Telepsychiatry is psychiatric care delivered by secure video, and sometimes by phone, instead of in an exam room. It covers the same services as an office visit: initial evaluations, diagnosis, medication management, follow-up and supportive therapy. Research over the past two decades, and the large shift to video during the COVID-19 pandemic, found that outcomes, diagnostic accuracy and patient satisfaction are comparable to in-person care for most outpatient conditions. For people with anxiety, limited mobility, long commutes or demanding schedules, it often means care actually happens rather than being postponed.
Some rules apply. Your provider must be licensed in the state where you are physically located during the visit, so Stedfast Psychiatry telehealth is available to patients in Florida and South Carolina. Controlled substances such as stimulants and benzodiazepines can be prescribed by telehealth under current federal and state rules, though an in-person visit may be required in some situations and plans can change. Insurance, including Medicare, generally covers telepsychiatry at the same rate as office visits for mental health. You need a private space, a reliable connection and a phone or computer with a camera. Certain services cannot be done remotely: Deep TMS and Spravato require you to be in the office, and some evaluations, such as those involving physical exam findings, are better in person. Many Stedfast patients combine the two, using video for routine follow-ups and visiting an office when needed.