Shortage of mental health practitioners here in Phoenix even before covid..
Now many are tied up at the hospital helping patients and families with covid crises.
Kudos for that, but this leaves me in the lurch. Found a wonderful therapist on Psychology Today but I want a strictly internet company that takes Medicare for a new psychiatrist.
Have been unhappy with my psychiatrist even before covid. Believe it or not, he makes dosage changes without telling me (my previous doc in that office in the Banner medical chain did that to me some tie ago as well). I stuck with him because he is double board certified with neurology as well but he doesnt say two words to me in a session) Banner Medical also has an outrageous privacy policy by which they think they can give all your medical info to just about anyone-read their brochure on the subject. You can submit a letter denying access to your psych info, but I dont trust them to get that right. Unless 2022 updates in US HIPAA policy changed things, I read that there are 6 figure fines in place for HIPAA violations (as if anyone has the time or money to sue doctors). But the new normal is not normal for a lot of things as we all know.
TALKSPACE and other solely internet companies do have MD psychiatrists. But to hook you, these companies have you start the signup process right away. It takes forever to find out if they take my Medicare Advantage plan.
SO DOES ANYONE USE ONE OF THESE SOLELY INTERNET COMPANIES for your MD psychiatrist that take Medicare advantage plans? I might be willing to use a nurse practitioner but its really not a good idea long term. Hugs to all