<p>I have no idea about the legalities. This psychiatrist offered either a referral to a colleague or skype sessions to a young adult moving across country for a semester.</p>
<p>If you are a psychiatrist, I am surprised that anyone can get reimbursed for talk therapy with you! Do you even do it once a week, the old-fashioned way? (Actually, the really old-fashioned way was 5 times a week!)</p>
<p>We have corresponded here before, because it can be hard to find a psychiatrist who will do more than a 45 minute initial evaluation. We were told this was because insurance would not cover more, and insurance required a diagnosis in that first, short, interview.</p>
<p>You corrected that, perhaps also saying that you make less than most.</p>
<p>Alternatives, in case anyone wants to know, include free studies at hospitals (usually pretty lengthy evaluation) or going through a lot of hoops until insurance finally approves an MD who does a longer evaluation (proving you have tried others), or paying out of pocket.</p>
<p>I think, for anyone, including the OP, it is good to know that it is well worth it going to all that effort to find a psychiatrist who will do more than that minimal evaluation. </p>
<p>Shrinkwrap, people are lucky to have you!</p>