Depression

Question 1

What are your telehealth options for depression treatment?

Answer

Amazon One Medical offers multiple ways to get care from the comfort of your own home.

If you're a One Medical member and you live in a state where One Medical has offices, you can schedule Remote Visits with One Medical providers, which are billable to you or your health insurance. As a member, you can also get 24/7 on-demand virtual care with Treat Me Now or Urgent Video Chat via the One Medical app at no extra cost, no matter where you live in the United States.

If you're not a One Medical member, you can start a one-time virtual visit with Pay-per-visit. Pay-per-visit offers 2 types of telehealth for Amazon customers: video visits and message-only visits. Video visits are available for $49 in all 50 states and D.C. Message-only visits are available for $29 in 36+ states.*

To see your Pay-per-visit options for this condition, start a one-time virtual visit and choose your state.

*State availability varies by condition.

Question 2

Where are scheduled visits available for Amazon One Medical members?

Answer

In-Office Visits are scheduled appointments with the provider of your choice. One Medical members can easily book In-Office Visits at any of our One Medical offices, in:

Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Cape Cod, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Connecticut, D.C Metro Area (DMV), Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Milwaukee (coming soon), New Jersey (coming soon), New York City, Orange County, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Seattle-Tacoma, SF Bay Area, Triad, Tucson. More location details.

Remote Visits are scheduled, virtual appointments with the provider of your choice and are available in U.S. states where One Medical offices are located.

In-Office and Remote Visits are not included in the membership and are billed to you/your insurance; copays and deductibles may apply.

Question 3

Can I use my health insurance for Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit?

Answer

Amazon One Medical doesn't accept health insurance for Pay-per-visit care. You can submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement, but we can’t guarantee they’ll reimburse you for your one-time virtual visit.

If you normally use insurance to pay for your medications, you can do that with medications prescribed through all Amazon One Medical services. Amazon Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans. For other pharmacies, please talk with your pharmacy directly about insurance coverage. The cost of medication isn’t included in the cost of your visit.

Question 4

What will I need to request a depression prescription renewal through Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit?

Answer

To request a virtual prescription renewal through Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit, you'll need to upload an image of your most recent prescription for depression medication. Your provider will accept a photo of the prescription label or a screenshot from your medical records.

Question 5

What's the virtual prescription renewal policy at Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit?

Answer

Pay-per-visit providers typically write online prescription renewals for a 30-day supply of medication.

Your provider will consider many factors when determining if a prescription is medically appropriate. For example, they may want to know how long it's been since you've:

• Taken your medication
• Seen your regular primary care provider
• Had appropriate lab testing
• Had your last prescription renewal through Pay-per-visit*

When you request a prescription renewal, you'll need to provide an image of your last prescription. Your provider will accept a photo of the prescription label or a screenshot from your medical records. The image must clearly show your name, the name of the medication, the dose, the directions, and the date the prescription was written.

There may be a limit to the number of renewal requests that a provider can evaluate in a one-time virtual visit. Providers will not renew prescriptions that require a prior authorization from your insurance company.

*Virtual prescription renewals may be limited to one or two within a 12-month period.

Question 6

What's the difference between a renewal and a refill?

Answer

When you run out of your medication, you refill it through a pharmacy. When you run out of refills, a licensed healthcare provider has to renew your prescription.

You can request a remote prescription renewal through Amazon One Medical. Your provider will send any new prescriptions to a U.S. pharmacy of your choice. You pay for the medication when you pick it up or have it delivered.

Question 7

What depression and anxiety medications can be renewed through Pay-per-visit?

Answer

When medically appropriate, your Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit provider may renew prescriptions for the following psychotropic medications:

• Buproprion (Wellbutrin)
• Buspirone (Buspar)
• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
• Mirtazapine (Remeron)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
• Vilazodone (Viibryd)
• Vortioxetine (Trintellix)

Question 8

What happens if my provider can't diagnose or treat my health issue through Pay-per-visit?

Answer

If your provider can’t diagnose or treat your health issue through Pay-per-visit, they may recommend that you see a primary care provider or a specialist for in-person care. If that happens, you won't be charged.

Question 9

Can I communicate with a provider after I get my Pay-per-visit treatment plan?

Answer

Yes. When you use Pay-per-visit, you can message with One Medical providers within your personal dashboard for an additional 2 weeks (14 days) at no extra cost. This complimentary communication window allows you time to:

• Ask follow-up questions about any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications in your treatment plan

• Connect with a provider if you think your treatment needs to be adjusted

• Tell a provider if you're experiencing side effects from your medication

• Tell a provider if there's an issue getting your prescription from the pharmacy

• Let the One Medical care team know that you're feeling better

Your secure, HIPAA-compliant message will be received by the first available provider, who will be able to review your visit’s treatment plan and any follow-up correspondence. If you still need treatment adjustments or have questions after the 14-day communication window, you'll need to start a new visit.

Question 10

How does Amazon One Medical protect my health information?

Answer

Amazon One Medical protects customers’ protected health information (PHI) with stringent, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant privacy and security practices to keep information safe and secure.

We’re committed to building an infrastructure that fosters and promotes a culture of customer privacy and a strong commitment to safeguarding health information. We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect customer information. This includes conducting rigorous security reviews and testing during product development, using encryption to protect data, and providing features like two-step verification to help customers protect their accounts.

Amazon does not sell customers’ personal information, including PHI.

Question 11

Why should I see a primary care provider for my mental health?

Answer

Primary care providers are trained to see the big picture. They can identify when your mental health is affecting your physical health and vice versa. For example, things like low libido, digestive problems, and headaches can be made worse by mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. Amazon One Medical’s team of primary care providers are specially trained to deliver excellent, comprehensive care for a range of mental health conditions.

Question 12

How is depression diagnosed?

Answer

Depression is diagnosed by a healthcare provider based on your symptoms. During your visit, your provider will ask some questions about how you’ve been feeling lately and how changes in your mood have impacted your everyday life. They’ll also ask questions about your health history, including medications you take regularly, alcohol or drug use, and any other medical or mental health conditions you’ve been diagnosed with. Additional testing is generally not needed but sometimes may be considered to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms.

Question 13

What are some things I can do on my own to help me feel better?

Answer

When you're experiencing symptoms of depression, there are a variety of things you can do on your own to help you feel better. Try reading about techniques to help you manage negative thoughts. Physical activity like playing sports, going for a walk, or riding a bike can help improve your mood and give you more energy. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress and tension. Eating regular and nutritious meals and keeping a regular sleep schedule can help you feel more energized and think more clearly.

Spending time with people who care about you can provide support and make you feel less alone. Identify people that you trust and consider talking with them about how you’re feeling. Sometimes, talking to other people who are going through the same thing can help, so you may consider attending a support group.

Question 14

If I decide to start depression medication, when will I feel better?

Answer

A healthcare provider will determine if you need prescription medication to treat your symptoms of depression. If your care plan includes a prescription, you'll be asked to select a pharmacy. You can send it to your preferred pharmacy or select Amazon Pharmacy to get your medications delivered right to your door.

Question 15

What about therapy?

Answer

In general, combining antidepressant medication with therapy is more effective than either alone, and therapy can also help you find ways to cope while waiting for your medication to start working. Amazon One Medical has a referral network of therapists and psychiatrists whom we know and trust that we can connect you to. And we’ll be there with you every step of the way.

Question 16

If I’m prescribed medication for treatment, do I have to be on it for the rest of my life?

Answer

It depends. Everyone is different, and the length of time you might need to take medication can vary. Some people take antidepressants for a few months, while others might need them for a few years. It depends on how you feel and how your body responds to the treatment. Your provider will check in on you routinely and partner with you to decide if and when it may be safest to try managing your symptoms without medication. It’s important to remember to talk with your provider before stopping any antidepressant medication.

Question 17

What treatment options for depression are available to those who are pregnant?

Answer

If you’re pregnant or planning for pregnancy, let your provider know. Treating depression during pregnancy is important for both the parent’s and baby’s health. Your provider will partner with you to determine which treatment is best for you and safest for your pregnancy.

Question 18

What do I do if I have thoughts of hurting myself or others?

Answer

If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or feel that life is too hard to keep living, or you’re in crisis and need to speak with someone immediately, help is available! Go to your nearest emergency room or call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also reach a trained crisis counselor by texting HOME to 741741. These services provide free, confidential crisis counseling 24/7. In less urgent situations, your healthcare provider can help you create a suicide safety plan that you can lean on when things get tough.

Question 19

What if I’m concerned that a friend or family member may want to hurt themselves?

Answer

If you suspect a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, the best thing to do is listen to them and ask questions. If your conversation leaves you feeling concerned or worried for your loved one’s safety, get a professional involved. Urge them to book an appointment with a therapist or other trusted provider, or offer to do it for them. If you sense there is an immediate risk of suicide or self-harm, call 911.

You can learn more about supporting a loved one who’s struggling with their mental health on the One Medical blog.

Question 20

Clinical sources

Answer

1. Cipriani, A., Furukawa, T. A., Salanti, G., Chaimani, A., Atkinson, L. Z., Ogawa, Y., Leucht, S., Ruhe, H. G., Turner, E. H., Higgins, J. P. T., Egger, M., Takeshima, N., Hayasaka, Y., Imai, H., Shinohara, K., Tajika, A., Ioannidis, J. P. A., & Geddes, J. R. (2018). Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet (London, England), 391(10128), 1357–1366. Accessed from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5889788/

2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Major depression. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression

Depression

Request a prescription renewal with 24/7 virtual care

Membership

Pay-per-visit

Get help for your health concerns with in-office visits and 24/7 virtual care

$9

$69

Request a prescription renewal with 24/7 virtual care

Membership

Pay-per-visit

Request a prescription renewal with 24/7 virtual care

Get help for your health concerns with in-office visits and 24/7 virtual care

$9

$69

What is depression?

An overview of depression

Common depression and anxiety medications (antidepressants)

Related conditions that One Medical treats

Anxiety and panic attacks

Mental health

Not sure where to start?

Frequently asked questions

About Amazon One Medical

About depression treatment