Your care is our top priority, so we offer our patients the convenience of video visits on a secure online platform.
This means you can see a psychiatrist securely from the comfort of your own home, office, in inclement weather, while out of town, traveling, if sick or running late! All you need is your desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone, and you get the same quality psychiatric care as in-person visits. Video visits also benefit new and current patients who are in need of care urgently.
Now covered by CIGNA and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Insurance! We offer it to our self-pay patients at no additional charge.
Connect with your psychiatrist in just 3 easy steps:
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Schedule a telepsychiatry appointment in the patient portal and follow instructions on the dashboard (just as with in-person visits)
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Sign our Telehealth consent
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Follow link to the online video platform when it’s time for your appointment
Though video visit is appropriate for many conditions, there are some exceptions including:
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New patients taking or seeking controlled substances (e.g. ADHD stimulant medications, benzodiazepines). By law, controlled substances cannot be prescribed in an online visit unless the patient has been seen at least once in-person which requires an office visit.
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In some circumstances, in-person visits may be required, such as for severely ill patients or patients who may be at risk of harming self or others.
You will be notified if online visit is deemed not to be a suitable option for you so that you can reschedule your appointment to an in-person office visit.
If you have any questions about Telepsychiatry or issues using the online video platform, do not hesitate to give us a call at 202-902-7324. Existing patients please send us a message within the portal.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Telepsychiatry allows you to see a psychiatrist securely from the comfort and privacy of your own home for evaluation and treatment of most behavioral health disorders. You can access this through our online patient portal. It is similar to using Facetime or Skype but on a HIPAA-compliant online video platform designed for doctor visits.
American Psychiatric Association (APA) Policy on Telepsychiatry
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/telepsychiatry
“Telemedicine in psychiatry, using video conferencing, is a validated and effective practice of medicine that increases access to care. The American Psychiatric Association supports the use of telemedicine as a legitimate component of a mental health delivery system to the extent that its use is for the benefit of the patient, protects patient autonomy, confidentiality, and privacy; and when used consistent with APA policies on medical ethics and applicable governing law.”
You only need a computer with a webcam and microphone, tablet or smartphone, and internet access.
Yes, telepsychiatry is covered just as in-person office visits by many insurance such as Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), CIGNA, United Health Care and Aetna. Please note that we only take BCBS and CIGNA insurance, so we will file claims on your behalf if you have one of these. You will still have to pay your co-pay and/or deductible if applicable at time of visit.
If you have other insurance, we are considered out of network provider. You can submit claims to your insurance yourself for reimbursement if you have out of network benefits, we will provide you with a billing statement/invoice to attach to your claims form.
Telepsychiatry visits are the same length as office-based visits. Initial new patient appointment is 1 hour. Follow up visits are 30 minutes.
Telepsychiatry visits cost the same as office-based visits. At this time, our rate for self-pay patients are:
- Initial new patient appointment, 1 hour – $300
- Follow up visits, 30 minutes – $175
Yes, we protect patient privacy, confidentiality and keep information secure regardless of appointment format. Our video visits are held on a secure, HIPAA-compliant online platform such as Doxy.me or Zoom.
Your psychiatrist can send prescription for your medication electronically to your pharmacy of choice.
All psychiatric medications except controlled substances can be prescribed at the initial new patient appointment.
Controlled substances are certain medications that are potentially addictive and abused. According to federal law (The Ryan Haight Act of 2008), these medications can only be prescribed in an online visit if the psychiatrist has seen you at least once in-person.
Examples of controlled medications include:
- Benzodiazepines – used for anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disorders, tremors, and seizures: Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium, Restoril, Valium, and Librium
- Hypnotics – used for insomnia: Ambien, Ambien CR, Lunesta, Sonata, Belsomra
- Stimulants – used for ADHD/ADD, depression, fatigue, narcolepsy, cognitive issues: Adderall, Dextroamphetamine, Methylphendiate, Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, Vyvanse, Dexedrine, Provigil, and Nuvigil
- Opioids, used for pain control; not usually prescribed by psychiatrist, except medications used to treat opioid addiction such as Suboxone.
Yes you can.
Yes you can, as long as the psychiatrist is licensed in the state where you are physically located. Please visit the ‘About’ section of the website for more information about our psychiatrists.
Currently, we can only provide online access to psychiatric care while a patient is in the United States.
