Telepsychiatry in California
Specialist psychiatric care, wherever you are in California.
Bay Area Neuropsychiatry is a telemedicine practice: every evaluation and follow-up happens over secure video with a board-certified, fellowship-trained physician. That means a patient in Redding, Fresno, or San Diego has the same access to a Stanford-trained neuropsychiatrist as a patient two blocks from our San Francisco office.
We are in-network with Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, 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 confirm insurance and match you with a physician. You complete intake forms and rating scales through our patient portal, then meet your physician by secure video. 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, Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, and Lyra Health; participation varies by physician. We are not contracted with Medicare. 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 all care is delivered 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.