Need a therapist? Try Telemedicine
If your clients need a therapist try telemedicine for counseling and other Mental Health services. Telemedicine, also known as Telehealth, is on the rise and re-shaping the healthcare landscape. And there is no place that telehealth can have more of an impact on than with behavioral health. Even though 46.6 million Americans experienced mental illness in 2017, nearly 60% of them did not receive any mental health services. This significant lack of behavioral healthcare services has devastating social and economic consequences. Mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings every year.
Primary care and other physical health providers quickly adopted telemedicine. In contrast, behavioral health providers lag behind on adopting telemedicine. To help fill this need, healthcare technology companies are stepping up to offer online mental health services, such as therapy, to overcome barriers of cost, time, and stigma. Teladoc, for example, offers both primary care and behavioral health virtually. These efforts are starting to increase access to mental healthcare for more Americans.
How Teladoc Works for Behavioral Health
For this example, we use Teladoc to schedule a therapy session. To get started your clients can either a) download the Teladoc app on their phone or iPad, b) go to their website at www.teladoc.com or c) call 1-800-Teladoc for assistance. Fill out a brief medical history, just like you do at a doctor’s office.
Tip: We found the easiest method was to start on Teladoc’s website from a computer and then download the app later when our account was all set up.
Since this article is about receiving Behavioral Health through telemedicine we will focus on obtaining a therapist through Teladoc. But keep in mind Teladoc offers primary care too. Their doctors and specialists can help you with the illness, infections, prescriptions, skin conditions or offer expert advice wherever you are by phone, video or app.
Once your account is all set up request a visit, which is very simple to do on the app. 
- Open the Teladoc App and select “request a visit”.
- Select the family member who needs help and select the state you are in.
- To connect with a therapist, make sure to choose Behavioral Health
- In order to match with the best therapist, answer a series of mental health-related questions. You can also select if you prefer a male or female therapist.
- A list of providers populate. You can filter this list even more by selecting the filter icon. (see picture)
- After choosing a therapist, select a day/time that works best for you and if you prefer a phone call or video call.
- Within minutes a licensed therapist will send notification (by email or text) to confirm the appointment.
Tip: Opt into notifications so you will receive reminders about upcoming doctor visits.
Share this with your clients
The need to provide mental health service that is integrated with primary care is evident. We encourage you to share Telehealth services, such as Teladoc, with your clients. Confidential, judge-free, guilt-free counseling by phone or video is at their fingertips. And it just might help them take the first step towards feeling better. If their health insurance carrier uses Teladoc, such as Ambetter, their appointment could be free (depending on their plan, of course).
Agents
Empower Brokerage is dedicated to helping you educate your clients on the insurance they need to get the most out of life. Whether it’s through webinar training, one-on-one calls, seminars, or marketing plans. We want you to be successful. Give us a call if you have any questions 888-539-1633.
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