My Psychiatrist Is Leaving/will Work Remotely. Anyone Do This?

[Panda Bear]

Found out last night that my Psyciatrist is leaving the group practice she belongs too. Her husband has been looking to relocate for quit sometime, but since the practice didn't have a psyc to replace her, she's pushed it back until now.

She told me they are working to set up a teleconference system so she can continue to see a handful of patients, remotely. Me being one of them(I'm low maintenance).

Does anyone else see a provider this way? My guess is that I will go into the office and see her via the system they are setting up. Not like online therapy.

I don't want to loose her, but she is moving 3hrs away....

 

[Deleted member 33880]

I would be so happy if my therapist (who has announced he is retiring early) would do this for me. I would give it a go. I know someone who has had weekly therapy this way for 15 years and she says it really works for her.

 

[Panda Bear]

I'm hoping it all works out, I see her today and it would be nice if she had more details about how the remote part will work.

Mostly, how will they bill insurance and if they can at all. Since the set up will be in the office(not in my home) and this is a large practice(not a private pay set up), it's my hope that insurance will be involved. I couldn't pay her otherwise.

 

[Deleted member 33880]

Well it seems that since she is still part of the same office, the same insurance rules could apply. Tell us how it goes.

 

[Higgins]

Hi,
IDK how it's going for you, but I've done this and over time it became no good. I think a lot of it depends on the type of help you need. If it's just talk related stuff, then it can be ok, but if it's a heavier need, there are issues with teleconferencing. Things like delays in signal, that they can't totally read you and your body language, basically the same issues that make a phone call or skype not as meaningful as being in person. Good luck though, I hope it works out.

 

[Panda Bear]

I have a talk therapist(LPC) that I see in person. The Psyciatrist is helping me manage meds and a few other small isuses that involve my son who has special needs. I don't need her to read body language and stuff like that. Just talk meds, check in with how my regular therapy is going and make sure I'm alright. We already mostly email about issues that arise in between sessions. Especially since she currently only works in office 2x a week.

She warned me that kinks will happen and it's new for all of us. We have a wrap up in person session next month to discuss how the transfer will take place.

I'm hopeful, she's a brilliant Psyciatrist and I really like her.