For most adults in South Carolina, the hardest part of getting psychiatric care has been the drive and the wait. Telehealth removes both. If you have never had a video visit with a psychiatric provider, here is what the first one looks like at Hope Behavioral Medicine, from the link in your inbox to the prescription at your pharmacy.
Before the visit
Our office confirms your insurance and sends intake forms and a secure video link ahead of time. You need a phone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and a private place where you can speak freely. There is no software to install. If you are nervous about the technology, call us and a staff member will walk you through it before the appointment.
What happens in the first appointment
The first visit is a full evaluation, not a quick medication check. Plan on 45 to 60 minutes with a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. You will talk through what brought you in, your history, your sleep, your work and family life, any medications you take now or have tried before, and what you want to be different. The goal is a clear picture before anything is prescribed.
Medication and prescriptions
If medication is part of your plan, it is sent electronically to the pharmacy you choose anywhere in South Carolina. Most medications for anxiety, depression, insomnia and ADHD can be started and managed entirely by video. Some medications are regulated more tightly under state and federal rules and may require a periodic in-person evaluation; your provider will tell you up front if that applies to you.
Follow-up visits
Follow-ups are shorter and scheduled around how the medication is working: often two to four weeks after a new start, then less frequently once things are stable. You can message the office between visits with side-effect questions. Counseling, when it is part of your plan, is provided by our licensed therapists and can also be done by video.
Insurance and cost
We accept Medicare, most major commercial plans and all South Carolina Medicaid managed care plans except Select Health, and most plans cover telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits. We verify your coverage before the first appointment so there are no surprises.
Who telehealth is right for
Telehealth works well for the large majority of adults seeking evaluation and medication management. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency department; telehealth is not the right setting for an emergency.
This article is general health information and does not replace advice from your own provider.