Does Insurance Cover Online Psychiatry in Tennessee?

Online psychiatry has made mental health care realistic for people all over Tennessee — but the first question most people ask is whether their insurance treats a video visit like a real visit. In our experience, it usually does.

Do Tennessee insurance plans cover telehealth like office visits?

In practice, yes for most of the plans Shrinkty works with: a telehealth psychiatric visit is billed and covered much like the same visit in one of our offices, and patients typically pay their usual specialist copay either way. Plans do differ in the details — that's exactly why we verify your specific benefits, including telehealth coverage, before your first visit rather than letting you find out on a statement afterward.

Which plans does Shrinkty accept for online psychiatry?

The same networks we accept in the office apply to telehealth: BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and BlueCare, Cigna and Evernorth, Aetna, Humana, Medicare, TRICARE, Wellpoint (Amerigroup), UnitedHealthcare commercial plans, Oscar, and Ambetter. The current list — along with cost details like our flat $150 ADHD testing fee — is on our Insurance & Costs page.

What do I need for an online psychiatry visit?

Less than you might think:

• A device with a camera and microphone — a smartphone works fine.
• A reasonably stable internet connection. Wi-Fi is best, but a good cellular signal works.
• A private spot. A bedroom with the door closed, headphones on the couch, or a parked car all work. We've collected practical ideas in Getting the Most Out of Telehealth Visits.
• To be physically located in Tennessee at the time of your visit — our providers are licensed to treat patients in Tennessee.

Have your medication bottles and your pharmacy's name within reach, and prescriptions work the same as after an office visit: sent electronically to the pharmacy you choose.

What if my plan doesn't cover telehealth the same way?

Occasionally a plan covers telehealth differently from office visits, or applies its own quirks. When that happens, you have options — and you'll know about them before your first appointment, not after. You can be seen in person at any of our three offices, where your regular in-network benefits apply. Or, if telehealth is worth it for the convenience, we'll tell you exactly what your plan pays and what you'd owe so you can decide with real numbers. Self-pay is also available; call 615-716-8255 for current rates.

Teens can be seen by telehealth too — Shrinkty treats patients ages 13 and up, with a parent or guardian involved for minors.

Are some visits still in person?

A few things don't happen over video. Spravato treatment always takes place in the office, under supervision with a post-dose observation period. And occasionally your provider may recommend an in-person visit — for a physical exam, certain testing, or simply because video keeps getting in the way. With offices in Murfreesboro, McMinnville, and Dickson, you can move between video and in-person visits without changing providers.

How do I confirm my coverage before the first visit?

You mostly don't have to — that's our job. When you complete the new patient form, our team verifies your benefits and calls you to schedule, so telehealth coverage, copays, and any plan quirks are sorted out before you're seen. If you'd rather talk it through first, call 615-716-8255 and ask; a two-minute phone call answers most coverage questions.

If cost is the thing holding you back, it's worth reading our companion guide, How Much Does Seeing a Psychiatric Provider Cost in Tennessee?, before you decide anything.

This article is for general education and isn't medical advice. For guidance about your own care, talk with your provider.