The land of Big Tech Therapy has been making headlines. I cover some of them in this episode.
*The links shared below are a reference only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Marie Fang, Private Practice Skills, or its sponsors.
If you’d like a great summary of all that I covered, check out ZynnyMe’s article:
https://www.zynnyme.com/blog/alma-headway-and-the-big-question
If you feel compelled to do something, this r/therapists post links to several options at the systemic level:
https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1tvzpov/support_and_advocacy_for_therapists/
Build Better Health’s Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force’s Petition (if you’d like to sign):
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/we-demand-a-system-that-reflects-the-true-value-of-mental-health-care
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://hubs.la/Q04k58tL0
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
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Citations:
Alma has investments from Cigna and Optum:
https://cignaventures.com/alma-raises-130m-in-series-d-funding-led-by-thoma-bravo-to-advance-its-mission-to-simplify-access-to-high-quality-affordable-mental-health-care/
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the parent company of several Blue Cross Blue Shield programs, invests in Headway:
https://www.hcsc.com/newsroom/news-releases/2023/strategic-investment-headway-behavioral-health
Reference: HCSC is parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield:
https://www.hcsc.com/who-we-are
Rula backed by Blue Venture Fund:
https://bhbusiness.com/2024/09/17/digital-mental-health-platform-rula-health-expands-to-50-states/
Reference: Blue Venture Fund invests on behalf of Blue Cross Blue Shield:
https://blueventurefund.com/
Headway and Alma announce 30 percent cut in Optum Rates, January 2025:
https://clearhealthcosts.com/blog/2024/11/2-digital-mental-health-platforms-cut-pay-rates-for-therapists-with-unitedhealths-optum-stirring-anger/
Aetna cuts rates with Alma-contracted therapists:
https://bhbusiness.com/2026/05/21/aetna-cuts-rates-with-alma-contracted-therapists/
r/therapists megathread on Aetna’s rate cuts through Alma:
https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1tj1bl1/megathread_aetna_alma_reimbursement_changes_90837/
APA urges Aetna to halt rate cuts:
https://updates.apaservices.org/apa--american-psychiatric-association-urge-aetna-to-pause-reimbursement-rate-cuts-for-behavioral-health-clinicians
Aetna Launches Aetna Mental Health on Demand:
https://www.aetna.com/insights/news/aetna-launches-mental-health-on-demand.html
CVS Announces Aetna Mental Health on Demand:
https://www.cvshealth.com/news/condition-management/aetna-launches-aetna-mental-health-on-demand-to-provide-real-time-access-to-care-and-ongoing-support.html
Proof News Article: "Woman’s Talkspace Therapy App Sessions Exposed in Court"
https://www.proofnews.org/womans-talkspace-therapy-app-sessions-exposed-in-court/
FTC Sues Amazon for Monopoly Power:
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/09/ftc-sues-amazon-illegally-maintaining-monopoly-power
Class Action Lawsuit Against Headway:
https://www.classaction.org/news/headway-hit-with-class-action-over-alleged-disclosure-of-patient-info-to-google
Clear Health Costs Article: "Therapists have misgivings on the platforms: Alma, Headway etc. and the business of therapy”
https://clearhealthcosts.com/blog/2025/11/therapists-have-misgivings-on-the-platforms-alma-headway-etc-and-the-business-of-therapy/
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
