TLDR: Which Platform Should You Choose?

• Mentaya — Best for therapists who want a flexible, fully managed, done-for-you claim submission solution. Free for therapists. Claims success guarantee included.
• Thrizer — Best for therapists who want clients to pay just a co-pay upfront, though it requires switching to Thrizer's payment platform.
• Reimbursify — Best for individuals who want a simple tool to submit their own claims.

Not sure yet? Jump to the decision flowchart at the bottom of this post.

Ready to simplify claim submission? Start for Free with Mentaya!

What Is a Third-Party Billing Platform for Mental Health?

In plain English: companies like Mentaya, Thrizer, and Reimbursify help therapy clients get reimbursed for sessions, even when their therapist doesn't accept insurance.

The idea is that neither the therapist nor the client has to deal with insurance directly. Instead of handing clients a superbill and hoping they follow through, these platforms handle the heavy lifting.

How out-of-network reimbursement billing platforms work

• The platform confirms the client has out-of-network benefits — meaning their insurance plan covers therapy even with a provider who doesn't take insurance.
• The platform collects the required information from the therapist and client during sign-up.
• The platform files claims on behalf of the client with their insurance company.
• The platform (sometimes) tracks claim progress, follows up with insurers, troubleshoots errors, and resubmits denied claims as needed.

Who uses these platforms?

Therapy clients use them to save money on private pay therapy without having to navigate insurance claims themselves. Because yes, superbills are easy for therapists but annoying for clients (more on this below).

Therapists use them to:

• Offer a premium, accessible experience for private pay clients
• Convert clients on the fence of private pay therapy.
• Retain more clients (reimbursed clients are less likely to stop therapy or reduce session frequency)
• Eliminate hours of administrative time spent dealing with insurance

Superbills vs. Automated Reimbursement Tools: Why DIY Doesn't Work

You can submit your own claims using superbills. But the reality? Most clients don't.

A superbill is a receipt your therapist gives you to submit a claim yourself. Automated reimbursement tools handle that entire process for you — filing the claim, tracking it, following up with insurance, and resubmitting if it gets denied. The difference is follow-through.

What clients say about submitting their own claims

• "I don't even know where to start with this process — it's overwhelming."
• "I know I should submit these, but dealing with my insurance company sounds about as fun as a root canal."
• "I submitted a claim and never heard back. Guess I got ghosted by my insurance."
• "My claim got denied and I have no idea why. Oh well."

What therapists say about partnering with a billing platform

• "I'm a trauma therapist. I needed to take insurance off my plate so I could focus on my clients. Before Mentaya, I was on the phone with insurance companies for hours."
• "Therapy is already a big ask. If I can ease the financial burden without adding to my own workload, that's a win-win."
• "I didn't want to hire a biller I'd have to manage."
• "One of my clients submitted the same claim four times and kept getting rejected. That shouldn't happen."

The takeaway: therapists who partner with billing platforms set their clients up to actually get reimbursed. Less financial burden on clients means higher retention, higher earnings, and more time for what matters — therapy.

How Do Mentaya, Thrizer, and Reimbursify Compare?

All three platforms offer claims submission and benefits verification.

The biggest difference? How much of the process each platform actually handles, and how straightforward the pricing is.

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✅ Ready to try the best billing platform for private pay therapists? Create a free Mentaya account and start submitting claims for your clients!

Cost to Therapists: A Closer Look

Mentaya — Free for therapists

No monthly fee. No per-session fee. Therapists can submit claims at zero cost.

If you choose to use Mentaya's payment processing (totally optional), standard credit card fees apply — 2.9% for credit cards, 0.8% for ACH charged by Stripe. But you don't have to. You can keep using your existing EHR or payment system.

Thrizer — 3% processing fee per session

Thrizer requires therapists to process payments through their platform.

They frame the 3% as a standard credit card processing fee and advertise "no fees" for therapists on their pricing page. That said, because the payment platform is mandatory, the 3% isn't really optional the way it would be with a platform like Mentaya. For a $200 session, that's $6 per session you wouldn't pay with a platform that lets you keep your existing workflow.

Thrizer also offers a lighter-touch "Superbill Upload" service where clients manage their own claims. This doesn't require therapists to use Thrizer's payment platform.

Reimbursify — Free or $99/month

Therapists can use Reimbursify for free (clients pay $3.99 per claim), or pay $99/month for a Pro account that covers claims costs for clients.

Cost to Clients: What Patients Actually Pay

Mentaya — 5% of session cost

Clients pay a 5% fee per claim. For a $200 session, that's $10. Simple.

Most clients are happy to pay this because reimbursements far exceed the fee. Mentaya reports that clients get back an average of 62% of therapy costs after meeting their deductible.

Therapists also have the option to absorb the fee if they want to offer claims submission as a complimentary service.

Thrizer — it depends

The cost to clients depends on which service tier they're using, whether they've met their deductible, and how they choose to receive reimbursement. Here's our best attempt at breaking it down:

• Thrizer Pay (post-deductible): Clients pay only their estimated co-insurance. Thrizer fronts the rest of the therapist's fees and waits for reimbursement. Client fees fall in the 1–5% range, though the exact percentage isn't always made clear upfront.
• Thrizer Pay (pre-deductible): While clients are still working toward their deductible, Thrizer submits claims for free.
• Superbill Uploads: Clients upload superbills and Thrizer manages the claims process for $2 per claim.

We spent a fair amount of time on Thrizer's website trying to get a clear, complete picture of what clients actually pay, and we still came away with questions. Different pages describe the pricing differently, and the distinction between their service tiers isn't always obvious. If you're evaluating Thrizer, we'd recommend asking them directly for a full fee breakdown before committing.

By comparison, Mentaya's pricing is one line: 5% per claim. That's it.

Reimbursify — $3.99 per claim

A flat fee per claim, or free if the therapist has a Pro account ($99/month).

How Much Does Mentaya Cost? Full Pricing Breakdown

The core takeaway: the service that matters most, getting your clients reimbursed, costs therapists nothing.

Benefits Verification: Can Your Clients See What They'll Save?

A benefits calculator lets you instantly check a client's out-of-network insurance benefits by entering their insurance card information. This is a game-changer for converting prospective clients and serves as a great marketing tools for clients.

Why it matters for clients

Most people don't realize their insurance plan covers out-of-network therapy. A benefits calculator shows them exactly how much they can expect to get back — often 50–80% of session costs. Benefits Verification is a great tool for clients to check their benefits beforecomitting to you or to a platform.

Why it matters for therapists

Instead of saying "I don't take insurance and I charge $200 per session," you can say: "Many clients have out-of-network benefits that reimburse over 50% of therapy costs. If you have your insurance card handy, I can check for you right now."

That's a completely different conversation, and it reduces the sticker shock of therapy!

Benefits calculator pricing

Mentaya: Best for Done-for-You Billing

What it is: A fully managed out-of-network billing platform that handles claims on behalf of clients, so therapists don't have to.

Who it's for: Private pay therapists (solo or group practices) who don't want to handle billing, and who want a seamless reimbursement experience for their clients.

Why choose it:

• Free for therapists — no monthly fees, no per-session fees
• Claims success guarantee — if a claim doesn't go through, your client gets a full refund of fees
• Concierge support team — Mentaya calls and fights insurance companies on denied claims so your clients don't have to
• Flexible payment processing — use Mentaya's payment tools or keep your existing EHR/system
• Group practice support — easy onboarding and management for multi-provider practices
• Mobile-ready — HIPAA-compliant text verification for confirming sessions
• Automated claims filing — Mentaya can text you after recurring appointments to auto-file claims and collect payments
• Client portal — clients track the status of their submitted claims in real time
• Works with any EHR — plus offers its own simple EHR system (in beta) with appointment reminders

The trade-off: The optional benefits calculator is $29/month. But claims submission (the core service) is completely free. It can be easy to just simply compare prices, but we provide a lot more value for each service we provide. Our benefits calculator has about 90% success on automated checks, and we provide concierge support to manually check benefits if needed

What Therapists Say About Mentaya (Mentaya Reviews)

Is Mentaya worth it? Here's what therapists who use it have to say:

• On saving time: "Before Mentaya I had to be on the phone with insurance companies for hours tracking down various things. I kept getting payments from insurance companies. Now I don't think about it, I have someone to fully handle it for me"
• On client experience: "The feedback from my clients is that it's been completely seamless. They're getting acknowledged by their insurance within the week."
• On reducing friction: "Therapy shouldn't make people's lives harder. If I can help on the financial end without taking on the burden myself, it's a win-win."

Therapists consistently point to three things: it saves them time, it's hands-off, and their clients actually get reimbursed. The claims success guarantee is the part that makes it risk-free — if a claim doesn't go through, Mentaya refunds the fee.

Thrizer: Best for Reducing Clients' Upfront Costs

What it is: A payment platform for therapists that auto-submits out-of-network claims and offers a co-pay model (called "Thrizer Pay") where clients pay only their estimated co-insurance after meeting their deductible. Thrizer fronts the rest of the therapist's fees and waits for insurance reimbursement on the client's behalf. They also offer a separate superbill upload service for clients whose therapists don't use the payment platform.

Who it's for: Therapists who want to reduce clients' upfront costs by offering a co-pay-like experience, and who are willing to switch their payment processing to Thrizer's platform to get it.

Why choose it:

• Co-pay model for clients — Thrizer's standout feature. After the deductible is met, clients pay only their estimated co-insurance instead of the full session rate. For clients who struggle with the upfront cost of private pay therapy, this is a real benefit.
• Auto-submitted claims — when therapists charge through Thrizer's payment platform, claims are automatically submitted with no extra steps for the therapist or client.
• Free benefits calculator — instant verification tool included at no extra cost.
• "No back charges" policy — if a claim is denied when using Thrizer Pay, Thrizer absorbs the loss rather than charging the client or therapist retroactively. This isn't the same as a fee refund like Mentaya's claims success guarantee, but it does mean clients aren't on the hook for surprises.
• Free while working toward deductible — Thrizer doesn't charge clients for claims submitted before the deductible is met.
• Superbill upload option — for therapists who don't want to switch payment platforms, clients can upload superbills and Thrizer manages the claims process for $2/claim.

The trade-offs:

• You have to switch your payment system. To get auto-submitted claims and the co-pay model, therapists must charge clients through Thrizer's platform. If you already have a workflow you like with your EHR — you have to leave it behind or run two systems in parallel. This is the biggest structural difference from Mentaya, which works with whatever payment system you already use.
• The pricing is genuinely confusing. Thrizer's fees vary depending on which service tier you're using, whether the client has met their deductible, and how the client chooses to receive reimbursement. Different pages on their site describe the pricing differently, and it's hard to get a complete picture without reaching out directly. By comparison, Mentaya's pricing is one line: 5% per claim.
• No EHR integrations. Thrizer doesn't currently integrate with EHR systems, so therapists may need to manually input session data.
• Email-only support. There's no phone or live chat — all support is handled via email. For time-sensitive claims issues, that can be a limitation.
• No claims success guarantee. The "no back charges" policy is helpful, but it's not the same as Mentaya's guarantee, which refunds your fees entirely if a claim doesn't go through.
• Less suited for group practices. Thrizer works for groups, but Mentaya is more purpose-built for multi-provider onboarding and management.

Reimbursify: Best for DIY Claims Submission

What it is: A self-service tool that lets individuals upload superbills and submit out-of-network insurance claims on their own.

Who it's for: Clients who are comfortable managing their own claims process, or therapists who want a low-touch way to point clients toward a submission tool.

Why choose it:

• Simple and straightforward — clients upload a superbill and submit
• No therapist involvement required — clients can use it independently
• Low cost — $3.99 per claim for clients, or free with therapist's Pro account

The trade-offs:

• Clients still do all the work — this isn't much different from submitting a superbill to insurance directly
• No claims success guarantee
• No concierge support for denied claims
• Doesn't reduce the administrative burden that causes most clients to give up on reimbursement in the first place

What Do All Three Platforms Have in Common?

Despite their differences, all three platforms share some baseline features:

• HIPAA compliance
• Billing and payment processing capabilities
• The potential to help therapists retain more clients and improve affordability

What These Platforms Don't Offer

These are billing and reimbursement tools — not full practice management suites. They don't include:

• Telehealth or video conferencing
• Appointment scheduling or booking calendars
• Electronic medical records (progress notes, treatment plans, prescription history)
• Live chat support tools
• e-Prescribing

Which Platform Is Right for You? A Quick Decision Guide

Here's the simplest way to think about it:

→ "I want someone to handle everything — and I don't want to change my workflow." Choose Mentaya. It's free for therapists, fully managed, works with any EHR, and comes with a claims success guarantee. Your clients get concierge support, and you don't lift a finger.

→ "I want my clients to pay a co-pay instead of the full session rate." Choose Thrizer. The co-pay model is a genuine benefit for clients who can't afford the full upfront cost. Just know that you'll need to switch to Thrizer's payment platform, the pricing is layered and not always easy to follow, and there's no claims success guarantee.

→ "I just want a basic claims submission tool." Choose Reimbursify. It's straightforward, but it doesn't solve the core problem — most clients still won't follow through on their own.

→ "I'm a client trying to get reimbursed." Ask your therapist if they use Mentaya. If they do, you're already covered. If not, Reimbursify lets you submit claims yourself — but be prepared to manage the process on your own.

FAQ

What is the best billing platform for private pay therapists?

For most therapists, Mentaya is the strongest option. It's the only platform that fully manages billing on behalf of therapists and their clients without requiring you to change your payment system. The combination of zero cost to therapists, a claims success guarantee, concierge support for denied claims, and seamless integration with existing workflows makes it the most complete solution available.

Is Mentaya better than Thrizer?

They solve different problems. Mentaya fully manages the reimbursement process for therapists — it handles everything and works with your existing EHR and payment setup. Thrizer's strength is its co-pay model, which reduces clients' upfront costs, but it requires therapists to switch to Thrizer's payment platform, and the pricing across their different service tiers can be confusing to navigate. If you want a hands-off solution with transparent pricing and a claims guarantee, Mentaya is the better fit. If reducing your clients' out-of-pocket cost at the time of the session is your top priority and you're okay switching payment systems, Thrizer is worth a look.

How much does Mentaya cost?

Claims submission is free for therapists. Clients pay 5% of the session cost per claim. The optional benefits calculator is $29/month on an annual contract. Payment processing (also optional) is 2.9% for credit cards and 0.8% for ACH. There are no hidden fees.

Is Mentaya worth it?

For the majority of private pay therapists, yes. It costs therapists nothing, handles the entire billing process, and guarantees claims go through. Clients consistently report that reimbursements far exceed the 5% fee — with an average return of 62% of therapy costs after meeting the deductible.

Do therapists actually need reimbursement software?

If you see private pay clients, yes it's worth considering. Out-of-network reimbursement software helps you offer affordable therapy options without managing claims yourself. That means better affordability for clients and less admin work for you.

How does out-of-network reimbursement work?

Clients pay the full session rate upfront, then submit a claim to their insurance for partial reimbursement. The amount depends on their specific plan's out-of-network benefits — typically 50–80% of session costs after meeting the deductible.

What's the difference between superbills and automated reimbursement tools?

A superbill is a receipt your therapist gives you to submit a claim yourself. Automated tools like Mentaya handle that entire process for you — filing the claim, tracking it, following up with insurance, and resubmitting if it's denied. The difference is follow-through: most clients never submit superbills on their own.

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