Top telehealth providers for Mounjaro compared

The mental health crisis hasn’t gone away—and neither has the demand for accessible, affordable care. For millions of Americans juggling work, family, and their own wellbeing, telehealth promised a lifeline: mental health treatment from the comfort of home, without the weeks-long wait for a psychiatrist appointment.

But as the telehealth industry matured through 2024 and into 2025, the landscape shifted dramatically. High-profile shutdowns, federal investigations, and tightening regulations have left many patients wondering: Can I still get my ADHD medication online? Will my anxiety prescription be refilled? Which telehealth platforms are actually legitimate?

This guide cuts through the confusion. We’ll explore what major telehealth providers can and cannot prescribe in 2026, compare costs and services across platforms, and help you understand how regulatory changes affect your access to care—whether you’re managing ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, or depression.

The Telehealth Reckoning: Why Some Providers Disappeared

Between 2020 and 2022, mental health telehealth exploded. Companies like Cerebral, Done, and Ahead promised fast access to psychiatric care and medications—including controlled substances like Adderall and Xanax—with minimal barriers.

But convenience came at a cost. By mid-2022, cracks began to show:

Cerebral, once valued at $4.8 billion, faced scrutiny for allegedly pressuring clinicians to prescribe stimulants and operating with inadequate medical oversight. In May 2022, the company abruptly stopped prescribing ADHD stimulants to new patients. By November 2024, Cerebral agreed to pay $3.65 million to settle federal allegations of unauthorized controlled substance distribution.

Done Global, which specialized exclusively in ADHD care, saw its CEO and president criminally indicted in June 2024 on charges of distributing Adderall and Ritalin ‘outside the scope of legitimate medical practice.’ Federal prosecutors alleged the company generated over $100 million through what amounted to an online pill mill. The service effectively ceased operations.

Ahead (HelloAhead) shut down entirely in 2022 due to operational and financial pressures, leaving patients scrambling for alternative care.

These failures weren’t just business stumbles—they represented a fundamental tension in digital healthcare: balancing accessibility with safety, and speed with quality.

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What Changed: The New Rules for Prescribing Controlled Substances Online

The Ryan Haight Act normally requires an in-person medical evaluation before prescribing controlled substances. During COVID-19, the DEA temporarily waived this requirement to expand telehealth access. That waiver has been repeatedly extended—most recently through December 2025—but its future remains uncertain.

As regulatory scrutiny intensified, most telehealth platforms adopted stricter prescribing policies, particularly for three categories of medications:

Schedule II Stimulants (ADHD Medications)

Drugs like Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, and Concerta are now rarely prescribed through direct-to-consumer telehealth platforms. After the controversies surrounding Done and Cerebral, most general telehealth services—including Teladoc, MDLive, PlushCare, and Amwell—do not prescribe these medications at all, even for established patients.

The exception: Full-service psychiatric telehealth providers like Talkiatry, which operates within insurance networks and employs board-certified psychiatrists, continue to prescribe stimulants when medically appropriate after comprehensive evaluation.

Benzodiazepines (Anti-Anxiety Medications)

Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, and similar benzodiazepines are also widely restricted. Platforms including Brightside, Cerebral, PlushCare, Teladoc, and Amwell explicitly prohibit prescribing these medications via telehealth due to addiction risks and regulatory concerns.

Patients seeking anxiety treatment through these platforms receive alternatives like SSRIs (Lexapro, Zoloft), SNRIs, or buspirone instead.

Sleep Medications

So-called ‘Z-drugs’ like Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata face similar restrictions. Most telehealth providers do not prescribe these controlled sleep aids, instead recommending non-controlled options like trazodone, hydroxyzine, or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

Comparing Major Telehealth Providers: Who Prescribes What in 2026

The table below summarizes current policies across leading platforms:

Platform-by-Platform Breakdown

Cerebral continues operating but with a dramatically different focus. After halting stimulant prescriptions in 2022, the company now emphasizes therapy and non-controlled medications for depression, anxiety, and insomnia. While they still accept existing ADHD patients (grandfathered from before May 2022), they won’t diagnose new ADHD cases or start controlled medications. Their subscription model ($99-365/month depending on services) remains, though patient reviews cite concerns about provider turnover and customer service responsiveness.

Brightside positions itself as a conservative, safety-focused option for depression and anxiety. The platform explicitly does not treat ADHD or prescribe any controlled substances. Instead, it focuses on genetic testing-guided medication management using SSRIs, SNRIs, and other non-controlled options. This approach appeals to patients who prefer avoiding controlled medications entirely, but it also means Brightside can’t help with conditions requiring those treatments. Pricing runs $95/month for medication management alone, or $349/month for combined therapy and psychiatry.

Talkiatry stands out as one of the few platforms still offering comprehensive psychiatric care including controlled substances. Operating within insurance networks across 43 states, Talkiatry employs board-certified psychiatrists who can prescribe stimulants, benzodiazepines, and other controlled medications when clinically appropriate. The trade-off? Patients sometimes face longer wait times (1-3 weeks for initial appointments) and less flexibility than cash-pay services. With insurance, co-pays typically run $25-75; without coverage, expect $250-400 for initial evaluations and $150+ for follow-ups.

PlushCare, MDLive, Teladoc, and Amwell all serve as general-purpose telehealth platforms covering everything from sinus infections to UTIs to basic mental health. Their controlled substance policies are uniformly restrictive: none will prescribe ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines, or most sleep medications. These platforms work well for straightforward concerns—prescribing SSRIs for depression, discussing therapy options, or providing non-controlled medications—but patients with ADHD or complex psychiatric needs typically need to look elsewhere. Costs vary widely based on insurance coverage, ranging from $0 (fully covered) to $100+ per visit.

Hims & Hers takes a lifestyle-wellness approach, focusing on conditions like mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression alongside hair loss, sexual health, and weight management. The platform doesn’t prescribe controlled substances but has carved out a niche in GLP-1 weight loss medications (like Wegovy and Ozempic) and testosterone replacement therapy. Monthly medication plans run around $85, with therapy sessions available separately for $99 each. The platform operates on a cash-pay basis (though HSA/FSA eligible) rather than accepting insurance.

What This Means for Patients: Finding Care That Fits Your Needs

If You Need ADHD Treatment

Your options have narrowed considerably. For new ADHD diagnoses requiring stimulant medication, Talkiatry remains one of few telehealth options, though wait times and insurance navigation can be frustrating. Some patients have better luck with in-person psychiatry or hybrid models that combine telehealth with occasional in-person visits.

If you’re already established on ADHD medication with a prescriber who’s moved to a new platform or left, ask about continuity options. Some grandfathered patients at Cerebral maintained access to stimulants through 2023, though this is no longer the norm.

For ADHD patients seeking non-medication support or non-controlled medication options (like Strattera, Wellbutrin, or Qelbree), platforms like Brightside or general services can provide therapy and medication management at lower cost points.

If You Have Anxiety or Depression

Most telehealth platforms excel here, offering SSRIs, SNRIs, and therapy without controlled substance concerns. Brightside specifically targets these conditions with medication optimization and genetic testing. Cerebral remains active for anxiety and depression treatment despite ADHD restrictions.

If you specifically need benzodiazepines for panic disorder or severe anxiety, Talkiatry’s psychiatric model may be necessary, as most other platforms won’t prescribe these medications remotely.

If You Struggle with Insomnia

Expect non-controlled options across most platforms: trazodone, hydroxyzine, doxepin, or melatonin. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is increasingly recommended and some platforms offer this digitally.

For controlled sleep medications like Ambien, you’ll likely need traditional in-person care or Talkiatry.

If Cost Is Your Primary Concern

Insurance-based options (Talkiatry, Teladoc through employers, MDLive) typically offer the lowest out-of-pocket costs if you have good coverage. Co-pays often run $10-50 per visit.

Cash-pay services vary widely:

• PlushCare: $129/visit (à la carte)
• Brightside: $95-349/month (subscription)
• Cerebral: $99-365/month (subscription)
• Hims & Hers: $85/month (medication)

Klarity Health offers a middle ground: transparent, à la carte pricing ($149 initial evaluation, $59 follow-ups, $25 refill requests) without requiring monthly subscriptions. You pay only when you need care, which often costs less than subscription services if you don’t need frequent visits.

Where Klarity Health Fits In: Responsible Access Without the Extremes

The telehealth shakeout of 2022-2025 revealed two problematic extremes: services that prescribed controlled substances too freely (Done, early Cerebral) and platforms that refuse to prescribe them at all (Brightside, general telehealth).

Patients fell through the gaps—either unable to access legitimately needed ADHD or anxiety medications, or receiving inadequate oversight when they did.

Klarity Health was built to address this middle ground: providing comprehensive psychiatric care with proper medical evaluation, treating conditions that others won’t (including ADHD, PTSD, and insomnia), and prescribing controlled medications when clinically appropriate—not as a default, but as one tool among many.

Key Differences:

Specialized but Comprehensive: Unlike Brightside (which doesn’t treat ADHD) or PlushCare (which focuses on primary care), Klarity specializes in behavioral health across a full spectrum: ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, insomnia, binge eating disorder, and more.

Transparent Pricing: No subscription lock-in. You’re not billed monthly whether you need an appointment or not. Initial evaluations cost $149, follow-ups $59, and simple refill requests just $25—often less expensive than competitors’ monthly fees.

Both Insurance and Cash: Klarity accepts insurance and offers clear cash-pay rates, giving you flexibility other platforms don’t. This matters especially for patients with high-deductible plans where ‘in-network’ services still cost hundreds until deductibles are met.

Provider Availability: While Talkiatry patients sometimes wait weeks for appointments, Klarity prioritizes rapid access—often scheduling initial evaluations within days. Continuity of care means you see the same provider rather than whoever’s available, addressing a common complaint about larger platforms.

Responsible Prescribing: Klarity providers can prescribe controlled substances when medically indicated—but only after thorough evaluation and with appropriate monitoring. This balanced approach fills the void left by Done’s collapse and serves patients who legitimate need these medications but can’t access them through overly restrictive platforms.

The Road Ahead: What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond

Regulatory Uncertainty

The temporary DEA waiver allowing controlled substance prescribing via telehealth expires December 2025. While extensions are likely given political and healthcare industry pressure, long-term policy remains unclear. Some scenarios:

• Extended status quo: Waiver continues, allowing current practices
• Hybrid requirement: Initial controlled substance prescription requires in-person visit, but refills can be managed via telehealth
• Full reversion: All controlled substance prescriptions require in-person evaluation

This uncertainty is driving some telehealth companies to establish physical clinic partnerships or pivot away from controlled substances entirely.

Continued Consolidation

Expect more mergers, acquisitions, and exits. Smaller single-condition startups struggle against well-funded competitors and regulatory headwinds. Traditional healthcare systems (CVS, Walgreens, UnitedHealth) continue expanding their own telehealth capabilities, potentially squeezing independent providers.

For patients, this means: choose platforms with financial stability and regulatory compliance. The disappearance of Done and Ahead left thousands of patients suddenly without care—a risk worth considering.

Emerging Treatment Options

Telehealth is expanding beyond traditional medications:

• Ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression
• GLP-1 medications for binge eating disorder (beyond weight loss)
• Digital therapeutics (FDA-cleared apps) as medication alternatives
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) delivered virtually

Platforms that integrate these innovative approaches alongside standard psychiatric care may gain competitive advantages.

FAQ: Common Questions About Online Mental Health Prescriptions

Q: Can I get Adderall or Ritalin prescribed online in 2026?
A: It’s much harder than it was in 2020-2022. Most direct-to-consumer telehealth platforms (Teladoc, Amwell, PlushCare, Brightside, Hims & Hers) do not prescribe ADHD stimulants at all. Talkiatry and some other psychiatry-specific services do prescribe them, but only after comprehensive evaluation by a psychiatrist. Specialized platforms like Klarity Health also offer ADHD treatment including controlled medications when clinically appropriate.

Q: Why won’t my telehealth provider prescribe Xanax for my anxiety?
A: Most telehealth platforms have policies against prescribing benzodiazepines due to addiction risk, regulatory scrutiny, and DEA rules. Instead, they typically recommend SSRIs (like Lexapro or Zoloft), SNRIs, buspirone, or therapy-based approaches. If you specifically need benzodiazepines, you’ll likely need to work with an in-person psychiatrist or a psychiatry-focused telehealth service that allows them under close monitoring.

Q: Are telehealth mental health prescriptions covered by insurance?
A: It depends on the platform. Services like Talkiatry, MDLive, Teladoc, and Amwell widely accept insurance and bill as standard medical visits. Subscription-based platforms (Cerebral, Brightside, Hims & Hers) typically operate on cash-pay models, though some accept FSA/HSA cards. Klarity Health accepts both insurance and cash pay, providing flexibility regardless of your coverage situation.

Q: What if my telehealth provider suddenly stops prescribing my medication?
A: This happened to thousands of Cerebral patients in 2022. If you’re on controlled medications via telehealth, have a backup plan: ask your provider about transition options, maintain records of your prescription history, and consider establishing care with a local psychiatrist as a safety net. Avoid platforms with regulatory problems or financial instability.

Q: Can I use telehealth for medication refills if I was diagnosed in person?
A: Often yes, especially for non-controlled medications. Many platforms happily manage ongoing prescriptions for antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or other medications initially prescribed elsewhere. For controlled substances, policies vary—some require transfer of care with new evaluation, others won’t accept transfers at all. Always check the specific platform’s policy.

Taking the Next Step: Finding the Right Telehealth Mental Health Solution

The telehealth mental health landscape in 2026 looks dramatically different than it did during the pandemic boom. Patients now benefit from clearer regulation, more transparent pricing, and platforms that prioritize quality over growth-at-all-costs.

But choice can be overwhelming. As you evaluate options:

✓ Clarify your needs: Do you need therapy alone, medication management, or both? Do you require controlled substances or prefer alternatives?

✓ Check prescribing policies: If you have ADHD, severe anxiety, or insomnia, verify the platform can actually treat your condition before signing up.

✓ Compare total costs: Subscriptions may cost more than per-visit pricing if you don’t need frequent appointments. Calculate your annual expense under different models.

✓ Verify provider credentials: Ensure your care comes from licensed psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or physicians—not just coaches or counselors.

✓ Read recent reviews: Platforms change rapidly. Look for 2024-2025 patient experiences, not reviews from the pandemic era.

✓ Confirm coverage area: Not all platforms serve all states, and some restrict services state-by-state even if technically available.

If you’re struggling to find care that meets your needs—perhaps you’ve been turned away for needing ADHD medication, frustrated by subscription fees, or overwhelmed by wait times—Klarity Health offers an alternative worth considering. With board-certified providers, transparent pricing, rapid appointment availability, and willingness to treat conditions others won’t, Klarity combines the accessibility of telehealth with the comprehensive care of traditional psychiatry.

Mental health treatment shouldn’t require choosing between convenience and quality, or between affordability and effectiveness. The right platform meets you where you are—literally and figuratively.

Ready to explore your options? Visit Klarity Health to learn more about appointment availability, pricing, and whether their specialized approach fits your needs. Because everyone deserves access to mental healthcare that’s both legitimate and accessible.

Research Sources & Citations

This article is based on verified information from the following authoritative sources:

1. AP News – ‘California telehealth executives charged with distributing Adderall,’ Associated Press, June 14, 2024. View source

2. TIME Magazine – ‘Why Online Therapy Startups Are Falling Short,’ TIME, November 1, 2022. View source

3. TechTarget Healthcare IT News – ‘Pushing ADHD telehealth prescriptions costs Cerebral millions,’ November 6, 2024. View source

4. Teladoc Health – Official Prescription Policy FAQ (Updated 2023). View source

5. PlushCare – Controlled Substances Policy (Updated 2025). View source

📅 Research Currency Statement:
Verified as of January 4, 2026. Provider statuses, prescribing policies, and pricing confirmed through official websites, recent news reports (2024-2025), and regulatory filings. Key developments include Done Global’s June 2024 federal indictment, Cerebral’s November 2024 settlement, and FDA’s September 2025 warnings regarding compounded weight-loss medications.

Source:

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• https://finvsfin.com/hims-anxiety-reviews/#:~:text=Out%20of%20pocket%2C%20Hims%20will,99%20for%20each%20counseling%20session
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