A member asked:

Can i be treated n become a patient with a doc/psychiatrist that's in a different state oniine? i have horrible anxiety all the time n attacks 4 years

12 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Dr. Pamela Pappas answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Not optimal: You would need to ask the individual psychiatrist -- some are licensed in multiple states. With most, you need to establish as a patient in their office first. 'online' treatment is not optimal, especially if the psychiatrist cannot see you. There are telemedicine practices which allow you to have private sessions "online" -- you are face to face on the computer screen. Laws vary by state.

Answered 5/12/2016

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Some states like FL: Rank 49 in term of available resources for mental illness . Tele care is becoming more popular . However, currently the physician who see u online need to be also licensed in the state that u r living in.If this can change we all can have equal access to psychiatric care.

Answered 11/27/2017

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Depends on statlaws: The answer to this is quite complicated because it depends on state law and malpractice coverage issues. Within the federal system such as the va hospital system, this is common practice. The rationale is that the doctor's. Not practicing from state to state, rather the doctor is practicing from one parcel of governmental land to another. Also, va physicians cannot be sued. I have heard of corporations attempting to set up such services, but I have not yet talked to anyone who is working for such a corporation. If one of my patients moves to another state, most states especially in north to south corredor will allow allow a doctor to prescribe across state lines even for controlled substances as long as the patient is seen every 3 to 6 months by the prescribing practitioner. Nevada requires that the patient be seen in another state within the preceding six months if the practitioner is calling in a controlled substance from out of state. As you can see, it all gets very complicated and the laws of both states need to be known. I personally can't imagine prescribing for patient in another state unless i had known them very well for many years.

Answered 10/4/2016

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