The Bottom Line
Talkiatry isn't a typical telehealth "platform"—it's a high-tech psychiatric practice that only accepts insurance. No cash-pay option exists. The tradeoff: you get 60-minute intake sessions (double the industry standard), employed psychiatrists (W2, not contractors), and comprehensive medication management including controlled substances. If you have good insurance and need serious psychiatric care, Talkiatry is the most clinically rigorous option online.
What Makes Talkiatry Different
Most online psychiatry works like this: quick 15-minute med checks, contractor psychiatrists paid per appointment, and limited medication options due to telehealth prescribing restrictions.
Talkiatry explicitly rejected this model. Their psychiatrists are W2 employees, not gig workers. Initial evaluations run 60 minutes—enough time to actually understand a patient's history. And they're structured as an in-network medical practice, not a direct-to-consumer app.
Pricing
Talkiatry has no cash-pay option. You must have accepted insurance.
Cost Structure
| Without Insurance | Not available |
| With Insurance | Your copay only (~$20-$50) |
| Initial Evaluation | 60 minutes |
| Follow-ups | 30 minutes typical |
Insurance Accepted
Talkiatry accepts a broad range of insurance plans:
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (most plans)
- United Healthcare
- Some Medicare and Medicaid plans
- Many regional insurers
Check their website with your specific plan—coverage varies by state and plan type.
Key Features
60-Minute Intake Sessions
This is Talkiatry's most distinctive feature. While competitors rush through 15-30 minute evaluations, Talkiatry gives psychiatrists a full hour to understand your history, current symptoms, past medication trials, and treatment goals.
This matters because psychiatric diagnosis is complex. A thorough initial evaluation leads to better treatment decisions and fewer medication changes down the line.
Comprehensive Medication Management
Talkiatry psychiatrists can prescribe the full range of psychiatric medications, including controlled substances (stimulants, benzodiazepines) where legally permitted. This sets them apart from platforms like Cerebral that have restricted prescribing.
Age Range
Talkiatry treats both children (5+) and adults—another rarity in online psychiatry, where many platforms are adult-only.
What Users Say
What People Like
- High trust due to medical practice model (not gig economy)
- Thorough 60-minute initial evaluations
- Excellent for complex medication management (ADHD, bipolar)
- Affordable with insurance (just copay)
Common Complaints
- Completely inaccessible to uninsured users
- Strict cancellation policies
- No therapy services—psychiatry/medication only
- Wait times for appointments can vary by location
Who Should Consider Talkiatry
- Anyone with good insurance needing psychiatric medication management
- Patients with complex conditions (bipolar, treatment-resistant depression, ADHD)
- Those who want longer, more thorough evaluations
- Parents seeking child/adolescent psychiatry (5+)
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Uninsured users (no cash-pay option exists)
- Those seeking talk therapy (Talkiatry is psychiatry only)
- Users wanting a quick, casual med check service
Final Verdict
Talkiatry is the most clinically serious online psychiatry option available. The 60-minute intakes, employed psychiatrists, and in-network model all signal genuine medical care rather than telehealth-as-a-commodity.
The catch: it's only for people with insurance. If you're uninsured, Talkiatry simply isn't an option. But if you have coverage and need psychiatric medication management—especially for complex conditions—Talkiatry delivers what a psychiatric practice should.