Headway vs. Alma: Navigating Digital Platforms for Your Growing Psychotherapy Practice

Have you been scratching your head wondering what the differences are between Headway and Alma? 

They both seem to be a directory of therapists, so you might be wondering…

“Does it matter which I choose?” or “Can I sign up for both?” or “Do I need either?”

Digital products in therapy have become increasingly popular. Clients are also searching for therapists online as their first stop. As a result, therapists have been turning to popular platforms like Headway and Alma.

These products are specifically suited for therapists and mental health professionals. They help with some aspects of practice management, client communication, and administrative tasks. 

So, back to the real question – which is better for therapists looking to grow their private practice? 

Let’s take a closer look. Our comparison of Headway vs. Alma and see if one of these platforms is right for your private practice. 

How can Digital Platforms for Therapists like Headway and Alma Benefit My Practice?

Headway and Alma are both well-established digital platforms for therapists. They both offer different benefits for therapists in private practice. Here are the ways in which they are similar:

Insurance Credentialing

One major advantage is that they both facilitate credentialing with major insurance companies. This feature allows you to expand your client base and ensures seamless reimbursement. 

It's important to note that if you leave Headway or Alma, your credentialed status won't follow you. You’ll have to go through the process of getting credentialed again on your own. 

However, this shouldn't deter you from considering these platforms. They provide a ton of features that can grow your therapy practice quickly. Especially if you’re getting started. 

Automated Eligibility Checks

Headway and Alma both offer automated eligibility checks for clients. This means you can determine if a potential client has insurance coverage. This can save you a lot of time. You won't have to deal with insurance companies and verify client's policies yourself. 

Telehealth Coverage Isn’t Guaranteed

When it comes to insurance and telehealth, it's not one size fits all. Coverage for these services depends on each client's specific policy. While it's not guaranteed, both platforms acknowledge the importance of telehealth. They both work towards maximizing insurance coverage for clients.

Optimized Therapist Directory

Headway and Alma provide directories with therapist profiles. This increases your online visibility and attract potential clients. Additionally, they both prioritize search engine optimization (SEO). This further increases the chances of your profile appearing in relevant search results.

HIPAA Compliance

Both products were created for mental health professionals. As a result, being HIPAA compliant is a must.

Appointment Scheduling

Streamlining administrative tasks is another area where Headway and Alma can help therapists. You don't need to struggle with running your practice. They offer client calendars for easy appointment scheduling. They also send out automated appointment reminders for you. struggling with running their practices. These features help reduce no-shows and keeps your schedule centralized. 

Managing Payments 

Managing payments conveniently is a priority of Headway and Alma. They also enable you to see private pay clients through their portals. This helps to centralize billing. 

Clients can securely store their credit card information in the system. The platforms will automatically bill their card after each session. This eliminates the need for manual payment processing. 

These platforms also allow you to generate superbills for clients. This helps you out by taking away another step in the billing process.

Progress Notes

You don't have to store your progress notes in the platforms, but both give you the option to do so. Either way, you're required to keep them somewhere that is HIPAA compliant. You'll have to easily provide these records in case you get audited. 

Key Features of Headway

We've gone over how Headway and Alma are similar. Now, let's take a look at how these cloud-based platforms are each unique. 

Regular Pay Schedule

Headway guarantees a payout every two weeks, on a regular schedule of the 15th and 30th of every month. If you like to know exactly when you’ll get paid, this could be a good platform for you. You can count on a steady flow of income.

Not Integrated with Telehealth

Now, one thing to keep in mind is that Headway doesn't come with an integrated telehealth platform. If telehealth is a requirement for you, you’ll have to sign up for another service.  

Single State Billing

With telehealth becoming more common, many of us work across state lines. When it comes to billing, Headway doesn't do multi-state billing. If you work across multiple states, you'll have to find an alternative method for billing.

Headway is currently offered in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, and DC

It’s Free, But…

Everything good comes at a cost though. 

They’ve basically done the work for you and negotiated a rate with each insurance company. This ensures you’re getting fair payment for your services. 

There is a set reimbursement amount for each CPT code that is billed. Their way of collecting a fee is by taking a small cut of each payment.

Referrals

Headway claims to provide referrals, but this isn’t the main focus of the platform. Many therapists have reported feeling disappointed in the lack of referrals. If you're hoping to get referral clients solely through their platform, thats not necessarily the case. You'll also have to put in the extra effort elsewhere. 

Luckily, there are plenty of other online directory options available. Major ones like Psychology Today draw in a significant number of potential clients. So, Headway can still be a good option. 

Credentialing Speed

One thing to note about Headway is that their credentialing process can take a bit of time. It can range anywhere from 30 to 120 days for them to get you fully credentialed as an in-network therapist. 

If you're planning to jump on board with Headway, make sure to factor in this timeframe. This way you can be patient knowing they are working on your credentialing behind the scenes. 

Key Features of Alma

Alma has some unique features that benefit therapists.   

Guaranteed Payout 

First things first, they guarantee a two-week payout. This means you’ll get paid within two weeks. Some therapists have reported getting paid just two to three days after a session. This means they're getting paid as soon as the reimbursement comes through.

A Higher Fee, With Perks

Alma offers a monthly or annual subscription. As of the date of this blog post, their rates are $125/month or $1,140 for a year, which is 25% in savings. 

Credentialing Speed

The credentialing process with Alma usually takes up to 45 days. If you're eager to start expanding your client base, keep that timeline in mind. Again, we’ve heard that others have reported getting credentialed faster. It’s possible you could even take on a client within days. 

Multi-State Billing

Unlike Headway, the features of Alma support multi-state billing. If you're licensed to practice in multiple states you can do all of the billing through Alma. That is if Alma is offered in that state. 

Integrated Telehealth

A unique feature to Alma is their integrated telehealth capabilities. They also provide you with a HIPAA compliant Zoom subscription. This is a $199/per user, per year account, for free. You can provide teletherapy while keeping everything secure and confidential in one place. 

Client Referrals

Alma helps to connect you boost your practice by sending you client referrals. These referrals might not be as frequent in cities where there are a large number of providers. For example, New York City has a saturation of therapists. So, it’s still a good idea to put a profile up on PsychToday and other directories. 

Paperless Assessments

Alma also provides paperless assessments, like the GAD-7 and PHQ-9. This helps make it easier for you to get information from yout clients. You don't have to deal with heaps of intake assessment paperwork. This also includes online consent forms and other questionnaires. 

A Community Network

Alma offers a community and support for therapists. They have members-only meetups and events. You can connect with other professionals in the field. They also host forums on the platform. This gives therapists a space to discuss and share insights with others in the field. 

Continuing Education Credits

If you're interested in continuing education, Alma provides some. They offer CEU (Continuing Education Unit) classes through NYU. there's a chance these classes could be part of your membership fee.

Headway vs. Alma, Who is the Winner?

Both Headway and Alma offer valuable features to therapists. The ultimate decision of which is better for your practice and needs  – well, that’s up to you. 

Is integrated telehealth and a Zoom subscription important to you? 

Or, are you more budget conscious, and looking for a free account?

Ultimately, take into consideration your unique requirements and budget. This way you can make an informed decision. 

If you’re a therapist working in multiple states and want to use one platform to handle your private practice needs, then Alma may be the better choice for you. 

If you’re on a tighter budget, work in a single state, and want insurance credentialing and billing taken care of for no fee, then Headway may be the right one for your practice. 

Ultimately, if you decide to be free of therapy platforms, then check out some of our resources on Debunking the Myths of Becoming a Private Pay Therapist. Our free Charge What You’re Worth Fee Calculator, and our professional-level Out of Network Reimbursement Calculator can help. 

For more resources and community support with insurance billing and therapy platforms, check out Clarity Cooperative’s Pro level subscription with a free two-week trial.