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Understanding telepsychiatry

Understanding telepsychiatry

You’ve probably heard the words telepsychiatry, telemedicine and telehealth floating around a lot lately. Maybe a few of you have already used these services, or maybe you don’t know much about them.

Reviewed by:
Austin Lin, MD
|
View bio
March 21, 2020
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Key takeaways

You’ve probably heard the words telepsychiatry, telemedicine and telehealth floating around a lot lately. Maybe a few of you have already used these services, or maybe you don’t know much about them. As the healthcare system starts to incorporate more and more technology, it becomes difficult to keep up.  So, let's unpack exactly what telepsychiatry is, how it works, and why it could be useful for you. 

What is telepsychiatry?

Telepsychiatry is part of the broader concept of telemedicine. Telemedicine simply means that a healthcare visit you would normally have with a healthcare provider in person, takes place remotely over technology. Typically, we see the use of videoconferencing over a HIPPA approved technology platform. In some cases, it could be consultation over the phone, but here, we’ll focus mostly on videoconferencing. Telepsychiatry (or telepsych) is really just telemedicine that focuses on psychiatry or mental health, specifically. 

How does it work?

You set up an appointment time with your provider. You would then use your internet connected device (either smartphone or computer) to meet virtually with your provider at the appointment time. The provider might then start your session by confirming your name and current location, as well as an emergency contact. As we all know, technology isn’t without its glitches. So, in case you get disconnected, your provider will give you a backup phone number where you can continue your session. You can expect your provider to appear just as professional as they would if you were meeting in person. Also worth noting, is that many insurances will cover telemedicine visits under your plan. 

The session

During the session, your provider will likely be positioned closely in front of the computer, with the camera at eye level. And typically, you would position your device similarly. There is so much that a provider can understand about you from your expression and body language. That's why having the ability to clearly see you during the session is so important. The confidentiality of your session might be a concern to you.  But the provider is required to ensure that the session is private and can't be heard by other individuals in the surrounding area. This is the same practice provider would have in a face-to-face session. And even though you're receiving your treatment through a screen, you can expect the same quality during a telepsych session with your provider as you would have in person. 

Why could telepsychiatry be helpful for you?

In some parts of the country mental health services are harder to come by. A video call might be the only way some patients have ever received mental health treatment. However, telepsychiatry isn't just for for those who don't have easy access to in person treatment. It provides a level of flexibility that allows so many people much greater access to treatment. Typically, your provider is required to practice in the same state where the session is held, but that can still allow for improved patient access.

Some examples...

There are some scenarios that would provide a better fit for a telepsych appointment than a traditional appointment. Let's think about a few here. You have 45 minutes during your lunch break, and it is the only time you can squeeze in an appointment. Having a telepsychiatry session is probably much more feasible than taking a trip to the provider’s office. Or, consider your baby is taking a two hour nap, and you can’t get a babysitter in order to go to your mental health appointment. That’s okay - you can do a telepsych session instead. Or, if you happen to find yourself unable to leave your home for weeks at a time, for whatever reason. You still have options!

A note on HIPPA approved technology platforms: The department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently changed their rules about which types of platforms are approved for the use to telemedicine services. However, it's unclear if this regulation will change again in the future.

Talkiatry and telepsychiatry

Providing you with complete mental health care is Talkiatry's focus. This includes a variety of technology based tools to meet your needs. We pride ourselves on being a real, local team of providers and if telepsychiatry is what you need at this time, we're here for you.

About Talkiatry

Talkiatry is a local, accessible and complete mental healthcare solution that accepts insurance. We close the gap for individuals who want to get better, but feel that mental health care has been challenging to navigate up until this point and want a more convenient way to take the first step. Talkiatry takes the traditional local mental health visit and combines it with technology, scale, efficiency, and design to provide the best possible environment for healing.

Talkiatry is a mental health practice, and our clinicians review everything we write. However, articles are never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may need mental health help, talk to a psychiatrist. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Talkiatry take my insurance?

We're in-network with major insurers, including:

  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Humana
  • Medicare
  • Oscar
  • United Healthcare
  • Optum
  • Compsych

Even if your insurer isn't on the list, we might still accept it. Use the insurance eligibility checker in our online assessment to learn more.

Can I get an estimate of my visit cost?

The best way to get a detailed estimate of your cost is to contact your insurance company directly, since your cost will depend on the details of your insurance.  

For some, it’s just a co-pay. If you have an unmet deductible it could be more.  

Call the number on your insurance card and ask about your plan’s coverage for outpatient psychiatric services.

How does Talkiatry compare to face-to-face treatment?

For most patients, Talkiatry treatment is just as effective as in-person psychiatry (American Psychiatric Association, 2021), and much more convenient. That said, we don’t currently provide treatment for schizophrenia, primary eating disorder treatment, or Medication Assisted Treatment for substance use disorders.

What kind of treatment does Talkiatry provide?

At Talkiatry, we specialize in psychiatry, meaning the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Your psychiatrist will meet with you virtually on a schedule you set together, devise a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and preferences, and work with you to adjust your plan as you meet your goals.

If your treatment plan includes medication, your psychiatrist will prescribe and manage it. If needed, your psychiatrist can also refer you to a Talkiatry therapist.

What's the difference between a therapist and psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are doctors who have specialized training in diagnosing and treating complex mental health conditions through medication management. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or similar, a psychiatrist may be a good place to start.  

Other signs that you should see a psychiatrist include:  

  • Your primary care doctor or another doctor thinks you may benefit from the services of a psychiatrist and provides a referral    
  • You are interested in taking medication to treat a mental health condition  
  • Your symptoms are severe enough to regularly interfere with your everyday life

The term “therapist” can apply to a range of professionals including social workers, mental health counselors, psychologists, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychoanalysts. Working with a therapist generally involves regular talk therapy sessions where you discuss your feelings, problem-solving strategies, and coping mechanisms to help with your condition.

Who can prescribe medication?

All our psychiatrists (and all psychiatrists in general) are medical doctors with additional training in mental health. They can prescribe any medication they think can help their patients. In order to find out which medications might be appropriate, they need to conduct a full evaluation. At Talkiatry, first visits are generally scheduled for 60 minutes or more to give your psychiatrist time to learn about you, work on a treatment plan, and discuss any medications that might be included.

About
Austin Lin, MD

Dr. Austin Lin is a double board-certified adult and addiction psychiatrist who has been in practice for over 9 years. At the center of Dr. Lin’s clinical approach is a strong emphasis on establishing trust and using a collaborative approach to help patients develop an individualized and cohesive plan so that they are able to achieve their goals.

Dr. Lin's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, he offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy, motivational interviewing, and/or cognitive behavioral therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Occasionally, Dr. Lin may recommend that additional therapy is needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team in order to provide the best outcome.

Dr. Lin received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. He went on to complete his residency in psychiatry at Harvard South Shore, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, where he served as Chief Resident and earned his 360° Professionalism award. He then had additional training in Addiction Psychiatry through his fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. After completing training, Dr. Lin has worked as an Addiction Psychiatrist and Director of Adult Services in the Trauma and Resilience Center (TRC) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). He specialized in treating patients with a history of depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders.

Dr. Lin has held an academic appointment at UTHealth, and he has spent his professional career supervising and teaching medical students and psychiatry residents.



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