According to the CDC, 6.1 million kids, or 9.4%, have been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). And this number has continued to grow over time. The problem is that only 3 out of 4 children are diagnosed and treated for their ADHD symptoms, leaving them to grow into adults that struggle with the same symptoms.
In fact, 80% of people who are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood will have this disorder into adulthood. So whether you were diagnosed and treated as a child, diagnosed and untreated, or you are an adult that’s dealing with the symptoms now, there are now options available for you to get the help you need to manage your symptoms easily and conveniently.
I’ve taken a keen interest in telehealth over the course of this year and am blown away by what can be done online and from the comfort of your own home. You can now receive treatment for just about anything through the power of telehealth and the innovative companies that are spearheading these new platforms.
Today, I’m excited to walk you through the direct-to-consumer mental telehealth brand Hello Ahead, giving you all the information you need to know about this new telemedicine startup (see our entire list of outstanding telemedicine startups here) and how it can potentially help you cope with your ADHD symptoms.
Bringing ADHD Treatment to Light
ADHD Is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. This disorder is often diagnosed in childhood, but as I mentioned, it often carries into adulthood. It’s marked by difficulty paying attention, controlling behaviors, and being overly active.
Oftentimes, we simply dismiss this behavior in children, chalking it up to them being a “bad egg.” However, the truth is that there are a number of social, educational, and economic aspects that are at play.
So, if ADHD is so common and troublesome, why has there historically been a lack of information and treatment options? Luckily, the medical world is changing radically and there are companies like Hello Ahead that are bringing ADHD treatment into the open, making it accessible for everyone, and starting the conversations that so many desperately need. Ahead is normalizing ADHD and is helping people all over the country understand and treat their symptoms.
What is Hello Ahead? (detailed review)
Ahead (or helloahead.com) is a mental health platform that’s helping people with ADHD to move ahead (get it?). They’re on a mission to streamline and humanize mental healthcare, working hard to reach more people who need mental health and to make it safe and accessible for them to get the treatment they need.
Traditional treatment for ADHD involves scheduling a doctor’s visit, driving to the office, waiting in the waiting room, and then the exam room, talking with a doctor face-to-face about your symptoms and then going to the pharmacy to pick up your medication. While this may work for some people, there are even more that are unwilling to talk about their problem; they feel embarrassed, vulnerable, and exposed.
Ahead recognizes that there’s a stigma around mental health and knows that there are far too many people suffering in silence for fear of judgment so they made it easier and more discreet than ever before. With Ahead, you can seek professional medical attention from licensed doctors from the comfort of your own home on your schedule and receive your medications directly to your front door.
How Does Ahead Telemedicine for ADHD Work?
Whether this is your first time using a telehealth service or you’ve already tested the waters, you can expect the experience to be pretty similar across the board with all legit telehealth platforms, Ahead included. Here’s what you can expect:
Step 1
Complete the online questionnaire (takes about 10 minutes to complete) to see if you’re a good fit for Ahead.
Step 2
If you are deemed a good fit, you will then schedule your judgment-free evaluation with one of their mental health experts. This visit is done via a secure video chat and can be done when it’s convenient for you. The session is very comprehensive and will take anywhere from 60-75 minutes.
Step 3
During your initial consultation, your provider will determine what treatment, if any, is appropriate for your symptoms.
Step 4
If you are prescribed a medication, it will be sent to your home within 2-3 business days.
Step 5
Initially, your provider will schedule monthly appointments to check in with you and see how your treatment plan is progressing. Once your treatment is optimized, you can then expect to check-in with your provider only every 2-3 months via video chat. You will always have the same provider!
Step 6
Should you need a prescription refill between your visits, you can send a direct message to their care team who will communicate with your provider and pharmacy to make sure you get your prescription and that there are no lapses in treatment.
Want to see someone in person for your visits? Ahead has physical clinic locations in the following cities: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle. Due to COVID-19, some clinics may still be closed, so be sure to check availability first.
What States Are Available Online?
In order for telehealth providers to provide a legitimate service, they must have licensed providers in the states where treatment is being rendered, even though the service can technically be provided anywhere in the country. Currently, Ahead is licensed in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Oregon
- Washington
If you don’t see your state listed here yet, be sure to check back in often as they are working hard to secure coverage for all states.
What Prescriptions Are Available From Ahead for ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety?
Ahead is truly a brand that’s focused on helping those who are dealing with ADHD, however, they also treat people for anxiety and depression as they are closely linked to ADHD. In fact, studies show that up to 30% of children who have ADHD also suffer from depression or some other kind of mood disorder, and as we know now, these problems often carry from childhood into adulthood.
Some of the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications in the US are Adderall, Vyvanse, and Mydayis, all three of which are also commonly prescribed by the doctors at Ahead. For depression and anxiety, they often prescribe common SSRIs and SNRIs, but it’s important to keep in mind that treating depression often requires some degree of trial and error as you figure out what works best for you and your body. This is where virtual doctor visits come in handy as you can consult with your doctor whenever you need.
If you have depression or think you may have depression and aren’t facing ADHD, too, you may want to check out Cerebral, as this D2C telehealth brand focuses strictly on anxiety and depression.Does Ahead Accept Insurance?
Yes, but not in the traditional way. Ahead is considered to be an out-of-network provider for most insurance companies when it comes to your provider visits (online or in-person consults and appointments), which means that you can submit your bill from Ahead to your insurance provider, they will process it as an out-of-network claim and then reimburse you for the money you paid to Ahead.
Basically, since Ahead is not in your insurance’s network, they can’t accept their claims, but if you pre-pay Ahead and then submit your claim yourself, there’s a good chance they will process it and provide you with reimbursement. Keep in mind that every insurance plan is different and that you may want to call the number on the back of your insurance card first to verify your out-of-network benefits.
When it comes to prescription medications, Ahead accepts most insurance plans which means that you would only be responsible for your copay as you would had you done anywhere else to be prescribed medication. If you don’t have insurance coverage, the cost of medication can be anywhere between $40-$80 per month, with certain medications being more expensive than others.
How Much Does Ahead for ADHD Cost?
First, the cost of your treatment with Ahead will vary based on your individual needs. Your first appointment costs $30 to reserve, which will be deducted from the total appointment cost of $275 after your first visit is completed.
If you require prescription medication, you will have follow-up appointments to manage and track your progress and symptoms, each of these appointments will cost $160 each and will be either monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly, depending on your personal treatment plan and needs.
If you are getting medication management + therapy from one of their licensed therapists, your follow up appointments will be $275 per appointment. Again, the frequency by which these happen will depend on your unique situation.
For context, the research conducted by Consumer Reports shows that the minimum cost for ADHD evaluation in a low-cost area like Des Moine, IA, is $100 and in a high-cost area like Los Angeles it’s $375, but those are just the minimums, the average is actually between $686 and $1634 for ADHD evaluations - this doesn’t even include the cost of medications!
In a study conducted by Attitude, an ADHD resource, only 8% of 600 participants stated that their insurance plan covered the costs of ADHD care at 100%. This leaves 92% of people paying high out-of-pocket costs for the care and treatment they need to manage their condition and live their lives to the fullest. Sadly, the high-cost of treatment and the lack of insurance coverage deters many from seeking the help they need because they simply cannot afford it.
Luckily, this is exactly why companies like Hello Ahead were started. They are not only making the costs more manageable and therefore more accessible, but they are making the task of seeking treatment easier, more convenient, and less shameful.
What Are The Benefits of Ahead ADHD?
There are so many reasons why people are turning to online healthcare as their new preferred way to seek treatment. You can now get treatment for everything from yeast infections and BV and birth control prescriptions to primary care and urgent care visits.
Below are some of the unique benefits of using Ahead for ADHD:
- Easy online appointment booking around your schedule and done from the comfort of your own home.
- Meet with a licensed doctor online and avoid the hassle and stress involved with going to an in-person doctor’s visit.
- Automated prescription delivery right to your door each month - no calling the pharmacy for a refill or experiencing any lapses in coverage.
- Access to both prescription medications and therapy from licensed providers who are fully compliant with HIPAA, DEA, board of pharmacy, and your state.
- The option to visit their in-person offices in various cities around the US.
The Bottom Line: Is hello ahead ADHD legit?
Telehealth is transforming the healthcare industry in profound ways. I have been researching and using telehealth for myself quite a bit over the last couple of years and am excited to share these amazing platforms with my readers.
For anyone who’s suffering with ADHD, you can feel confident knowing that care is accessible and that you can get the treatment you need without dealing with the traditional, in-person healthcare route, which can be a deterrent to many who deal with problems of any kind, not just ADHD.
Although the cost of using Ahead for ADHD seems steep, when compared to the average cost of traditional healthcare, it can actually be a savings. You also have to factor in the convenience aspect, which is worthwhile in and of itself for many considering you can get access to a licensed medication professional and get medications delivered to your door without ever having to leave your home.
Hello Ahead is making giant strides in the ADHD community, seeking to help the thousands of people who are currently untreated for one reason or another. Get started with Ahead today and start the journey to feeling like yourself and living the quality of life that you deserve!
