More and more people are turning to telemedicine, a type of medical appointment that allows doctors to meet with patients through a secure video call or by phone. In fact, more than a third of U.S. adults reported using telemedicine in 2021.
Online medication management gives patients a safe, convenient way to review prescriptions and stay on top of treatment without the barriers of travel or scheduling conflicts. Keep reading to learn how you might be able to benefit from these services.
What is Medication Management?
Medication management is when you and a provider review your mental and physical health to determine the best course of pharmacological treatment. The provider looks at your history, current diagnoses, and any medications you’ve tried in the past. They may also review records and notes from other doctors to ensure your treatment doesn’t interfere with other aspects of your healthcare.
From there, you and your mental health prescriber work together to decide what medications may be the best fit. They’ll consider what will effectively address symptoms as well as potential side effects and how your overall health will be affected.
What Kind of Medication is Prescribed?
The type of medication depends on the diagnosis and the unique needs of the patient. In many cases, providers prescribe:
- Antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs)
- Anti-anxiety medications (buspirone or benzodiazepines)
- Mood stabilizers
- Antipsychotics
- ADHD stimulants
Providers usually start with first-line medications, and if those don’t work well, other medications can be considered. Some controlled substances, like stimulants or benzodiazepines, may require an in-person visit and close monitoring. An online doctor will let you know what’s possible virtually and what needs to be handled in person.
Who Should Consider Online Medication Management?
Online medication management can be a good option for people who struggle to get psychiatric care. In many parts of the country, seeing a psychiatrist isn’t easy. More than half of U.S. counties have no practicing psychiatrists at all, with rural areas hit the hardest.
It can also help people who are already working with a therapist but need a provider to prescribe or adjust medication. Regular check-ins online make it easier to stay on track without missing work or spending hours and money traveling to appointments.
While online care is a good way to manage chronic mental health conditions like depression, it’s not meant for psychiatric emergencies. If you are thinking of harming yourself or are having suicidal thoughts, call 9-1-1 or go to your local emergency room.
Why is Medication Management Important?
Medication management ensures treatment is safe and effective. Without oversight, patients may stop taking their prescriptions, miss doses, or continue on a plan that isn’t working. Managing medications reduces those risks by creating regular check-ins between provider and patient. This routine follow-up also improves adherence, which directly improves patient outcomes.
What Are The Benefits of Online Medication Management?
Online medication management makes it easier for you to stay connected to your provider. If you’re dealing with side effects or a medication isn’t working, you don’t have to wait weeks for an in-person slot to open up. A virtual appointment ensures there aren’t any lapses in treatment.
Accessibility is another major advantage, as previously mentioned. Online care removes the barriers of travel, time off work or school, or finding childcare. Sessions can happen from home in a private and comfortable environment, which always makes people more likely to keep their appointments. Research shows that telepsychiatry has significantly lower no-show rates than traditional office visits.
There’s also growing evidence that pairing online medication management with therapy can improve outcomes for conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and OCD. For example, antidepressants plus cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be more effective in the short and medium term than medication alone.
Is Online Medication Management Safe?
Yes. In many cases, online prescribing can actually reduce risks. Electronic prescriptions are sent straight to the pharmacy, which helps prevent errors that sometimes happen with paper scripts. This system cuts down on transcription mistakes, lowers costs, and improves medication safety.
Does Insurance Cover Online Medication Management?
In most cases, insurance companies will cover telehealth appointments the same way they cover in-person visits. There may or may not be a copay depending on your specific plan, but you’ll usually pay the same out-of-pocket cost as they would if they saw the provider in person.
Medicaid coverage depends on the state. Some states reimburse telehealth visits fully, while others may have restrictions. The best way to know for sure is to ask your doctor or check with your state’s Medicaid office.
If you don’t have insurance or your plan doesn’t cover telehealth, most clinics offer self-pay options. Some may also provide payment plans or sliding-scale fees. These alternatives can make care more affordable for people who might otherwise go without treatment.
How to Get Prescribed Medication Online
Getting a prescription online is handled through secure telehealth visits. Here’s what it typically entails:
- Schedule an initial appointment with a licensed provider.
- Share your medical and mental health history, as well as any current medications.
- Complete an evaluation so the provider can determine if medication is appropriate.
- If approved, your doctor will send your e-prescription to your chosen pharmacy.
- Attend follow-up visits to ensure the medication is working.
If you’re taking a controlled substance, an in-person evaluation may be required before a prescription is given. Your provider will let you know if this applies to your situation.
Add Medication Management to Your Treatment Plan
When your mental health medication is managed by a qualified prescriber, you’re more likely to experience positive results. At Cura Behavioral Health, we take that responsibility seriously. Our providers listen closely, explain your options, prescribe the appropriate treatment, and make adjustments when something isn’t working. We want you to feel supported and to know that your treatment is built around your needs.
If you’ve been thinking about adding medication to your care, let’s talk. Contact Cura Behavioral Health today and see how online medication management can fit into a plan that’s made for you.
Sources:
- Telemedicine Use Among Adults: United States, 2021 – CDC
- Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Care in the U.S. – AAMC
- Optimizing Patient Outcomes: The Role of Medication Administration and Nursing Care: A Systematic Review – Asian Journal of Research in Nursing and Health
- Study of Impact of Telehealth Use on Clinic “No Show” Rates at an Academic Practice – The Psychiatric Quarterly
- The Advantages of Combining Therapies in Treating Psychiatric Patients – Brain Sciences
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of electronic prescription in reducing medical and medical errors (systematic review study) – Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises
- Private insurance coverage for telehealth – Health Resources & Services Administration
