TeleHealth Psychiatry & Counseling

Do All Providers Do TeleHealth?

All King Health providers can provide online video sessions, though there may be some necessary limitations in services. Not all clients may not be suitable for online treatment and it is your provider's clinical decision as to whether they feel TeleHealth will be workable for your specific mental health needs.

During periods of sickness, such as flu season, providers may be more likely to provide TeleHealth services to accommodate public needs.

Which Washington State Counties Are Accessible To TeleHealth?

Adams County, Asotin County, Benton County, Chelan County, Clallam County, Clark County, Columbia County, Cowlitz County, Douglas County, Ferry County, Franklin County, Garfield County, Grant County, Grays Harbor County, Island County, Jefferson County, King County, Kitsap County, Kittitas County, Klickitat County, Lewis County, Lincoln County, Mason County, Okanogan County, Pacific County, Pend Oreille County, Pierce County, San Juan County, Skagit County, Skamania County, Snohomish County, Spokane County, Stevens County, Thurston County, Wahkiakum County, Walla Walla County, Whatcom County, Whitman County

Can I Use TeleHealth Out Of State Or Country?

Your provider needs to be licensed in the US state that you are located in when receiving services. It is illegal for a provider to provide services to a client in a US state, or country, for which they are not licensed. Every US state or country has its own laws regarding mental health services and while there are some exceptions allowed in a number of US states, we cannot guarantee that you will automatically be able to continue to receive services at your new location. If you intend to travel out of your current location for any length of time and wish to continue to see your provider please let us know and we will determine how we can best accommodate your needs while staying within those laws.

Will My Insurance Cover TeleHealth?

Most insurance plans now cover telehealth. You will need to ensure that before your appointment that your particular plan covers your telehealth session or you will be responsible for the fee.

Is This Like Talkspace or Similar Online Services?

No, not at all. We don't use computer models to match you with multiple unknown counselors in distant locations that you will never meet. Effective mental health is about relationships, and for that, you need more than a brief daily text from a counselor trying to get through hundreds of messages. All of our providers are employees of King Health, fully licensed in your state, and you get your full session hour of undivided attention, whether online or in-person. You can mix and match online and in-person sessions as you see fit.

What Do I Need?

This method of communication requires that you have access to a computer, tablet, or phone with a webcam, an up-to-date web browser, and a high-speed (min 2mbs download and upload) connection to the internet. You will also need a location where you have complete uninterrupted privacy for the duration of your appointment to be HIPAA compliant. It is helpful to have a stand or holder to hold your device if it is handheld as camera movement can be very distracting for the provider.

Please test your connection before your appointment start time to ensure that your equipment is working as expected. If you can use services such as Skype or other video-conferencing software then your equipment and connection should be sufficient.

How Can I Make A TeleHealth Appointment?

Make your appointment as normal via the patient portal and select one of the TeleHealth appointment types. You may also call our clinic and request a TeleHealth appointment. If this is your first time using a telehealth option you should first inquire with your provider if they are willing to conduct online sessions with you, as well as ask any questions you might have.

Where Do I Log In For My TeleHealth Appointment?

There is a button for online sessions on each provider's page, or you may be texted or emailed a link. Additionally, you can find links on this TeleHealth Services page to each provider's online waiting room, as well as on our TeleHealth location page. You should be prepared to sign using these links a few minutes before your appointment time and wait for your provider to contact you when they are ready to see you.

Many issues can arise when using TeleHealth initially, and should you experience any difficulty with connection or audio your provider may call you on your telephone or may ask you to log in to an alternative TeleHealth portal. If you are disconnected for more than a minute, your provider will telephone you to make alternative arrangements. Be sure to give your provider your telephone number at the start of your session, especially if it is different from the one on file.

How Do I Pay For A TeleHealth Appointment?

We require that you first have a credit card on file before any TeleHealth session, which we will then bill after your session is complete. This allows you to pay any co-pays or deductibles online since you will not be in the office in person. The amount billed is the same as for a regular office visit (which depends on depending on your use of insurance or cash pay). Please be aware that you are responsible, as you are for regular office visits, to make sure that your particular insurance plan covers TeleHealth, otherwise you will be billed for the regular cash payment amount.