The telepsychiatry service allows clients who live outside of the Ames area to use an interactive service delivery system at The Richmond Center office in Carroll or at the Community and Family Resources office in Fort Dodge to conduct their appointment with a Richmond Center psychiatry provider. Consultation services from psychiatrists at the University of Iowa will also be available from any of the Richmond Center's available sites. During the winter months, this will allow one of the Center's psychiatrists to work from Arizona. At the site where the client receives the services, a nurse will be present with the client in order to clarify questions and assist with the equipment.

Currently the service is available to new and existing Medicaid clients of The Richmond Center. Story County, under specific conditions will pay for the telepsychiatric services as well. The Center is seeking approval from other funding sources and insurance carriers to cover this service.

Many of the Center's clients will benefit in that they will no longer need to travel to Ames for their appointment. This will save the client time and money.

The grant funds run through June 30, but the equipment will remain with The Richmond Center and we will continue to provide the telepsychiatric services. The Center will begin offering the services in Boone in July.

For more information, please contact Berniece Hostetler at 515-232-5811.