HealifyNow vs CertaPet: Which ESA Letter Service Is Right?

HealifyNow provides some of the services discussed in this article. Our content is written to inform, and clinical decisions are always made by a licensed clinician.

When living in rented accommodation where there is a ban on pets, an ESA letter could make all the difference between retaining your pet and losing your accommodation. There are many online companies providing such letters, two of which are mentioned often: CertaPet, a popular company, and HealifyNow, a relatively new telehealth service.

In both cases, the process of attaining a license is through an online licensed mental health practitioner. The only difference lies in terms of cost, when payments are made, speed, and additional features offered aside from the letter.

Quick Comparison: HealifyNow vs CertaPet

First, What Does an ESA Letter Actually Do?

An emotional support animal provides companionship to provide you with support. They do not require training and can be a dog, cat, rabbit, or even a bird. ESA letters are certifications written by licensed professionals which say that state you are mentally ill and the animal is helping you cope.

With the Fair Housing Act, an ESA letter will allow you to:

• Live with your animal in pet-free homes, HOAs, or college housing
• Not pay pet rent, pet deposit, or face restrictions due to the type of animal or weight restrictions

ESA letters do not provide you with access to restaurants and other public places. You also remain responsible for any damage caused by your animal. There is no such thing as an ESA registry, so anyone trying to sell you one or ID cards is scamming you.

HealifyNow

HealifyNow is a telehealth company providing its services across all 50 states and DC. The ESA service of HealifyNow operates on a single concept: book free and pay if you qualify.

The steps involved are as follows:

• Book Free: Complete a brief confidential questionnaire (about 5 minutes).
• Meet a Clinician: Evaluation by a licensed clinician on the phone or video (takes about 5-10 minutes).
• Your Letter: If approved, pay the fee and get your signed letter via a secure email (usually delivered in about 10 minutes).

The cost of service is the same for all states: $129 for up to two pets and $199 for three pets or more. No charge if a clinician determines that an ESA is not clinically appropriate for you.

California users: According to California state law, there must be a 30-day provider-client relationship. You will receive a letter of intent after your first phone call and your full ESA letter after the day 30 call.

CertaPet

CertaPet is an established provider in the ESA letters field and is among the well-known brands. This is a telemedicine company that connects you with an LMHP from its network.

Here’s how it works:

• Pre-screening. A short multiple-choice questionnaire (takes 5 minutes) determines your suitability for the particular professional.
• Pay and consult. You choose a plan, make a payment, and get a 15-minute consultation.
• Receive your letter. In case of approval, the letter will be ready for download. Physical copies of the document are delivered within 2-3 business days.

As per ConsumerAffairs, CertaPet will charge you $149.99 for the housing or travel letter and $199.99 for both letters, while renewal is either $99 or $149. The company provides payment plans for American residents and serves Puerto Rico and certain Canadian provinces.

Head-to-Head: Where They Differ

1. Price and Payment Timing

The cost of the ESA letter from HealifyNow begins at $129, which is about $20 less compared to CertaPet’s average of $149.99 for the housing letter. However, the bigger factor is payment – at HealifyNow, you’ll pay only after being approved by the clinician. At CertaPet, you make payment before the consultation; and if you get denied, you will get your money back.

2. Speed

Both services are quick, but in different ways. The process at HealifyNow is designed for same-session results – an assessment followed by the issuance of a letter in just ten minutes. At CertaPet, the letter will be ready once you’ve been approved, but according to ConsumerAffairs, it may take you two business days to schedule the consultation.

3. Pets Covered

With HealifyNow, coverage is available for two pets at $129 and three or more at $199. On the other hand, CertaPet seems to limit the number of ESAs to two per individual patient and also charges for a second-animal assessment. In case there are more than two animals, it seems like HealifyNow is easier to follow.

4. Clinicians and Evaluation Quality

The two companies employ licensed professionals, which is all that should be considered. The main argument that a landlord may have when considering your letter is that it comes from an actual clinician who evaluated you. With HealifyNow, the letter writers are identified (they are a physician and a licensed clinical social worker). CertaPet employs a network of LMHPs, matched depending on your state and condition. Customer reviews for CertaPet indicate satisfaction with the quality of their therapists.

5. Travel Letters

CertaPet provides a travel ESA letter. After the U.S. Department of Transportation revised its regulations in 2021, most airlines consider ESAs as regular pets, and thus a travel letter is practically useless. HealifyNow does not provide any of them, and for air travel with a trained dog, they provide PSD letters ($149).

6. Extras and Support

CertaPet provides discounts on renewals, payment plans, and assistance with other forms needed ($49.99 and above). HealifyNow has clinician support in case your landlord challenges your letter and also provides PSD letters along with other telehealth services.

Who Should Choose HealifyNow?

• You want to pay only if approved
• You need your letter the same day
• You have three or more pets
• You want a lower upfront price at $129

Who Might Prefer CertaPet?

• You live in Canada or Puerto Rico
  You want a monthly payment plan
  You like an established brand with a long track record
  You want help with extra housing paperwork

How to Spot a Legitimate ESA Letter Service

Either way, be wary of these warnings:

• Immediate acceptance without any assessment. A genuine letter should involve an actual consultation with a licensed professional.
• “Registration,” certificate, or badge. None of them is mandatory.
• Unbelievably low price. A letter costing around $50 could be a sign that the letter is just a template, and the landlords won’t accept it anymore.
• Lack of a named or licensed professional. The letter should provide information about the provider’s license.
• Claims about the right to public transport or flights. ESAs lack these privileges.

The Bottom Line

CertaPet and HealifyNow both provide real telehealth evaluations. CertaPet may be your best option for flexibility with payments and recognition. But if you need an affordable and pay-only-if-approved option, HealifyNow’s offering of only $129 and receiving the letter within minutes cannot be matched by any other provider.

In any case, opt for a service providing a real evaluation by a licensed clinician, because this will help you avoid any problems with your landlord.
Ready to get started? Book your free consultation with HealifyNow. You only pay if your letter is approved.

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