We are in-network with Aetna, Alameda Alliance, Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Curative, and Lyra Health, and initial evaluations run 60 minutes, not fifteen.
How it works
Request an appointment, and our office responds within two business days to schedule you with a physician. You complete intake forms and rating scales through our patient portal, then meet your physician by secure video. In-person visits in San Francisco are possible but uncommon. Prescriptions go to your local pharmacy; lab orders, when needed, go to a lab near you.
Who telehealth serves best
Adults seeking evaluation for ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, or bipolar disorder, and patients with specialist needs no local option can meet: FND, TBI, perinatal psychiatry, and deprescribing.
Statewide, by design
Most of California’s fellowship-trained neuropsychiatrists practice within a few academic centers. Telemedicine is how we make that level of care available in every county, from San Francisco and San Jose to Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and rural Northern California.
Common questions
Do you accept insurance for telepsychiatry in California?
Yes. We are in-network with Aetna, Alameda Alliance, Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Curative, and Lyra Health; participation varies by physician. Dr. Lodhi accepts Medicare; our other physicians are not contracted with Medicare at this time. Out-of-network patients can often obtain in-network rates through a Network Gap Exception because fellowship-trained neuropsychiatrists are scarce in most networks.
Where in California do you see patients?
Everywhere in the state. Because care is delivered almost entirely by secure video, we see patients in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno, and every smaller community in between. You must be physically located in California at the time of your appointment.
Is a telehealth psychiatric evaluation as good as in-person?
For outpatient psychiatric evaluation and medication management, research consistently shows telemedicine outcomes equivalent to in-person care across depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. Our initial evaluations run 60 minutes with a physician, considerably longer than a typical in-person psychiatric intake.
What do I need for a telepsychiatry appointment?
A private space in California, a reliable internet connection, and a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera. We send a secure video link before each visit. There is no software to install.
Can you prescribe medication by telehealth in California?
Yes. Our physicians are licensed in California and prescribe through your local pharmacy. We do not prescribe benzodiazepines, and stimulants for ADHD are prescribed only after a completed diagnostic evaluation. See our new-patient policies.
Can I be evaluated and prescribed ADHD medication by telehealth in California?
An ADHD evaluation can be done by telehealth. We see patients almost entirely by secure video. Under current federal rules, a DEA-registered physician may prescribe stimulants such as amphetamine salts or methylphenidate by video without a prior in-person visit. That allowance runs through December 31, 2026, and the rules for later dates are not yet final. We prescribe a stimulant only after a completed diagnostic evaluation and a review of California’s prescription monitoring database (CURES), and only if your physician finds it medically appropriate. An evaluation does not guarantee a prescription, and your physician may recommend other treatment.
Booking a video appointment
Appointments are often available within one to two weeks. Our office responds to appointment requests within two business days, and you will need to be in California at the time of each visit.