The short answer
For most people with commercial insurance, yes — online psychiatry is covered, and usually on terms comparable to an in-person office visit. Two sets of rules work in your favor. First, the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act generally requires plans that cover mental health care to do so no more restrictively than medical care. Second, all four states where Valley Vista Psychiatry practices — Arizona, Oregon, Maryland, and Washington — have telehealth coverage laws that require most state-regulated health plans to cover services delivered by video when those services would be covered in person.
That said, "covered" is not the same as "free," and the specifics always depend on your individual plan: your copay or coinsurance, whether your deductible applies, whether a particular provider is in your network, and whether your plan is state-regulated or a self-funded employer plan (which follows federal rather than state rules). The only way to know your exact costs is to verify your benefits — which takes about ten minutes and one phone call.
How to verify your benefits: a 6-question call script
Call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask these six questions. Write down the date, the representative's name, and the reference number for the call — it protects you if a claim is later processed incorrectly.
- "Is telehealth outpatient psychiatry covered under my plan?" You can mention common visit codes if asked: 90792 (psychiatric evaluation) and 99214 with 90833 (follow-up medication management with therapy add-on) are typical.
- "Is this provider in-network?" Give the practice name (Valley Vista Psychiatry) and provider name (Jean N. Ogu, PMHNP-BC), and ask them to check by NPI if possible — name searches often miss.
- "What is my copay or coinsurance for a telehealth behavioral health visit?" Some plans use a flat copay; others charge a percentage after the deductible.
- "Does my deductible apply, and how much of it have I met this year?"
- "Are psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) covered for these services?" Nearly all plans cover nurse practitioners, but it is worth confirming.
- "Is prior authorization or a referral required for outpatient psychiatry?" Most plans do not require one for routine outpatient visits, but some HMO plans do.
If the answers look good, you can request an appointment online — Valley Vista also verifies your benefits before your first visit, so you will not be surprised at checkout.
Arizona
Arizona has one of the broader telehealth statutes in the country: state-regulated commercial plans are generally required to cover services delivered via telehealth when the same service is covered in person. AHCCCS (Arizona's Medicaid program) has also covered telehealth behavioral health services broadly in recent years, including video visits for psychiatric evaluation and medication management. If you are an AHCCCS member, confirm two things with your specific AHCCCS health plan: that telepsychiatry is covered under your plan, and that the provider you want to see is contracted with that plan — AHCCCS coverage is delivered through several different managed-care organizations, and networks differ. Learn more about our Arizona services on the Arizona telehealth psychiatry page.
Oregon
Oregon law requires most state-regulated commercial insurers to cover telehealth services when the equivalent in-person service is covered. The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) — Oregon's Medicaid program, administered largely through regional Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) — has covered behavioral health delivered by telehealth, and video visits for psychiatric care are a routine part of OHP behavioral health services. As with any managed Medicaid program, coverage runs through your specific CCO, so call the member number on your OHP card to confirm telepsychiatry coverage and whether a given provider participates with your CCO. Oregon residents can see what we treat on the Oregon telehealth psychiatry page.
Maryland
Maryland has been a strong telehealth-coverage state: its Preserve Telehealth Access Act required both Maryland Medicaid and state-regulated commercial plans to cover telehealth services, including audio-video behavioral health visits, and telepsychiatry remains widely covered for Maryland Medicaid participants. Because telehealth payment rules have been revisited by the legislature more than once, treat the details — especially reimbursement for audio-only visits — as something to confirm with your plan at the time you book. Maryland residents can start with the Maryland telehealth psychiatry page.
Washington
Washington State requires most state-regulated health plans to cover — and pay for — telemedicine services on parity with in-person care, one of the earlier payment-parity laws in the country. Apple Health (Washington's Medicaid program) has covered behavioral health services delivered by telehealth, including psychiatric video visits, through its managed-care plans. As elsewhere, confirm coverage and network participation with your specific Apple Health plan before your first visit. Washington residents can review our services on the Washington telehealth psychiatry page.
A note on Medicaid: the state notes above describe how each program treats telehealth in general — they are not a statement that any particular practice, including Valley Vista, is contracted with a Medicaid plan. Always confirm a provider's network status directly with your plan or with the practice before booking.
Medicare
Congress made telehealth coverage for mental and behavioral health a permanent part of Medicare — including visits conducted from your home, without the old rural-location restrictions — and Medicare covers services furnished by psychiatric nurse practitioners. One detail has moved several times: a requirement for a periodic in-person visit for mental health telehealth patients has been repeatedly delayed by Congress, and its current status changes with each legislative session. Before relying on Medicare for ongoing telepsychiatry, check the telehealth pages at medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE, and confirm whether the provider you want to see accepts Medicare assignment.
Out-of-network? You still have options
If a provider is not in your network, you are not necessarily paying the full cost alone:
- Out-of-network benefits (PPO plans). You pay at the time of the visit, then submit a superbill — an itemized receipt with diagnosis and procedure codes — to your insurer for possible partial reimbursement. Our companion guide, How to use a superbill for out-of-network psychiatry, walks through the process step by step.
- Self-pay with cost transparency. If you have no out-of-network benefits or prefer not to use insurance, federal law entitles you to a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges before you receive care, so you know the cost up front.
- HSA/FSA funds. Psychiatric care is generally an eligible expense for health savings and flexible spending accounts, whether or not the visit runs through insurance.
What Valley Vista accepts
Valley Vista Psychiatry accepts several major insurance plans, and we verify your benefits before your first visit so you know your expected cost in advance. Because plan networks change, the most reliable path is to check our insurance page or call us at (480) 360-3531 with your plan details — we will tell you plainly whether we are in-network and what to expect. New to the practice? The new patients page explains scheduling, paperwork, and what happens at a first visit for concerns like anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
Frequently asked questions
Does insurance cover telehealth psychiatry the same as in-person visits?
In most cases, yes. Arizona, Oregon, Maryland, and Washington all have telehealth coverage laws, and most commercial plans cover video psychiatric visits comparably to office visits. Coverage details such as copays, deductibles, and network status still vary by plan, so verify your specific benefits before your first appointment.
Does AHCCCS cover telehealth psychiatry in Arizona?
AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program, has broadly covered telehealth behavioral health services in recent years, including video visits for psychiatric care. Because coverage rules and provider networks can change, confirm with your AHCCCS health plan and with any provider you are considering whether they are contracted with your specific plan.
What should I ask my insurance company before booking an online psychiatry visit?
Call the member services number on your card and ask whether telehealth outpatient psychiatry is covered, whether the provider is in-network, what your copay or coinsurance is, whether your deductible applies, whether psychiatric nurse practitioners are covered, and whether prior authorization is required. Write down the date, the representative's name, and a reference number.
What if my insurance is out-of-network with my psychiatric provider?
Many PPO plans include out-of-network benefits. You pay the visit fee up front, then submit a superbill — an itemized receipt with diagnosis and service codes — to your insurer for possible partial reimbursement. If you have no out-of-network benefits, self-pay is still an option, and you are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate of costs before care.
Does Medicare cover online psychiatry?
Medicare covers telehealth for mental and behavioral health care, including visits from home, and this coverage was made a permanent part of the program for mental health services. Some details, such as periodic in-person visit requirements, have changed several times, so check medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for the current rules that apply to you.
Ready to check your coverage and get started?
Valley Vista Psychiatry offers online psychiatric evaluations and medication management for adults in Arizona, Oregon, Maryland, and Washington. We verify your insurance benefits before your first visit.
Book an Appointment Insurance InfoQuestions? Call (480) 360-3531
This article is educational and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Insurance coverage rules change; always confirm current benefits with your health plan. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time, day or night.