The Practical Benefits of Online Psychiatry

Virtual healthcare has become increasingly popular as primary care providers and specialists alike search for ways to expand access to medical care without compromising safety or quality of care. Online psychiatry, also called telepsychiatry or virtual psychiatry, is one such way that new technologies are revolutionizing the way people access mental health services.

The mental health care system has grappled with persistent challenges, prompting the need for substantial changes. Despite the awareness of issues like long wait times for psychiatric evaluations, the existing framework has seen little improvement over the decades ¹². These concerns are particularly pronounced in socio-economically challenged urban and rural areas, revealing a broader access problem in the current mental health care infrastructure ¹².

What is Telepsychiatry?

Telepsychiatry is a form of behavioral health care that uses HIPAA-compliant technology to provide remote psychiatric services. It allows patients to receive treatment from psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners without traveling or being physically present in the same room as their provider. Online psychiatry can take many forms, including videoconferencing technology, telephone calls, text messaging, and even email communication.

Online or telepsychiatry is a branch of telemedicine that provides mental health services to individuals through video calls ². Its primary goal is to connect people with virtual psychiatrists, whether they require therapy, medication management, or simply want to understand their condition better ². Telepsychiatry sessions are conducted directly between patients and telehealth psychiatrists through live video or audio calls ².

How Does Online Psychiatry Work?

Easy access to online mental health professionals has created a platform for individuals to receive high-quality and affordable care. Psychiatric nurse practitioners and online psychiatrists prescribe medication, conduct psychiatric evaluations, diagnose mental health conditions, and provide most services that in-person providers can.

Medical information, such as images or videos, can be securely transmitted to enable remote assessment. The rising popularity of mobile health technologies (mHealth), such as smartphone apps and smartwatches, supplements the efforts of telehealth psychiatrists and enhances the accessibility of mental health services ².

What are the Benefits of Telepsychiatry?

There are numerous benefits associated with online psychiatry services:

Improved Access to Care

Telepsychiatry has proven effective in bridging the treatment gap, making it more convenient for patients—especially those in isolated or rural areas—to easily access the mental health services they need ¹⁰. Online psychiatric care eases access to in-network providers by offering greater accessibility, especially for individuals in rural areas, those with mobility issues, or those facing challenges in accessing traditional in-person care. Finding an online psychiatrist can be as easy as a quick online search and making a call.

Flexible Appointment Times

Patients can book appointments with a psychiatric provider at times that suit their schedules, minimizing the necessity of taking time off work and avoiding the hassle of travel.

Privacy and Increased Comfort

Some individuals may find telepsychiatry more comfortable and may be more willing to open up about their mental health history and ongoing struggles from the comfort of their homes. Children and adolescents show particularly high satisfaction, possibly due to their familiarity with technology. Virtual consultations are less threatening for this age group ¹³.

Cost Savings and Efficiency

Some online psychiatry platforms accept insurance, which can lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs. Studies have documented cost savings and efficiency through telepsychiatry, with the VA reporting nearly 500,000 telepsychiatry encounters and significant cost savings in rural settings ¹⁰.

Comparable Effectiveness

Research studies have demonstrated that there is no difference in clinical health outcomes comparing in-person treatment at outpatient clinics to individuals receiving telemental health services ¹⁰.

What Should You Expect From a Telepsychiatry Appointment?

During an initial telepsychiatry appointment, you can expect a thorough psychiatric evaluation from the provider. A psychiatric evaluation usually consists of questions and tests that aim to gauge and consider your medical history, current signs and symptoms, and pattern of functioning. While different online psychiatry providers may operate slightly differently, the psychiatry session will most likely involve discussing your mental health symptoms and how these issues arose. It will also allow for adequate time for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and education regarding psychotherapy and psychiatric medication options available to you.

What Mental Illnesses Can be Treated with Telepsychiatry?

All psychiatrists, including online psychiatrists, are equipped with the necessary tools to diagnose and treat common mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, and any other mental health problems that are negatively impacting a person. Telepsychiatry is provided through interactive audio and video technology to enable psychiatrists to provide timely and accurate support regarding a patient’s mental health needs.

Diagnosis-specific benefits:

Depression

For those dealing with depression, studies show that telepsychiatry, conducted through video calls or webcams, leads to significant improvements in clinical state and satisfaction rates. This form of care is just as satisfying as traditional face-to-face sessions and, in some cases, even more so ⁷.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Telepsychiatry does not compromise a psychiatrist’s competence or the ability to deliver PTSD treatment effectively ⁸. This is crucial, as it provides a feasible option for PTSD treatment without the need for in-person visits.

Particularly significant in primary care settings, one study involving 22 primary care clinicians using telepsychiatry for patients with PTSD in rural or underserved areas demonstrated positive outcomes ⁹. Telepsychiatry not only improved the management of PTSD but also provided an opportunity for clinicians to address both psychiatric and general medical aspects, making care more comprehensive ⁹.

Bipolar Disorder

Telepsychiatry also proves promising for individuals dealing with bipolar disorder. The approach has demonstrated clinical effectiveness and feasibility in time-limited treatment programs, showing increased implementation, sustainability, and acceptance among healthcare providers ⁶.

One notable advantage is the potential enhancement of diagnostic accuracy, providing a more precise diagnosis, especially in challenging cases like bipolar disorder ⁶. The convenience of telepsychiatry, including the elimination of travel-related stress, makes it well-suited for individuals with bipolar disorder, including children ⁶.

Anxiety

Telepsychiatry, specifically videoconferencing psychological therapy, has consistently shown effectiveness in reducing anxiety symptoms across various age groups ³. This approach offers practical applications in primary care settings, addressing geographical disparities and providing mental health care access to both rural and urban populations ³.

Substance Dependence Issues

Telepsychiatry has demonstrated effectiveness in managing psychiatric medications and providing follow-up care for individuals with substance dependence issues ⁵. Video visits enable healthcare providers to monitor medication regimens and offer the necessary assistance, presenting an accessible solution for individuals dealing with substance use challenges ⁵.

Is Telepsychiatry Covered by Insurance?

Online psychiatry has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness. Typically, whether or not your psychiatry appointment is online or in person should have no impact on whether or not the appointment will be covered by insurance. The answer more likely depends on the specific insurance plan you have, if your psychiatrist is in-network with your insurance company and your state’s laws regarding coverage for telemedicine services. Generally speaking, most major health insurers offer coverage for telepsychiatry visits.

Most major health insurers cover the costs associated with online psychiatry visits. However, it’s important to check with your insurer before scheduling an appointment to ensure they will cover all or part of the cost. Additionally, many states have passed legislation requiring private insurance companies to cover telemedicine services like online psychiatry at parity with in-person appointments, meaning they must pay out at least the same amount regardless if it’s done remotely or not.

Telehealth Prescription Regulations

Online psychiatrists are allowed to prescribe controlled substances, however, since the COVID-19 pandemic which loosened regulations, pending legislation might change how patients can receive prescriptions for scheduled substances.

The DEA and Department of Health and Human Services have been working to require in-person appointments for the prescription of scheduled drugs via telehealth, but continue to extend the date in which that would become effective (currently 12/31/2024) after receiving backlash regarding patient access and care standards.

Privacy and HIPAA Compliance

Practitioners and psychiatrists in telemedicine and online psychiatry must follow specific requirements to secure patient information. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, telehealth clinicians must protect identifiable patient data and comply with the Security Rule ¹¹. This involves fully encrypted data transmission, additional authentication through passwords, secure point-to-point connection, private high-speed network, and various safeguards for electronically protected health information ¹¹.

HIPAA compliance in online psychiatry involves specific requirements for safeguarding patient information; these include:

1. Use of HIPAA-Compliant Telehealth Platforms: Psychiatrists must choose telehealth technology vendors to ensure HIPAA compliance; this includes selecting specific versions of platforms, like Zoom, which require a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) signature for HIPAA compliance ¹¹.
2. Security Measures: Online psychiatry must align with the HIPAA Security Rule, incorporating security measures for electronically protected health information (ePHI) ¹¹.
3. Business Associate Agreement (BAA): Online psychiatrists must sign a BAA with the chosen telehealth platform, signifying the platform’s commitment to safeguarding patient information according to HIPAA regulations ¹¹.
4. Patient Data Protection: Online psychiatry platforms must implement robust encryption protocols, secure logins, regular data backups, and strong authentication processes ¹¹.

Get Started with Online Psychiatry

Are you ready to experience the benefits of online psychiatry? Neuro Wellness Spa is here to support you on your journey to improved mental well-being. Our dedicated team of mental health professionals is committed to providing convenient and effective online psychiatric services, tailored to your unique needs and circumstances.

At Neuro Wellness Spa, we understand that every individual’s path to mental wellness is different. That’s why our experienced care team takes a personalized approach to your treatment. When you reach out to us, you’ll find a compassionate group of professionals ready to guide you through a range of treatment options. Whether you’re seeking medication management to help balance your mental health, looking for psychotherapy to develop coping strategies, or interested in innovative treatments like TMS therapy, our team is here to help. We’ll work closely with you to create a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific symptoms and treatment goals.

Contact Neuro Wellness Spa today to learn more about how our online psychiatry services in California can support your mental health journey. Whether you have questions about our approach, want to discuss your options, or are ready to schedule your first appointment, we’re here for you.

References

1. Acierno, R., Gros, D. F., Ruggiero, K. J., Hernandez-Tejada, B. M., Knapp, R. G., Lejuez, C. W., Muzzy, W., Frueh, C. B., Egede, L. E., & Tuerk, P. W. (2016). BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION AND THERAPEUTIC EXPOSURE FOR POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: A NONINFERIORITY TRIAL OF TREATMENT DELIVERED IN PERSON VERSUS HOME-BASED TELEHEALTH. Depression and anxiety, 33(5), 415–423. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22476

2. American Psychiatric Association (n.d.). What is Telepsychiatry? https://www.psychiatry.org/Patients-Families/Telepsychiatry

3. Berryhill, M. B., Halli-Tierney, A., Culmer, N., Williams, N., Betancourt, A., King, M., & Ruggles, H. (2019). Videoconferencing psychological therapy and anxiety: a systematic review. Family Practice, 36(1), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmy072

4. Bouchard, S., Allard, M., Robillard, G., Dumoulin, S., Guitard, T., Loranger, C., Green-Demers, I., Marchand, A., Renaud, P., Cournoyer, L. G., & Corno, G. (2020). Videoconferencing Psychotherapy for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: Outcome and Treatment Processes From a Non-randomized Non-inferiority Trial. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2164. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02164

5. Brown, R. A., Marshall, G. N., Breslau, J., Farris, C., Osilla, K. C., Pincus, H. A., Ruder, T., Voorhies, P., Barnes-Proby, D., Pfrommer, K., Miyashiro, L., Yashodhara, R., & Adamson, D. (2015). Improving access to behavioral health care for remote service members and their families. https://www.rand.org/ content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR500/ RR578z1/RAND_RR578z1.pdf

6. Farrell, A., George, N., Amado, S., & Wozniak, J. (2022). A systematic review of the literature on telepsychiatry for bipolar disorder. Brain and behavior, 12(10), e2743. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2743

7. Guaiana, G., Mastrangelo, J., Hendrikx, S., & Barbui, C. (2021). A Systematic Review of the Use of Telepsychiatry in Depression. Community Mental Health Journal, 57(1), 93–100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00724-2

8. Gude, J., Subhedar, R. V., Zhang, M. H., Jain, P., Bhela, J., Bangash, F., Veluri, N., Hsieh, Y. C., Sheikh, B. Z., Shah, M. R., Mansuri, Z., Aedma, K., Patel, U. K., & Parikh, T. (2021). Emerging Needs and Viability of Telepsychiatry During and Post COVID-19 Era: A Literature Review. Cureus, 13(8), e16974. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.16974

9. Hoeft, T. J., Hall, J. D., Solberg, L. I., Takamine, L. H., Danna, M. N., Fortney, J. C., Shushan, S., & Cohen, D. J. (2023). Clinician Experiences With Telepsychiatry CPost-traumaticare forPost-traumaticc Stress Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), 74(6), 596–603. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202100595

10. Hubley, S., Lynch, S. B., Schneck, C., Thomas, M., & Shore, J. (2016). Review of key telepsychiatry outcomes. World journal of psychiatry, 6(2), 269–282. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v6.i2.269

11. Moran, M. (2023, May 31). HIPAA Compliance for Telehealth to Be Required Again on August 9. https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.07.7.14

12. Schlozman, S. (2021, July 30). Fundamental Changes Are Needed in Mental Health Care. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/grand-rounds/202107/fundamental-changes-are-needed-in-mental-health-care

13. Sharma, G., & Devan, K. (2023). The effectiveness of telepsychiatry: thematic review. BJPsych Bulletin, 47(2), 82–89. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2021.115