COVID-19 has changed a lot about our world. Mask mandates, travel restrictions, and temperature checks are so normal that they’re expected. From work to wine nights, events that are normally held in-person have moved to various online platforms. People around the world have shown their adaptability and resilience again and again throughout these past few months, and if one thing is certain, it’s that our world will continue changing long after we flatten the curve.
Therapy is in even higher demand.
The uncertainty of the COVID-19 era has caused an increase in anxiety and other mental health struggles. Fortunately, many mental health practitioners immediately began offering video visits. If you’ve had to quarantine in an urban area such as New York City, then you probably understand the importance of talking to someone about your anxiety. It’s hard living in a tiny apartment for months on end, not being able to see your friends as much or go to that hot yoga class. When COVID has got you down, talk to a psychologist. They will give you tools for dealing with depression, anxiety, OCD, phobias, or any other symptom you have as a result of these times.
Doing a simple Google search on “New York therapists” for example, can help you to match with a specific psychotherapist who is the right fit for you. New Yorkers, suburbanites, and rural dwellers alike can use services like these to find a psychiatrist or counselor in their area (or not in their area! Such is the beauty of online clinical services). Chat with a specialist to see if they recommend cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, counseling, or psychiatry for you. You can do video visits with your clinician for any of these health care services.
Medicine has become telemedicine.
Health care has gone online for more than just mental health services. You can also see various specialty health care providers with the use of telehealth services. TeleHealth even offers virtual appointments from licensed and certified hearing care professionals. Hearing assessments, consultations, and hearing aid fine-tuning are all available remotely. This means that even if you can’t go to a clinic for an in-person visit, you can still get the hearing care you need because of telehealth technology. You can also find myriad instructional videos on TeleHealth’s website for troubleshooting related to your hearing aid. Learn how to change a battery, how to establish wireless communications via Bluetooth, or how to prepare for a fully remote TeleHealth visit. While this may be your first time going to the doctor from the comfort of your home, it’s probably not the last. Times are changing; that’s for certain!
Health insurance plans are adjusting.
Due to COVID-19’s classification as a Public Health Emergency, health care providers can use telehealth services to treat the virus from offices, hospitals, and places of residence. Coinsurance and deductibles apply, though some healthcare providers are reducing or waiving the amount you pay for telehealth visits. If you can’t pay your premiums because of hardship due to COVID-19, check with your insurance company about extending your payment deadline or ask if they will delay terminating your coverage.
Medicare covers certain telehealth services. For the most part, you’ll pay the same amount that you would if you went to an in-person visit. They may also offer more telehealth services than what was included in their approved 2020 benefits. Medicare telehealth services include office visits, psychotherapy, consultations, and certain other medical services that are provided using an interactive 2-way telecommunications system. No matter what situation you’re in, you will be able to get insurance to keep you safe during this pandemic. We’ve all had to adapt to become a little more flexible and a little more human during this time.