If finding the right mental health care has felt like an uphill battle, you may be wondering if you should use telehealth for depression. The answer is a resounding yes, as telemedicine for anxiety and related disorders helps connect you to qualified mental health providers without many of the common hassles.
What Is Telehealth and How Does It Work?
Telehealth is a broad term that refers to the use of technology in medicine, specifically between a patient and a provider physically separated by distance. It provides multiple benefits for patients, particularly those with medical conditions or schedules that make in-person visits challenging. A telehealth connection will typically be scheduled and made through a specialized app or portal on an internet-connected device, such as a webcam-equipped computer or a cell phone.
Should I Use Telehealth for Depression or Anxiety?
Patients struggling with severe anxiety and depression may hesitate or even refuse to leave their home, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. As avoidance of difficult situations is a common symptom for both disorders, any obstacles to care may feel insurmountable to a patient in crisis.
Some depression patients should consider using telehealth for depression, as it minimizes concerns like embarrassment over hygiene issues or overall reluctance to leave the house. Additionally, some anxiety telehealth patients may prefer it to avoid potentially exposing themselves to germs in a medical office setting. Telehealth provides a palatable, easy alternative, ensuring provider access and uncompromised care. The network of providers offering it has also increased substantially in recent years, ensuring the option is widely available. A 2022 American Medical Association survey found that 74.4% of providers surveyed used telehealth in their practices.
Types of Services Available via Telehealth
Telehealth has grown and evolved considerably in the last few years. According to the American Hospital Association, in the last quarter of 2023, 12.6% of Medicaid patients used telehealth for their appointments. The versatile abilities of this care range from primary assessment visits in emergency dentistry to ongoing talk therapy in mental health care.
With the only requirements for most visits being a computer or cell phone, internet and a camera, using telehealth for anxiety or even general medical care is very accessible. In fact, this flexible modality removes some common barriers to care: distance, lack of transportation and even physician shortages.
In the event labs such as blood draws are needed, some telehealth programs work with facilities called virtual visit centers. These centralized physical locations bridge the gap, offering necessary physical tests and the convenience of videoconferencing with providers in convenient on-site booths.
How to Know If Virtual Care Is Right for You
Telehealth can accomplish a great deal of what in-person visits are able to, with the benefit of being easier to schedule around work and childcare schedules. In addition, the Mayo Clinic advises that telehealth is a good alternative to in-person visits for patients with concerns about disability limitations or difficulty with transportation.
That said, you’ll need to be comfortable being on camera and communicating clearly, even about potentially embarassing medical symptoms. If you’re anxious about talking on camera or have concerns about your internet connection or privacy, an in-person visit might be a better option for your needs.
In order to use telehealth effectively, you’ll need the following before your first appointment:
- A steady, reliable internet or cell phone network connection capable of streaming video without slowing down or breaking up.
- A quiet space, preferably a room with a door, where you won’t be interrupted by noise, other people or pets for the duration of your visit.
- If your telehealth provider of choice uses an app or software for visits, you’ll need to be able to download these beforehand and confirm you’re using the most current version.
What to Expect in Your First Telehealth Appointment
Your telehealth provider will need the same type of information an in-person doctor’s office would. They’ll require some form of identification on file, as well as your insurance information and payment method. Your telehealth appointment will typically be conducted through either a smartphone app or an internet browser, which is most often accessed via a laptop or personal computer.
Most telehealth systems will have a method of testing your video and audio, both incoming and outgoing, before your visit with your provider begins. It’s best to arrive in the interface a few minutes early to use these features, especially if it’s your first time using telehealth. Once your provider logs on, they’ll usually begin the visit by starting their camera and greeting you, just like a video call with a family member. For your protection, they may ask for certain identity-confirming information, such as your name and birthday, before getting into any medical concerns.
If you have a complex medical issue or history, you may wish to write out information like symptom timelines or questions about your condition in a notebook beforehand. Having the ability to take notes during your appointment can also be helpful for followup needs and remembering important doctor recommendations.
Accessing Telehealth Through Insurance or Self-Pay
While many health insurance plans cover telemedicine for anxiety and depression as well as routine checkups, you should always confirm your coverage beforehand. This can usually be achieved by reviewing your policy paperwork or calling the patient-focused phone number on your health insurance card. If you don’t have insurance, contact your desired provider’s billing department and request an estimate for a telehealth visit so you can stay informed.
Our Telehealth Services Are Ready to Help
Don’t put off the care you deserve to live a full life. You should use telehealth for depression if you find it difficult to make it into a doctor’s office. If you’re ready to get started on your path to a happier, healthier you, our caring team is here to assist 24 hours a day. Contact us to make your appointment today, and discover the best version of yourself virtually.
