Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:17:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2020 13:55:36 GMT
www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/telehealth-taking-center-stage-to-treat-behavioral-health-needs-amid-covid-19-outbreak"As more Americans are urged to stay at home amid the COVID-19 crisis, it’s not just physical health that’s going largely digital—it's behavioral health, too. Social distancing can go against some of the key advice for treating behavioral health disorders, such as spending time with loved ones and getting outside, said Shilagh Mirgain, Ph.D., a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services waived certain payment requirements to ease access to telehealth in Medicare, and major national insurers are waving copayments and cost-sharing for telehealth visits related to COVID-19. As such, people seeking psychiatric care are also logging on for video visits in large numbers. Aetna is among the plans covering behavioral visits through telehealth, said Cara McNulty, president of Aetna Behavioral Health. The insurer is also working in some states to expand access to mental healthcare." A possible good outcome of Covid. Healthcare has moved faster in the past eight week in this space than in years prior. Telehealth is critical in making behavioral health care more accessible, It might not work for everyone, but it should be able to work for anyone who finds it helpful. Behavioral health doesn't have to be confined to face-to-face visits just because a guy in Vienna did it that way 100 years ago.
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Post by jeremysgirl on May 8, 2020 13:59:56 GMT
As someone who requires psychiatric care I have to say that I wish I could have telemedicine visits especially when I am feeling good. It would be a nice option. However, my DS had a telemedicine visit and I was charged $36 for it. When my co-pay is $20. So in total I paid $56 for a visit that would normally cost me $20 because my insurance does not cover telemedicine visits.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:17:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2020 14:08:53 GMT
As someone who requires psychiatric care I have to say that I wish I could have telemedicine visits especially when I am feeling good. It would be a nice option. However, my DS had a telemedicine visit and I was charged $36 for it. When my co-pay is $20. So in total I paid $56 for a visit that would normally cost me $20 because my insurance does not cover telemedicine visits. I have two friends who work in healthcare in fairly high positions - one in private med and one in public med. BOTH agree, this will be changing. |
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Post by peano on May 8, 2020 14:16:09 GMT
My insurance company does pay for telemed mental health services, and I have had 2 appointments so far. It's better than a kick in the butt I suppose, but I hate it (lack of immediacy and emotional connection, dropped calls--my session yesterday disconnected at LEAST 6 times, etc.) Obviously if you're just going for med checks, that's one thing. But if you're doing deep growth work, it sucks.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,025 
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on May 8, 2020 14:37:42 GMT
I have used telehealth through my insurance provider prior to this and once with my kids' pediatrician since. It is $5 through my insurance and my regular $40 copay through the pediatrician. I don't like that there is such a large discrepancy in cost making it less likely people would go to their primary care physician. Obviously that is my situation and not how all insurance works for others, which is another beef of mine.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on May 8, 2020 14:46:19 GMT
I provide telehealth services. Some clients do well with it and others (most) don’t. I could see it working better for psychiatry than for therapy, however. It is very difficult to see clients (either due to how they are holding their phone, walking around or being otherwise engaged in household things) and to pick up on their body language, moods, etc. I also feel that the clients aren’t as engaged. It is better than nothing, but IMO, it doesn’t take the place of other modes of therapy.
Right now many insurance companies have approved telehealth for a temporary period of time due to Covid-19 but we will see how long that approval lasts.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 4,209
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Post by peppermintpatty on May 8, 2020 15:33:27 GMT
I have BCBS through Anthem and all tele visit copays and deductibles are waived. While it is nice to not have to pay the $45 copay for a specialist (which ia all of my doctors except 2) and to not have to pay the $25 copay for mental health through June 10, I miss being able to sit and talk to my therapist in person. The other thing is that because my entire family is here, I tend to be more reserved and really quiet when I am talking because even though I am in my office, you could hear me if you just stop outside my door. Even with a noise machine or fan going. If I can have these without others being so close to me then I would be okay with that but right now, not so much.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 4,209
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Post by peppermintpatty on May 8, 2020 15:34:38 GMT
I provide telehealth services. Some clients do well with it and others (most) don’t. I could see it working better for psychiatry than for therapy, however. It is very difficult to see clients (either due to how they are holding their phone, walking around or being otherwise engaged in household things) and to pick up on their body language, moods, etc. I also feel that the clients aren’t as engaged. It is better than nothing, but IMO, it doesn’t take the place of other modes of therapy. Right now many insurance companies have approved telehealth for a temporary period of time due to Covid-19 but we will see how long that approval lasts. This is exactly what I stated as well. It's fine for checking in and med checks but I don't think it works for actual therapy. |
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
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Post by pridemom on May 8, 2020 16:00:57 GMT
I live in a rural community. The local mental health agencies have used tele-health for years. Clients go to the agency and the psychiatrist visit is done remotely because we have a shortage of providers.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,664
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on May 8, 2020 16:07:12 GMT
My son is continuing to meet with his therapist by telemedicine, and currently TRICARE has waived our $30 copay. He says it’s going well for him.
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