LiveHealth Online Psychology, Psychiatry offer virtual behavioral healthcare

Courtesy of Anthem, Purdue’s medical plan administrator, LiveHealth Online Psychology and LiveHealth Online Psychiatry, which support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program, provide online access to psychologists and medication management support for common behavioral conditions such as major depressive disorder, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

LiveHealth Online Psychology and Psychiatry services have been well received by the Purdue population and engagement continues to rise. Since 2019, we’ve seen a 250 percent increase (from 193 visits in 2019 to 496 visits in 2021) in utilization for behavioral health services with LiveHealth Online. In addition, the satisfaction rating – average 4.7 / 5 – of the services provided has been maintained the entire time.

“Because our behavioral health is just as important as our physical health, Purdue has a variety of mental health resources, tools and options available to the Purdue community,” said Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits in Human Resources. “And just like with physical health providers and care, there needs to be a variety of mental health options to choose from in order to select the type of care that best meets each individual’s specific needs. One of the options Purdue has available is the complete virtual approach of LiveHealth Online Psychology and LiveHealth Online Psychiatry.”    

• LiveHealth Online Psychology – LiveHealth Online psychologists/therapists provide talk therapy and do not diagnose patients or write prescriptions. Dependents, age 10 to 17 who are covered on a Purdue health plan, can also utilize LiveHealth Online Psychology for therapy visits. For more information, view these short videos:
  • “What are the benefits of seeing a therapist or psychologist online?”
  • “When are some good situations to consider seeing a psychologist or therapist?”
  • “What happens during a typical visit?”
    
    
• LiveHealth Online Psychiatry – LiveHealth Online psychiatrists can prescribe medication (excluding controlled substances) or help manage any medication individuals might be taking for a behavioral health condition.
  
  Psychiatrists on LiveHealth Online can prescribe non-controlled prescription alternatives in many situations. Common non-controlled prescriptions include:
  • Lamictal
  • Prozac®
  • Celexa®
  • Cymbalta®
  • Lexapro®
  • Wellbutrin®
  • Trazodone®
  • Naloxon
  • Effexor®
  • Azona®
  • Lithium
  • Favarin
  • Tofranil
  • Avanza
  • Seroxat
  • Lustral®
  • Intuniv®
  • Strattera®
  • Anafranil
  • Doxepin

Psychiatrists on LiveHealth Online cannot prescribe controlled substances, including Xanax®, Ativan®, Valium®, Lunesta®, Ambien®, Methadose, Adderall®, Ritalin®, Vyvanse® and Klonopin.

See the  LiveHealth Online Psychiatry pdf for more details. Additionally, for more information, view these short videos:

• “What are the benefits of seeing a psychiatrist online?”
• “What happens during an initial evaluation?”
• “Can I get a prescription as a result of my visit? How does that work?”

Insurance coverage

LiveHealth Online visits are a covered benefit under all of Purdue’s health plans, and the therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists are in-network providers. 

Questions

For more information on LiveHealth Online mental health options, visit the “See a licensed therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist” web page.

Any questions regarding benefits coverage and / or mental health resources available to faculty, staff and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan, can be directed to Human Resources at hr@purdue.edu, HRHelp (secure email) or by phone at 765-494-2222 or toll-free at 877-725-0222.