether video visits are treated the same as office visits.
2. 2What will I pay?Ask about your copay or coinsurance, whether your deductible applies first, and how in-network and out-of-network costs differ.
3. 3Do I need pre-authorization?Ask whether therapy needs approval in advance or a referral from a primary care provider.
4. 4If something is deniedThe Department of Financial Services says insurers must tell you why a claim or pre-authorization was denied and how to dispute it, through an internal appeal and then an external review.

How we can help

Locascio Wellness is an all-virtual practice, and sessions are by secure video. A therapist on our team is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida who sees adults who are physically in Florida during each session, for anxiety, depression, grief, couples and career or life changes. Our Florida online therapy page has more.

For clients in Florida we are in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare plans, including their related plans. Coverage depends on your plan and the state, so our administrative team verifies your benefits before your first session, and self-pay is available. See our insurance and fees page for how this works, and read about our anxiety therapy and depression therapy.

To get started, book a free 15-minute consultation on our booking page. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services.