How to get an online ADHD prescription

How to get an online ADHD prescription

To get an online ADHD prescription, you need a telehealth assessment and an official diagnosis. Once you’ve been diagnosed, a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who specializes in ADHD can prescribe you medication.

What is the process of an online ADHD assessment?

1. Choose a platform: There are several telehealth platforms to choose from, depending on your insurance coverage, what services are available and the type of medication you can receive (stimulant versus nonstimulant). Prospective patients should also read recommendations and reviews before deciding.
2. Schedule a consultation: Once you’ve chosen your online platform, you’ll book a virtual appointment with a provider.

   Before your consultation, gather your medical records, insurance information and identification. You should also make a list of your symptoms, any previous treatments or diagnoses and current medications you’re taking.

3. Have an evaluation: When you meet with your provider, they’ll perform a full health assessment, discuss your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your daily life, review your medical history and answer any questions you have. Some providers may require more than one evaluation before they issue an ADHD diagnosis.
4. Receive a prescription: After your evaluation, if your provider determines you meet the criteria for ADHD and could benefit from medication, they can then write you a prescription. Bear in mind that not all telehealth companies are able to prescribe stimulants.

What kind of tests or evaluations are required?

There are various tests and evaluations your provider may perform to see if you have ADHD. Tests could include a clinical interview, questionnaires like the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and other cognitive or psychological tests.

If you're seeking an evaluation for a child, the provider may want to see them over multiple sessions, review school records, observe the child as they complete tasks (ideally done in-person, but can be done remotely over video) or receive input from teachers or caregivers who work with the child in an educational setting.

There are limits to what an online provider can do compared with an in-person practitioner. If you visit an in-person provider, they may perform a physical exam or request lab work to rule out other conditions.

How long does it take to get diagnosed and prescribed?

The length of time it takes to get an official ADHD diagnosis and prescription varies by provider. Some practitioners advertise that they can evaluate you, diagnose you and prescribe medication after one visit, while others say it takes two to three sessions before you can get a prescription.

Online ADHD prescription costs

The list price for an online consultation ranges from $95 to $300, but costs vary depending on what’s included in that consultation and your insurance coverage. These prices were gathered from five of the leading online ADHD prescribers: Talkspace, Cerebral, ADHD Advisor, Talkiatry and Circle Medical.

Some platforms like Talkspace advertise an all-inclusive price that covers your evaluation, diagnosis and prescription, while others charge for the initial evaluation individually. Some providers like Cerebral charge a monthly subscription fee that includes the initial evaluation, prescription as well as follow-up care. The price range for single follow-up visits ranges from $100 to $175.

Is ADHD medication covered by insurance if prescribed online?

Most of the online providers we reviewed accept insurance coverage for telemedicine and ADHD medication.  However, there are some online providers, like Talkiatry, that only accept patients with insurance and have no self-pay option.

Are there more affordable alternatives for online ADHD prescriptions?

There are both stimulant and nonstimulant ADHD prescriptions. The list price for a brand-name stimulant ADHD drug like Adderall is $342 for a 30-day supply, but there are generic versions available for $16 for a 30-day supply.

A nonstimulant ADHD drug like Strattera has a list price of $462 for a 30-day supply, with generics available for $131 for a 30-day supply. Patients with insurance coverage will find the lowest prices for nonstimulant ADHD medications like Qelbree and Strattera, which can be as low as $13 for a 30-day supply.

Additionally, there are some budget-friendly telehealth platforms like ADHD Advisor and Talkspace that offer evaluations and nonstimulant prescriptions for those without insurance coverage. You can also look into a prescription discount card like GoodRx or WellRx that can reduce the cost of prescription drugs if you don’t have insurance.

Top platforms for online ADHD prescriptions

There are several well-reviewed online ADHD prescribers from which to choose:

• Talkspace: Talkspace offers online therapy, mental health support and prescriptions for insured and uninsured patients. Licensed providers at Talkspace provide telehealth evaluations, diagnoses and prescriptions that can be sent to your home or a nearby pharmacy, but they cannot prescribe stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin.
• Cerebral: Cerebral provides mental health care, including therapy and medication, for individuals and couples. It provides low-cost medications starting at $95 a month, and accepts most major insurance networks. Like Talkspace, Cerebral does not prescribe stimulants.
• ADHD Advisor: ADHD Advisor specializes in online ADHD evaluations and treatment, but it does not accept insurance and can only prescribe stimulants in California. The company advertises diagnoses for $150 and medication management plans for $100 a month.
• Talkiatry: Talkiatry provides virtual visits to treat common mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and ADHD, but it only accepts patients with insurance and there’s no option for self-pay. The company states that most patients pay $30 or less per visit after billing insurance, and it is able to prescribe stimulant ADHD medications.
• Circle Medical: Circle Medical provides virtual services for both physical and mental health conditions, including ADHD. Patients can use insurance or pay the list price of $179 for an initial diagnosis and $100 for a prescription, including both stimulant and nonstimulant medications.

Tips for choosing the right platform

Consider these tips to help choose the best platform for your situation:

• Review your insurance plan first to see if it covers the costs of your consultation and prescription.
• If you need to get a prescription quickly, choose a provider that can diagnose and prescribe medication after one consultation.
• Research the benefits and drawbacks of stimulant versus nonstimulant drugs, and choose a provider that offers the medication you want.
• Some online platforms are only able to prescribe to patients in certain states, so make sure you live in the service area before getting started.
• Read reviews and recommendations from real patients.

What to expect during an online ADHD consultation

An online ADHD consultation is structured similarly to an in-person consultation. You’ll first have to fill out an intake form to provide information about your medical history, including past diagnoses, your family’s medical history, any ADHD symptoms you’ve experienced and how they affect your life. You will also need to answer general questions about your health such as any allergies you have or medications you’re currently taking.

During your consultation, the provider will review your medical information, ask follow-up questions, ask about your mental health goals and rule out other conditions like depression or anxiety, which can have overlapping symptoms with ADHD. Some online providers may require you to get a physical exam or submit a record of one you’ve had within the last 12 months.

Here are some tips to prepare for your consultation:

• Make sure you have a quiet space for your telehealth consultation.
• Have any necessary documents on hand.
• Always be completely honest about your symptoms.
• Prepare questions you have for the provider ahead of time.
• If you’re feeling especially nervous, have a trusted friend or family member come with you.

What happens after you get your online ADHD prescription?

Digital health companies can help speed up the process of getting an ADHD diagnosis and prescription, but this will look different from platform to platform.

How is the prescription delivered to you?

You can have your online prescription sent to the nearest pharmacy or in some cases directly to your home. Some providers allow for automatic refills while others require the patient to log into their account to request a refill. All platforms have their own requirements for how often the patient has to follow up with a provider to continue receiving medication.

Stimulant medications like Adderall are classified as controlled substances and may come with tighter restrictions on how many refills are allowed and how soon after you’ve completed one prescription you are allowed to fill another one.

What kind of follow-up care can you expect?

Most online providers require continuous care and that patients return for regular follow-up visits to monitor their medication, including the dosage, reduction in symptoms and any side effects. The frequency of this follow-up care will vary and could be every month or every three months.

Between sessions with your provider, you can track your own progress with an app or by keeping a daily journal noting how the medication affects your symptoms as well as any side effects you’re experiencing. Importantly, you should never adjust a medication dosage on your own and this should only be done by your provider.

How current laws are affecting access

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, a 2008 law was temporarily lifted that required providers to conduct in-person evaluations in order to diagnose and prescribe stimulant drugs for ADHD. This temporary measure enabled digital health companies to step in and fill this role, and the temporary lift has since been extended through Dec. 31, 2024. It’s important for patients to understand that they may only have a limited opportunity to use an online ADHD platform to receive a diagnosis and get a prescription for stimulants. Note that nonstimulant ADHD prescriptions were never subject to this law and can still be filled through online platforms.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Dr. Joshua Lichtman, a psychiatrist and medical director at Neuro Wellness Spa in Los Angeles, to get his perspective on these changes in the laws. "It is possible that the measure will be extended, but we may have to go back to pre-pandemic regulations, which would limit access for patients who have come to rely on virtual consultations,” he said.

Lichtman provides both in-person and online care for a range of mental health conditions, including ADHD, and has this advice for current patients: "It's crucial for individuals who need ADHD medications to stay informed about these changes and to work closely with their health care providers to ensure continuity of care,” he said.

Bottom line

Although the future of online ADHD prescriptions is uncertain, patients seeking diagnoses and medications can take advantage of this process through the end of 2024, when the temporary extension allowing online prescriptions is set to end. If you’d like to get an ADHD prescription online, you should first determine if your insurance will cover it and whether you’d like a stimulant or nonstimulant drug, as this will help you choose the best provider.

Once you choose a platform (in-person or online), schedule an appointment and begin gathering the required documentation. After you meet with your provider for your initial consultation, you’ll have a better idea of your treatment options.