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TeleHeadache

Frequently asked questions

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Eligibility · Membership · Ongoing care

TeleHeadache does not provide emergency care. Call 911 or seek emergency evaluation for urgent or potentially life-threatening symptoms.

171 answers across 19 topics

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01 / 10 answers

Getting started

A clear introduction to who we are, what to prepare, and how care begins.

What is TeleHeadache?

TeleHeadache is a neurologist-founded online headache-care service for adults. Start with a free basic eligibility check, choose a membership, then complete the detailed assessment. A licensed clinician reviews your completed assessment within 24 hours. When online care is appropriate, the clinician may create a personalized noncontrolled treatment plan and send an approved prescription to a participating specialty pharmacy. See how it works.

Who is TeleHeadache for?

TeleHeadache is designed for eligible adults age 18 and older with diagnosed or undiagnosed recurring headaches. You must be physically located in Florida when care is provided. It may be appropriate for a first evaluation, acute or preventive treatment, a medication change, or refill continuity.

Health coverage can also affect enrollment. Review insurance and eligibility before joining.

Can I begin at any time?

Online access is available 24/7. A licensed clinician reviews your completed assessment within 24 hours. This is asynchronous care, not live clinician access.

How long does the assessment take?

Allow time to give a detailed headache and medical history. The assessment collects symptoms, medications, safety information, insurance, and pharmacy details needed for clinician review. Having your medication list and relevant information ready can help.

What should I have available?

Have your current medication list, previous headache medications, medication allergies, relevant medical history, insurance card, approximate headache frequency, and pharmacy details available. Photo identification may also be required.

What happens after submission?

A licensed clinician reviews your completed assessment within 24 hours. The clinician may issue a treatment plan, ask questions, require video, recommend in-person evaluation, direct you to urgent or emergency care, or determine that online treatment is not appropriate.

02 / 10 answers

Eligibility

Age, location, medical history, and when another care pathway may be needed.

Can I use TeleHeadache while traveling?

You must be physically located in a state where TeleHeadache is authorized to provide care. TeleHeadache is currently available in Florida. Check availability before starting care while traveling, and always provide your actual location.

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Insurance & eligibility

TeleHeadache is a direct-pay clinical membership. Your coverage can affect enrollment; prescription benefits and medication costs are separate.

I have government health insurance. Can I still use TeleHeadache?

It depends on the type of coverage. VA healthcare, CHAMPVA, FEHB, and PSHB do not by themselves prevent you from using TeleHeadache. Florida Medicaid and TRICARE may require additional review or acknowledgments. Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare with Medicaid, and TRICARE For Life cannot use the standard cash-pay membership unless TeleHeadache confirms an approved separate pathway.

Review the answers below and contact Support before enrolling if you are unsure. Tell us about all types of coverage you have. A separate Medicare pathway is not guaranteed to be available.

Can I use TeleHeadache if I have Original Medicare?

The standard cash-pay membership is not currently available unless TeleHeadache has confirmed an approved Medicare private-contract pathway with your assigned clinician.Contact Support before enrolling. A separate pathway is not guaranteed to be available.

Medicare coverage for medications is separate. This policy concerns payment for TeleHeadache’s clinical services. Medication coverage and pharmacy benefits are separate issues.

Can I use TeleHeadache if I have Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage follows the same current enrollment restriction as Original Medicare. Although a private insurance company administers the plan, it provides Medicare benefits and is different from ordinary commercial insurance.

Do not enter the standard cash-pay membership unless TeleHeadache has confirmed an appropriate Medicare pathway with your assigned clinician. Contact Support before enrolling. A separate pathway is not guaranteed to be available.

What if I have both Medicare and Medicaid?

Contact Support before enrolling. Having both Medicare and Medicaid—including a dual-eligible or D-SNP plan—requires additional review of your coverage and all applicable eligibility and payment requirements.

Do not use the standard cash-pay membership. TeleHeadache must confirm whether an approved pathway is available for your coverage and assigned clinician before enrollment. A Medicare private contract alone may not resolve every requirement. Ask Support about your options.

Can I use TeleHeadache if I have Medicaid?

Florida Medicaid patients may be eligible after review of their plan and the applicable payment requirements. Approval is not automatic, and signing an acknowledgment alone does not establish eligibility. Contact Support before enrolling.

If an approved private-pay pathway is available, you may need to acknowledge that you are voluntarily choosing TeleHeadache, are responsible for the disclosed clinical fee, and that the fee will not be billed or submitted to Medicaid. Similar services may be available through Medicaid.

Medicaid rules vary by state. If you also have Medicare, additional Medicare and dual-coverage requirements apply.

Can I use TeleHeadache if I have TRICARE?

Potentially, after review. TeleHeadache is a direct-pay service and does not guarantee TRICARE reimbursement. Your TRICARE benefits remain separate from your membership.

Contact Support before enrolling so the applicable payment requirements can be reviewed. If you have TRICARE For Life, Medicare rules generally apply instead.

What if I have TRICARE For Life?

Contact TeleHeadache before enrolling because Medicare rules generally apply. TRICARE For Life generally works together with Medicare.

Do not use the standard cash-pay membership unless TeleHeadache has confirmed an approved Medicare pathway with your assigned clinician. Contact Support to ask whether a pathway is available.

Can Veterans who receive VA healthcare use TeleHeadache?

Yes—VA healthcare benefits alone do not make you ineligible. You may independently choose TeleHeadache as a private, self-pay service, subject to the usual eligibility requirements.

TeleHeadache does not bill the VA, accept VA Community Care referrals, or process VA authorizations. VA reimbursement is not guaranteed. If you also have Medicare, Medicaid, or other coverage, those rules still apply.

What if the VA gave me a Community Care referral?

TeleHeadache does not currently accept or process VA Community Care referrals or authorizations. Our standard membership is for independently selected private-pay care.

Contact Support before enrolling if you are trying to use a VA referral or authorization. Do not use the standard membership checkout to pay for services under that authorization.

Can I use TeleHeadache if I have CHAMPVA?

Generally, yes. CHAMPVA by itself does not prevent you from choosing TeleHeadache as a private-pay service, subject to the usual eligibility requirements.

TeleHeadache does not guarantee CHAMPVA reimbursement for membership or other TeleHeadache charges. If you also have Medicare or other coverage, those rules still apply.

Can federal employees with FEHB or PSHB use TeleHeadache?

Generally, yes. Federal Employee Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits coverage does not by itself prevent you from purchasing TeleHeadache’s direct-pay clinical service.

Your clinical fee is separate from medication insurance benefits. If you also have Medicare, the Medicare enrollment rules still apply.

What if I have commercial or employer-sponsored insurance?

Commercial insurance generally does not prevent you from using TeleHeadache. This includes employer-sponsored, ACA Marketplace, individual, PPO, and HMO plans.

TeleHeadache does not submit its standard membership fee to medical insurance. Paying privately for clinical care does not mean you must pay cash for medication: the pharmacy may use your prescription benefits when appropriate.

If you also have Medicare, Medicaid, or other coverage, those requirements still apply.

What if I do not have health insurance?

Health insurance is not required to use TeleHeadache. You must still meet the service’s other eligibility requirements.

Medication and pharmacy costs are separate. Prices vary, brand-name medications may be expensive without prescription coverage, and financial assistance may not be available. TeleHeadache cannot guarantee a particular medication price.

What if I have more than one type of coverage?

All of your coverage matters. VA, CHAMPVA, FEHB, or commercial coverage does not override Medicare or Medicaid requirements.

For example, VA benefits alone may permit independently selected private-pay care; VA plus Medicare or Medicare Advantage requires Medicare review; VA plus TRICARE For Life generally follows Medicare rules; and VA plus Medicaid requires Medicaid review.

Tell us about all your coverage and contact Support before enrolling if you are unsure which requirements apply.

Can I still use prescription insurance if I pay TeleHeadache directly?

Yes, your pharmacy may use your prescription benefits when appropriate. Paying TeleHeadache privately for clinical care does not mean you must pay cash for medication.

The clinical membership fee and medication costs are separate. The pharmacy may verify coverage, coordinate prior authorization, confirm your copay or deductible, and process a medication claim. Coverage, reimbursement, and a particular medication price are not guaranteed.

Medication benefits do not change the enrollment rules that apply to payment for TeleHeadache’s clinical services.

Coverage and your care

Coverage information is used to determine the appropriate payment and regulatory pathway. It does not determine whether your headache symptoms deserve evaluation or treatment. Medication insurance and pharmacy benefits are separate from the TeleHeadache clinical membership.

Use the public Support form for general enrollment questions only. Do not include symptoms, medical records, insurance-card images or numbers, or other sensitive health information. Ask Support how to provide any required coverage details through an approved secure process.

04 / 10 answers

Headache assessment

What we ask, why it matters, and how to share accurate information.

What does the assessment ask?

It may ask about headache onset, frequency, duration, severity, pain characteristics, associated symptoms, aura, disability, medication use, previous treatment, allergies, medical history, pregnancy status, current medications, warning signs, insurance, and pharmacy information.

Why is it detailed?

Headache diagnosis and treatment depend heavily on the history. A detailed assessment helps the clinician understand the pattern, identify red flags, review prior treatment, evaluate medication safety, and decide whether online care is appropriate.

Does the assessment use recognized headache criteria?

The assessment uses recognized headache criteria to organize your symptoms for clinician review. It helps show which criteria are supported, absent, or unclear. The clinician makes the final diagnostic and treatment decision.

Why ask about pregnancy?

Some medications are not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and some new headaches in pregnancy or the postpartum period require urgent or in-person evaluation.

How should I share existing medical records?

Follow the secure sharing instructions provided by your care team. If you need help sharing a record, contact Support for instructions without including the record or medical details in the public form. Do not send medical records through ordinary email.

Can someone help me complete the assessment?

A trusted person may help enter information, but the patient should review the answers and complete any required attestation. Caregiver access must follow the applicable authorization and privacy process.

05 / 9 answers

Diagnosis

How a clinician interprets your headache pattern and determines next steps.

Who makes the diagnosis?

The licensed clinician assigned to the case makes the final diagnostic decision. The platform organizes the patient’s answers and shows the basis for a suggested classification.

What diagnoses may be evaluated?

TeleHeadache may evaluate patterns consistent with migraine with or without aura, episodic or chronic migraine, probable migraine, tension-type headache, medication-overuse headache, and other recurring headache presentations.

What is probable migraine?

It means the headache resembles migraine but does not meet every element of a definite classification. More information may be needed.

Do I need an MRI before starting?

An MRI is not required for everyone. Your clinician reviews your symptoms and medical history to decide whether online care is appropriate or whether you need an in-person examination or imaging before treatment.

Where can I review my diagnosis and treatment plan?

When your clinician makes a diagnostic impression, review it in the secure treatment plan or clinical summary. Use secure messaging if you need clarification about the diagnosis, medication instructions, or next steps.

06 / 8 answers

Clinician review

Who makes the decisions, what gets reviewed, and what 24-hour review means.

Who reviews my assessment?

A licensed clinician independently reviews each completed assessment. TeleHeadache is neurologist-founded. The reviewing clinician depends on the active care team, licensure, and availability.

Is every patient reviewed by a neurologist?

TeleHeadache is neurologist-founded, and care is provided by licensed clinicians. Founder or neurologist review is not guaranteed. Your assigned clinician is responsible for the final diagnostic and treatment decision.

How long does review take?

A licensed clinician reviews your completed assessment within 24 hours. The 24-hour period begins after you submit your completed assessment. Pharmacy, insurance, and delivery follow separate timelines.

What does the clinician review?

The clinician may review diagnosis criteria, red flags, aura, headache frequency, medication use, previous treatments, contraindications, interactions, medical history, preferences, and the proposed treatment pathway.

What decisions can the clinician make?

The clinician may issue a treatment plan, modify an option, ask questions, require video, recommend in-person evaluation, direct you to urgent or emergency care, or determine that online treatment is not appropriate.

07 / 11 answers

Treatments

Acute and preventive options, treatment preferences, and prescribing boundaries.

What treatment types may be offered?

When clinically appropriate, TeleHeadache may provide acute treatment, preventive treatment, or both. Potential classes include triptans, gepants, CGRP-directed therapies, traditional noncontrolled preventive options, and associated-symptom treatment.

08 / 8 answers

Prescriptions

What prescribing depends on, including current medication and pharmacy questions.

Am I guaranteed a prescription?

No. Membership and assessment completion do not guarantee a diagnosis, prescription, or specific medication. Membership pays for clinical care and continuity. The clinician determines the appropriate next step.

What happens if no prescription is issued?

The clinician may request information, require video, recommend in-person evaluation, direct you to urgent or emergency care, or determine that treatment is not appropriate.

How much medication is prescribed initially?

Prescription quantity, duration, and any refills depend on the treatment plan, clinical safety, and applicable requirements. Review the instructions from your clinician and pharmacy. A fixed supply or refill approval is not guaranteed.

Can the prescription go to a local pharmacy?

Yes. You may use a regular pharmacy, including your usual pharmacy. Share your preference through the secure assessment or patient portal. Jaxx Pharmacy and Lake Pharmacy are preferred options for prior-authorization coordination and delivery; medication availability and insurance-network requirements may affect your choices.

09 / 7 answers

Preferred pharmacies

Prior-authorization support, medication delivery, and your choice of pharmacy.

Why do you recommend Jaxx Pharmacy and Lake Pharmacy?

We prefer working with Jaxx Pharmacy and Lake Pharmacy because they help coordinate prior authorizations with our clinical team and offer medication delivery. That support can be helpful when a prescribed migraine medicine requires insurance approval. Your insurer decides coverage; approval, cost, availability, and delivery timing are not guaranteed.

Is the pharmacy part of TeleHeadache?

The pharmacies are separate businesses. They handle medication fulfillment, insurance processing, cost confirmation, and delivery. Your TeleHeadache clinician makes the prescribing decision.

Will the pharmacy contact me?

The pharmacy may contact you to confirm insurance, out-of-pocket cost, your address, and delivery arrangements. Respond promptly so processing can continue.

Can I choose another pharmacy?

Yes. You may use your usual retail pharmacy or another pharmacy. Tell us your preference in the secure assessment or patient portal. Check that the pharmacy can fill your prescription and accepts your prescription benefits; prior-authorization support and delivery options vary.

Who handles a pharmacy problem?

Contact your pharmacy about insurance processing, cost, stock, or delivery. Use the secure patient portal for clinical questions or changes to your prescription.

10 / 10 answers

Insurance and prior authorization

Medication coverage, prior authorization, step therapy, and out-of-pocket costs.

Who handles prior authorization?

The participating specialty pharmacy may coordinate the prior-authorization process. You or your clinician may need to provide additional information. The insurer makes the final coverage decision.

What is step therapy?

It is an insurance requirement to try or document certain treatments before another medication is covered.

What happens after a denial?

The clinician may consider another treatment, additional documentation, an appeal when appropriate, or a cash-pay option if available.

Can TeleHeadache guarantee a low copay?

No. Medication cost depends on your insurance plan, deductible, copay or coinsurance, pharmacy pricing, assistance eligibility, and availability. Confirm your cost with the pharmacy.

11 / 7 answers

Delivery

What happens after a prescription is sent, from processing to shipping.

Will medication be delivered to my home?

Jaxx Pharmacy and Lake Pharmacy offer delivery. Contact the pharmacy to confirm service to your address, charges, and timing after the prescription is ready. Delivery options vary if you choose another pharmacy.

Is delivery free?

Ask your pharmacy about delivery charges before confirming your order. Free delivery is not guaranteed.

How long does delivery take?

Timing varies based on insurance, prior authorization, cost confirmation, inventory, pharmacy processing, and the carrier.

How will I know when medication ships?

Check the pharmacy’s messages for shipping updates or tracking information. Contact the pharmacy directly if you need a delivery update. A prescription being sent does not mean it has been approved or shipped.

What if the shipment is lost or damaged?

Contact the pharmacy and notify TeleHeadache Support if clinical or prescription assistance is needed. Replacement policies are controlled by the pharmacy, insurer, carrier, and law.

12 / 12 answers

Membership & billing

Plan prices, included care, renewal, cancellation, and additional charges.

How much does TeleHeadache cost?

Membership is $39 every month, $99 every 3 months, or $180 every 6 months. The 3-month plan is equivalent to $33 per month; the 6-month plan is equivalent to $30 per month. Each includes the same standard clinical care and comprehensive initial assessment. Optional video is $200 per visit; clinician-required video is $75 per required visit. Medication and pharmacy costs are separate. Compare membership options.

When does membership begin?

Membership begins when enrollment and payment are successfully completed after the free basic eligibility check. You then complete the full medical assessment for clinician review. The eligibility check is not a free clinical assessment or diagnosis.

What does membership include?

Every membership includes the comprehensive initial assessment, licensed clinician review, diagnosis and treatment planning when appropriate, refill continuity, headache tracking, brief check-ins, treatment adjustments when appropriate, limited secure messaging, and pharmacy or prior-authorization support when applicable. Prescribing and refills remain subject to clinical review. See what is included.

What is not included in membership?

Medication, pharmacy charges, insurance cost-sharing, testing, emergency care, outside clinicians, and video visits are separate. Membership does not include unlimited messaging, unlimited video, or controlled-substance prescribing. A diagnosis, prescription, specific medication, or insurance approval is not guaranteed.

Are the plans clinically different?

No. All three membership lengths include the same standard TeleHeadache clinical care. They differ only in length, total charge, renewal interval, and effective monthly cost.

Are membership charges refundable or prorated?

Refund eligibility and any proration are governed by the Membership Policy and applicable law. Review the terms before payment. A particular treatment outcome, prescription, insurance approval, or delivery is not guaranteed and does not by itself establish refund eligibility.

What if I want a video visit?

Optional live video is $200 per visit. Most TeleHeadache care is asynchronous, so routine video appointments are not required for standard care.

What if video is clinically required?

If your clinician determines that live evaluation is medically necessary to complete the clinical decision safely, the required video visit is $75. A required video visit does not guarantee a prescription or specific medication.

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Refills

How ongoing review, follow-up, membership, and pharmacy processing affect refills.

How early should I request a refill?

Follow the refill instructions in your treatment plan and check with your care team before you are close to running out. Clinical review, insurance requirements, and pharmacy processing may take time. Approval and a specific refill turnaround are not guaranteed.

What delays a refill?

Incomplete check-in, inactive membership, new safety concern, clinician questions, insurance review, prior authorization, payment, pharmacy processing, or medication availability.

What if I have a side effect?

Report side effects through secure clinical messaging so your care team can review them. Seek urgent or emergency care for severe symptoms. Do not wait for a portal response if symptoms could be life-threatening.

14 / 7 answers

Secure messaging

What messaging is for, its limits, and how to route your question.

What is messaging for?

Appropriate treatment-related questions, clarification, side-effect reporting, refill questions, and clinician follow-up.

Is secure messaging unlimited?

No. Membership includes limited secure messaging for appropriate treatment-related questions. It is not live chat, unlimited clinical consultation, or emergency care.

How quickly will someone respond to a message?

Nonurgent clinical replies are expected in about 1 business day (Eastern Time). You can send a secure message 24/7. The 24-hour review standard applies to completed assessments. Do not wait for a reply if you need urgent or emergency care.

Where should I send pharmacy questions?

Contact the pharmacy for processing, coverage, cost, shipping, or delivery questions. Use secure clinical messaging when a prescribing or treatment decision is needed. Support can help route your question.

15 / 9 answers

Video visits

When live video may help, what it costs, and appointment questions.

Why might video be required?

Complex history, conflicting answers, atypical neurologic symptoms, medical complexity, or the need for live interaction.

How much does a video visit cost?

An optional live video visit is $200 per visit. A clinician-required video evaluation is $75 per required visit. These charges are separate from membership. Most TeleHeadache care is designed to be asynchronous, with no routine video appointment required for standard care.

Can video replace emergency care?

No. TeleHeadache video visits are not emergency care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for urgent or potentially life-threatening symptoms.

16 / 6 answers

State availability

Why your current location matters and where TeleHeadache is available.

17 / 7 answers

Privacy & security

Where to share health information and find privacy and records guidance.

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Urgent and emergency symptoms

When to seek emergency care instead of waiting for an online response.

Get emergency care now

If you have a sudden severe headache, new weakness, difficulty speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, severe injury, or another potentially life-threatening symptom, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department now. Do not wait for TeleHeadache review.

Is TeleHeadache an emergency service?

No. TeleHeadache does not provide emergency care or immediate medical response. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for urgent or potentially life-threatening symptoms.

When should I seek emergency care?

Call 911 or seek emergency care now for a sudden severe headache, new weakness, facial droop, difficulty speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, severe injury, or another potentially life-threatening symptom. Do not wait for a TeleHeadache review or message response.

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Technical support

Help with login, verification, notifications, and assessment access.

What if I cannot log in?

Check that you are using the correct email address and follow the password-reset instructions on the login page. Check spam or junk folders for account messages. Contact Support if the problem continues.

What if the portal does not work in my browser?

Check your connection and try an up-to-date browser. If the issue continues, contact Support with the device, browser, and a description of the technical problem. Do not include medical details or screenshots containing private health information in the public form.

Can I use my phone?

The assessment is designed for mobile use. You can also use a tablet or computer. If you encounter a technical problem, contact Support.

What if my assessment does not save?

Check your connection and any save-status message. Follow the portal’s instructions, and contact Support if you cannot confirm that your progress has saved. Do not send your assessment answers through the public contact form.

How do I correct information after submission?

Use a secure portal message to tell your care team about incorrect or missing clinical information. Follow any editing instructions shown in the portal. Do not send corrected medical information through the public contact form.

What if a document will not upload?

If you are using a secure document-upload option, follow its file-type and size instructions. Contact Support for technical help. Do not send medical documents through ordinary email or the public contact form.

Here to help

Still have questions?

The right place for your question.

General and account support

For enrollment, membership, billing, login, or technical questions.

Contact Support →

Questions about your care

Use the secure portal for treatment questions, side effects, and follow-up.

Patient Login →

Medication and delivery

Ask your dispensing pharmacy about coverage, cost, stock, or delivery.

Find your pharmacy →

An emergency

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a portal message or assessment review.

Emergency care is outside TeleHeadache’s service.

Do not use the public Contact form for medical questions, symptoms, prescriptions, records, or emergencies.

Ready to begin?

Your next step can
start here.

Check eligibility for free. If eligible, choose and pay for your membership, then complete and submit the full assessment. A licensed clinician reviews your completed assessment within 24 hours.

Free eligibility check · No routine referral required

The 24-hour standard applies to review of a completed assessment, not insurance approval or medication delivery. Completing an assessment does not guarantee a diagnosis, prescription, specific medication, coverage, or delivery. TeleHeadache does not provide emergency care.