Overview
Modern Health's goal is to offer care options for the full spectrum of mental health needs, including those conditions and symptoms best assessed and treated by a psychiatric provider. The Psychiatry and Medication Management (PAMM) service involves an initial evaluation by a healthcare practitioner, which can help determine whether medications may be a beneficial component of your overall mental health treatment. Your provider will either be a Psychiatrist, a medically-trained physician (MD/DO) who specializes in psychiatry, or a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP), a registered nurse with advanced training in assessing mental health conditions and prescribing medications (depending on the state in which they practice, physician supervision may be required). Following an initial evaluation, your provider will discuss treatment recommendations with you to address your specific mental health needs, which may or may not include medication-based treatment. Your provider will also talk with you about whether ongoing medication management and/or a different course of treatment is indicated to address your mental health needs.
Please note that the PAMM service at Modern Health is not intended for individuals who are experiencing acute mental health crises and/or who require emergency services. If you need urgent crisis services, you should immediately contact 988 (Suicide Hotline) or go to your local emergency room.
Read on to learn more about this service and how it may apply to your care journey.
Eligibility
Am I eligible for Psychiatry & Medication Management?
Psychiatry & Medication Management is available to members who meet specific member criteria. The Modern Health PAMM benefit is an employee-benefit offered by your employer to eligible members of its employee population and is separate from your individual health insurance plan. This service involves a cost-share arrangement between you and your employer. Please note that for employees with High Deductible Health Plans, you may not be eligible for coverage until you meet your deductible. Once you meet your deductible, you may be eligible for the benefit, and you can use your HSA to cover the cost-share required for PAMM services.
How can I check my eligibility?
You can now check your PAMM eligibility via the Mobile App or Website by following these steps:
- Log in to the mobile or web app
- Under your 1:1 Care Section on your homepage, select ‘Manage your medication.’
- Follow the instructions and, if you are eligible, you will be prompted to request a provider
Note: If you believe you should be eligible for Psychiatry and Medication Management but do not see the option under your 1:1 Care, please reach out to help@joinmodernhealth.com for further assistance.
What To Expect If You Are Eligible
How do I request a provider if I am eligible?
After confirming your eligibility, you will be prompted to request a provider. Our Care Matching Specialists are trained to match you with the best possible provider based on your unique preferences that you share and our deep understanding of our provider network. Once a provider match has been found, you will receive an email notification introducing your provider and they will appear on the home page of your Modern Health account under Your 1:1 Care section.
How do I schedule my first session?
Once you have been notified of your provider match, please log into your Modern Health account using the Web or Mobile application to view your provider match. Under the For You section of your homepage, you will be prompted to schedule your initial evaluation with your provider.
What should I expect from my first session?
You should expect your first session to last about 60 minutes. During this session, your PAMM provider will conduct a thorough evaluation of your medical history, mental health history, and relevant biographical experience. The provider will share and help you understand any pertinent diagnoses (if applicable) as well as provide you with appropriate treatment recommendations, which may include but are not limited to prescription medications, lab tests, and/or treatment referrals. Following the initial evaluation, you and your provider will discuss whether ongoing medication management sessions make sense for you.
How do I schedule follow up sessions?
You can schedule follow up sessions with your provider from the homepage of your account. Log in and select Manage care team next to 1:1 Care from your web or mobile app. Select your provider and choose Book Session to schedule your next follow up.
What should I expect from follow up sessions?
The frequency of your follow up sessions will depend on the results of the initial evaluation and your particular treatment recommendations. Typically, you will meet with your provider for up to 30 minutes at a frequency determined by the provider as you get adjusted to your treatment plan.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner?
Both psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners have the ability to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of mental health conditions with medications, if indicated. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) differ, however, in their educational background, training, and scope of practice. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who attended medical school and then completed a specialized, intensive residency training in psychiatry. Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced-practice registered nurses with either a master’s or doctoral degree who specialize and are licensed to provide psychiatric care. While psychiatric nurse practitioners are able to practice autonomously in some states, others states require them to have a collaborative agreement with a collaborating/supervising psychiatrist. Both psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs are well adept at diagnosing and treating a broad range of mental health conditions; in some instances, such as when individuals have a more complex medical history (e.g., multiple co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions) and/or severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders), psychiatrist management may be indicated.
What is the difference between therapy and psychiatry/medication management?
Therapy (or psychotherapy) is a form of non-medication-based mental health treatment that is focused on teaching you the cognitive and/or behavioral tools and tricks to best manage your symptoms and improve your well-being. Therapy is provided by licensed therapists who are not licensed to prescribe medications. Psychiatry and Medication Management, on the other hand, involves an initial psychiatric evaluation and a treatment plan that may include the use of medications, if indicated in your situation, to aid in your mental health treatment. Your provider will either be a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner who will assess your needs, discuss the risks and benefits of care options, and prescribe medication(s) when indicated to help you feel your best. Medication-based treatment is often most successful when combined with therapy.
Will my prescriber also offer therapy? Should I use both therapy and medication management?
Sometimes, psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs may also opt to utilize psychotherapy as a form of treatment. Through Modern Health, however, the focus of PAMM sessions will be on medication-based treatment, when indicated. You may also be encouraged to work with a therapist through Modern Health in order to focus on therapy treatment, as studies show that for many people receiving medication-based treatment, the best outcomes result from a combination of both medication and therapy.
Does Modern Health prescribe controlled substances?
Modern Health does not prescribe controlled substances at this time. Due to DEA regulatory requirements related to in-person evaluation, Modern Health providers do not prescribe medications federally designated as controlled substances. Examples of medications that cannot be prescribed via the Modern Health platform include but are not limited to: stimulants (such as amphetamine or methylphenidate) for ADHD, anxiolytic medications (such as the benzodiazepines lorazepam, clonazepam, etc.) for anxiety, sedative medications (such as zolpidem) for insomnia, weight loss medications (such as phentermine), prescription pain relievers (such as codeine or hydrocodone), or other high-risk medications that require a DEA license for dispensing.