Depression care through telehealth

Begin with an individual evaluation

LisaCare describes its psychiatric evaluation as a comprehensive mental health assessment that considers symptoms, history, concerns and goals. The initial conversation explores what brings you to care and what you hope to change, followed by diagnostic clarification and individualized planning.

What comes next depends on your needs and the practice’s scope. LisaCare’s medication management service includes medication review, prescribing when appropriate, monitoring and treatment adjustments. Prescribing scope, visit frequency and whether ongoing medication management fits your depression-care needs must be confirmed with the practice.

Describe the changes that matter to you

Before a visit, note when your concerns began, how often they occur and which daily activities have become harder. You might describe changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration or enjoyment. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that depression can affect these parts of daily life and that taking notes about symptoms may help a provider conversation.

Choose a few concrete examples rather than trying to diagnose yourself. What has changed at work, school, home or in relationships? What previous care has helped, and what questions remain? Bring your current medication list and ask how to share useful records securely. These notes help explain your experience; they do not determine a diagnosis or promise that a particular treatment will be appropriate.

Questions to ask before care

• Does the evaluation service fit the concerns I want to discuss?
• What information should I prepare for an initial visit?
• Which next steps might be discussed after the evaluation?
• What services or medications are outside the practice’s scope?
• How are follow-up visits, insurance and ongoing fees handled?

Prisca Oketch, APRN, PMHNP-BC, provides care as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. LisaCare serves all ages across the lifespan and offers care in English and Swahili. You can meet Prisca and use the specialties overview to find related care topics.

State access, insurance and fees

Telehealth appointments are available to eligible patients physically located in Texas, Oregon or Washington. Confirm your physical location and care needs before scheduling. Insurance networks differ between Texas and Oregon. Medicaid is accepted in Oregon only, and Washington appointments are currently cash-pay while insurance enrollment is pending.

Cash-pay fees are $200 for an initial visit and $150 for a follow-up. LisaCare lists a $75 monthly Gold membership for follow-up appointments in medication management and brief psychotherapy; patients can cancel anytime. Review current fees and insurance details and ask what the Gold membership includes.

How to start

Contact LisaCare to arrange the 15-minute eligibility consultation before booking an initial visit. It costs $15 and is credited toward the initial visit if you proceed. The consultation is separate from the $200 initial visit. Ask LisaCare how to arrange the initial visit after the eligibility consultation.

Ask about depression-care eligibility or review appointment options.