Mental Health (MH) Prescribing: Overview

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO GIVE YOU A THOROUGH OVERVIEW OF THE MENTAL HEALTH (MH) PRESCRIBING SERVICE. THE DRUG DETAILS IN THIS ARTICLE ARE FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO ADDRESS SIDE EFFECTS.

Description:

The Vida Medical Mental Health Prescribing Service (MPS) is an option provided to members who are currently enrolled in the therapy program and who would benefit from the addition of working with a prescribing provider.  

Eligibility:

The Prescribing service is available for Walgreens, Taylor, and Bass Pro members with moderate to severe depression and/or anxiety. The Medical Prescribing Service is a stand-alone service that can be added to the Therapy program. 

Type of Providers:

• Psychiatrist, Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Physicians

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults age 18+ with moderate to severe depression and/or anxiety.
• Member must be currently enrolled in the Therapy program and meet qualification criteria, which includes being in a pay org that prescribing is enabled for and meeting certain clinical criteria as determined by a referral assessment. 

Which medications are we prescribing?

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

These medicines are well-studied, widely available, and affordable.

Goal of Service:

• Level improvement in PHG/GAD score “aka symptom improvement or relief”

Other FAQs about Vida’s MH Prescribing Service:

Will the member have access to their prescriber?

• Members are able to chat with their prescribing psychiatrist through the app
• Members can also schedule consults with their prescriber through the app

Will the prescriber also assist with getting the prescription filled?

• Yes, Vida sends the prescription to the member’s own preferred pharmacy, whether retail or mail order. Preferred pharmacy info will be collected during the initial consult with the prescriber.
• Vida also provides educational resources to help members understand the importance of the medication in their treatment plan and other education resources. 

How long will the service be?

• The educational content to support members in the Prescribing service is about 6 weeks of material including:
• Considering starting an antidepressant (decisional balance)
• Meeting with a Vida Prescriber
• Filling the prescription
• Taking medicine as directed, building habits
• Sticking with it so the medicine can reach “full strength” in their body
• Understanding why sometimes dosages are changed or even different medicines need to be tried
• Why an abrupt stop of an antidepressant is dangerous

Where is the prescription filled?

• Members can have their prescriptions filled at their preferred pharmacy and can update pharmacy location by speaking with their prescriber or through a support request

Will insurance cover the cost of the prescription?

• Members will be able to provide their insurance information directly to the pharmacy of their choice. Coverage of costs will vary depending on policy information. The member should reach out to their insurance company or pharmacy for any information about the cost of a prescription.

If a member changes payer org and no longer qualifies for Vida, how would they transition out if they are on meds?

• Their pharmacy would have the prescription
• The pharmacy can contact the member’s primary care doctor (or a new doctor) about refills
• The member is encouraged to inform their primary care doctor about the medicine
• The Vida therapist and prescriber would follow the continuity of care procedures

Prescribing Translation Services

Members enrolled in Prescribing who have Spanish selected as their primary language will have services from an English Speaking provider translated into Spanish.

• For asynchronous or text-based services, translation will be completed by the Vida localization team
• For video calls, live translation will be provided by a third-part translation service called BoostLingo. This will be automatically enabled for calls with Prescribers to Spanish-speaking members
• An example of a 3-way call with translator included: