Telehealth Services Florida: Getting Help Where and When You Need It
Union members in Florida struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues can quickly through telehealth services. Telehealth counseling, also referred to as teletherapy, is the use of telecommunication technologies, such as video conferencing or over the phone, to provide remote behavioral health services to patients. Union members can access these services through employee assistance services. Telehealth services Florida can help union members quickly get an appointment in times of crisis from anywhere in the world.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many healthcare practitioners, including mental health and substance abuse counselors in Florida, adjusted their practices to be available on an online platform in order to reduce close contact with patients. The need for remote healthcare during the pandemic resulted in both patients and practitioners experiencing several benefits leading to an expansion of virtual healthcare. Health insurance companies, including union health insurance, have expanded their coverage to telehealth services. Online therapy has removed many barriers to treatment and improved accessibility to qualified mental health professionals for union members in Florida.
Telehealth Services Florida: 7 Examples of Services Available for Union Members
- One-On-One Therapy. Online individual therapy, or one-on-one therapy, can help union members who are struggling with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. Talk therapy is easily transferable to an online platform as there is little physical interaction. Union members can access licensed online therapists through secure HIPAA compliant platforms and can access various types of therapy including cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy.
- Group Therapy. Union members can access various mental health and substance abuse support groups online, including Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous. A licensed counselor may lead group therapy on an online platform which can look almost like a virtual business meeting.
- Addiction Counseling. Addiction counselors are also available for telehealth services Florida residents can access. Union members struggling with drug or alcohol consumption can quickly access addiction counselors online who help them gain better control of substance abuse before it leads to addiction or advise individuals if they have developed a disorder and how they can get help if so.
- Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (Virtual IOP). Union members who are struggling with substance use disorders can access comprehensive addiction treatment programs through telehealth services in Florida. These programs are more structured and provide various forms of treatment compared to only seeing an addiction counselor.
- Telepsychiatry. Union members struggling with mental health disorders can get psychiatric medications through telepsychiatry. Doctors or nurse practitioners can prescribe medications to ease mental health symptoms while patients get better control of their symptoms through therapy.
- Behavioral Health Counseling. Behavioral health counseling can include both mental health and substance abuse treatment, but it can also help union members commit to lifestyle changes, such as exercise routines and healthy eating. These services can help union members find healthier ways to manage stress and mental health symptoms to avoid substance use or mental health disorders from developing or worsening.
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). MAT includes psychiatric medications but can also involve medications for substance abuse treatment. Telehealth services Florida can connect union members with doctors and nurse practitioners who can prescribe medications to ease withdrawals and cravings if wanting to cut down on substance abuse. Medications can include Disulfiram which causes people to feel ill if they drink alcohol and Naltrexone, which reduces the effects of alcohol and opioid. Both are great deterrents for substance use.
Are Telehealth Services in Florida Covered for Union Members?
Union health insurance plans can cover telehealth services for Florida residents. Health insurance plans are already required to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders; many cover telehealth services for these issues. However, it is important to remember that Florida has specific rules for telehealth practitioners. For example, out-of-state healthcare practitioners must be registered with the Florida Department of Health to perform telehealth services for patients in Florida. So, while you may want to set up a telehealth visit with your preferred practitioner out-of-state, it may not be allowed. Also, some states may not allow you to conference with your Florida telehealth provider when traveling to that state. The best way to find a telehealth service provider is to check through your insurance or go through an employee assistance service like Union First. We can connect union members in Florida with telehealth services that take union insurance and fit your needs anywhere in the U.S.
Telehealth Services in Florida: 6 Benefits of Getting Help
While telehealth services may have some limitations in comparison to in-person therapy, it also has a long list of benefits, including:
- No commuting time. Telehealth services can be easier for some to access as there is no travel time to or from the counselor’s office, making it easier to fit into your schedule.
- Provides a more comfortable setting. Some people find online settings for therapy more comfortable which helps them to open up and improve treatment outcomes.
- Less expensive. Telehealth services tend to be less costly than in-person appointments. Therapists may not need to rent an office or hire a receptionist, which lowers their overhead and allows them to charge less.
- Easier access for those with special needs. Union members who are physically disabled, struggle with social anxiety or agoraphobia, do not have reliable transportation, or live in remote areas, can access mental health services more easily online.
- Improved commitment to therapy. Telehealth services Florida can help individuals continue with therapy more frequently and longer, improving treatment outcomes. This is due to many other benefits, including reduced costs and no travel time.
- Increased flexibility. Accessing treatment anywhere at any time allows patients to have more flexibility with their treatment options. They can easily travel to work without missing an appointment or scheduling a session during their lunch hour.
Union First Can Help Union Members in Florida Access Telehealth Services
Union members may have a membership to Union First included through their union. Our services help union members, public service employees, and their families get matched with the right substance abuse or mental health treatment, including telehealth services. Members can access our private telehealth network of over 40 providers who take union insurance, can practice in Florida, and fit your needs. Our private network allows us to get union members an appointment with a counselor within 24 to 48 hours of calling us.
Union First also offers treatment placement services for union members seeking in-person behavioral health treatment. Our team will individually manage your case, which begins with an initial assessment of your medical history, current problems, and preference for types of facilities. We will then provide personalized referrals to treatment providers who meet your criteria and help you through the admissions process of the facility you choose. Telehealth services are available to get you help while the admissions process is completed quickly.
If you or your family members are struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, please call our 24/7 helpline at (855) 215-2023 so we can connect you to a telehealth service Florida provider or addiction treatment placement services.