Prairie Health Overview

Depression and anxiety are both super serious mental health issues. In fact, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) states that about 50% of Americans will deal with some form of anxiety, depression, or a combination of both at some point in their lifetimes. And regardless of the severity (mild, severe, or somewhere in between), these mental health conditions can be debilitating. Common symptoms can include anything from lack of energy and interest to feelings of hopelessness and excessive worrying. Simply put, dealing with depression and anxiety sucks! 

After doing some quick search engine research (Googling), we found that somewhere between 23 and 28% of people who deal with mental health issues actually seek out the help they need. This is utterly shocking to us, but one of the reasons people don’t get help is due to accessibility and affordability, which after some thought, makes total sense. However, thanks to telemedicine (online) companies like Prairie Health, there are now ways around getting the mental health care that people desperately need and can afford. 

Prairie Health is an online doctor platform that focuses solely on anxiety and depression, connecting people to experienced, board-certified psychiatrists and expert Care Partners for personalized treatment options, medication management, and ongoing support for one flat monthly cost of $99. One thing that sets Prairie apart from the competition; they use genetic testing to ensure each patient is treated uniquely and prescribed the right medication the first time (we’ll touch more on this a bit later). With Prairie, gone are the days of continuously trying out and switching antidepressants every three months to see which one works best for you.    

If you live in California,* have been diagnosed, or are suffering from symptoms of anxiety or depression, and would like to have access to a board-certified psychiatrist that can provide pharmacotherapy, Prairie Health just might be the answer you’ve been searching for! Read on to learn more about the first genetic-backed online doctor and medication platform that can help you get back to feeling like yourself.

*This is the only state they can provide services in...for now

How Does Prairie Health Work?

Most telemedicine companies only set their patients up with generalists and nurse practitioners. Yes, they might be experts in those fields, however, only Prairie connects you with board-certified psychiatrists (who are medical doctors and are easily confused with psychologists) who specialize in diagnosing and treating depression and anxiety. They do this solely for the purpose of treating each patient as not just a patient but as a person, that each person has a unique story behind their anxiety and depression, that each person should be diagnosed, not as a number, but in a thoughtful manner. 

Prairie Health prides itself on many things, and like we briefly mentioned above, three things truly set them apart from other online doctor providers:

1. Pharmacogenetic testing

2. Personalized care management

3. An integrated healthcare ecosystem

Pharmacogenetic Testing (Genetic testing)

As one of the flashiest (and FREE) things that Prairie provides, genetic testing is used to reduce the guesswork of a person’s diagnosis, prescription, and ongoing care. They believe that when the wrong medication or dosage is prescribed, it can set your journey to healing back months. Without using your genetic makeup as part of your diagnosis, you could likely experience unwanted side effects had you not used this information. Cue Prairie’s saliva-based DNA test! 

Personalized Care Management

Navigating anxiety and depression can be debilitating, especially if you’re feeling alone or like you’re the only person in the entire world dealing with this mental health issue. Well, as soon as you become a Prairie member, they not only connect you with a board-certified psychiatrist but also with a dedicated Care Partner that will hold your hand throughout your entire care journey. Care Partners are trained mental health professionals with years of experience and will become your trusted advisor and advocate. Your Care Partner is there to make sure you never feel alone. 

It is important to mention that each of Prairie's Care Partners is extensively trained in providing top-notch support surrounding mental health issues, however, they are not licensed therapists or psychologists. 

Integrated Healthcare Ecosystem

Prairie Health believes that everyone deserves quality healthcare, which goes far beyond just mental health. They care so much for each member that they go above and beyond, offering their members access to a network of doctors in other fields, such as Gynecologists, PCPs, endocrinologists, and therapists, to ensure members get the best overall healthcare. 

How To Get Started With Prairie Health

Getting started with Prairie is simple - you can be on your way to feeling better and more like yourself in five steps. 

1. Fill out an initial form on Prairie’s website - This form will help determine whether Prairie is able to support your mental health.

2. Meet your care team, AKA your dedicated Care Partner that be with you throughout your journey. This call is for you and your team to discuss your symptoms, medical history, including any medications you’re currently taking or have taken in the past, and give you an opportunity to talk about what’s bothering you. Think of this as the intake form you’d fill out at a doctor’s office, but much less robotic. 

3. Your Welcome Package and DNA test will be shipped directly to you. Once you’ve supplied a whole bunch of saliva, you’ll send it back to their lab for processing. 

4. Get a treatment plan designed by your board-certified Psychiatrist based specifically on your medical history and genetic test results. If medication is part of your plan, it will be shipped straight to your door in discreet packaging because no one wants their business out there for everyone to see. 

5. Benefit from Ongoing Care. Check-in with your Psychiatrist and Care Partner monthly via scheduled video/phone sessions to talk through how it’s going, AND best of all, your Care Partner is there for you whenever you need them via text support. 

Where Does Prairie Health Operate?

Prairie currently operates in California only. BUT, (and this is big) if you live in another state, keep Prairie in the back of your mind. They have plans in place to expand into other markets throughout 2021. 

What Conditions Does Prairie Health Treat?

Prairie is focused on helping people manage anxiety and depression. Their board-certified psychiatrists and Care Partners specialize in and have a background in these two conditions, so if you think you’re suffering from another mental health condition, you might consider looking elsewhere. 

Prairie Health does provide its members care counseling services, however, this is not intended to be a replacement for therapy. 

Please keep in mind that Prairie is more than happy to connect you with another doctor in one of their trusted medical networks. Even if Prairie can’t help you, they still want you to get the best help possible. 

What Medications Does Prairie Health Prescribe?

If medication is the right course of treatment, Prairie offers a wide range of FDA-approved, non-controlled medications, including SSRIs, NDRIs, SNRIs, and Alpha-Agonists. Commonly prescribed medications include: 

• Bupropion (generic Wellbutrin)

• Citalopram (generic Celexa)

• Duloxetine (generic Cymbalta)

• Escitalopram (generic Lexapro)

• Fluoxetine (generic Prozac

• Paroxetine (generic Paxil)

• Sertraline (generic Zoloft)

• Venlafaxine (generic Effexor)

Is Prairie Health Legit?

Prairie was founded by four Stanford graduates that have seen time and time again the adverse effects of inefficient medication management. After being inspired by their own experiences navigating the mental healthcare system for themselves and their loved ones, they decided to mitigate the system’s painful deficiencies, giving people a more affordable way to access excellent care. Their mission is to "leverage research and technology to empower everyone to achieve better mental health." Their understanding and knowledge of combining mental health with genetics gives Prairie the upper hand, allowing them to share their knowledge of how genetics can impact a person’s response to certain medications.

They work directly with one pharmacy partner, cutting out the Rx middleman, and send all prescriptions safely and discreetly, straight to your front door. 

Prairie will never sell or distribute your information and follow strict HIPPA regulations to keep you and your private information, well, private.     

Pricing: How Much Does Prairie Health Cost?

Prairie offers its members one plan that’s incredibly transparent and affordable care to treat anxiety and depression.

• Medication + Counseling - $99/month, plus $15/month for medication ($114 total/ month) - this includes:

• FREE genetic testing

• Monthly online Psychiatrist visits

• Dedicated Care Partner 

• Monthly Care Partner counseling via video/phone and Unlimited messaging

• FREE medication delivery 

They are currently offering 30% off your first month - no promo code needed.

What Do We Think of Prairie Health?

Bottom line - Prairie Health is the bomb! If you live anywhere in California, you would be doing yourself a disservice by not at the very least checking them out online. Once you get a feel for how they’re changing the scope of mental health and how much they actually care for the wellbeing of the human race, you’ll know they’re an excellent fit for you. 

We had the privilege of chatting with one of the founders, and after the scheduled 15 minutes were up, we wanted to learn more! The way these folks see mental health and the way they focus on quality and effective care is incredible and infectious -- If only there were more people in the world like them. 

If you’re suffering from anxiety and depression, live in California, and want to feel like you’re being heard and taken care of, sign up with Prairie Health now. You won’t be disappointed. 

If you are in emotional distress or thinking about harming yourself at any point, please use these resources:

• Visit: If you are having a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local emergency room

• Text: The Crisis Text Line provides free, 24-hour, confidential help. Text ‘HOME’ to 741-741 to connect with a counselor immediately.

• Call: You can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK to talk with a live counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You are not alone.