Below are Forbes' top five virtual psychiatry platforms, determined considering costs, conditions treated, quality of providers and more, published July 14.
1. Best overall: Brightside Health, providing:
- Structured care plans
- Experienced psychiatrists
- Quick access to care
- Ongoing patient-provider relationships throughout treatment, without intermediaries
- Treatments for many conditions, including personality disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, substance use problems, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and suicidality
2. Best runner-up: Talkspace, providing:
- Personalized treatment plans
- Accessibility; doesn't require referrals
- Ability to switch to a new psychiatrist or nurse3.
3. Best for patients using insurance: Amwell, providing:
- Access to board-certified psychiatrists and neurologists
- Acceptance of many insurance plans
- Ability to coordinate with your primary care physician and other providers
4. Best for picking one's own provider: MDLive, providing:
- Availability of appointments on nights and weekends
- iOS and Android compatibility
- Access in U.S. and Puerto Rico
- Easy-to-navigate directory with information about its providers
5. Best for flexibility: Teladoc, providing:
- Psychiatrists available seven days a week from 7 A.M. to 9 P.M.
- Visits as soon as three days after booking
- Option to see the same provider over course of treatment
- Profiles that show providers catered to specific needs, including information on gender, language and medical specialties