Telehealth’s Future, Antidepressant Myths, and Autism Confusion

In this episode of After Hours Clinic, Andrew Lane and Dr. David Janarious unpack the renewed uncertainty surrounding telehealth as shifting federal rules trigger confusion for providers, insurers, and patients. They explore why telehealth expanded, why it remains essential, and how short-term policy decisions create unnecessary disruption. The conversation then shifts to the growing wave of misinformation around antidepressants, from addiction claims to speculation about violence. Dr. Dave offers a grounded clinical context and discusses what these medications can and cannot do. The episode closes with a candid discussion about rising autism diagnoses, covering diagnostic changes, parental age factors, sensory issues, and evolving societal expectations.Key Points From This Episode:(00:00:00) How COVID-era emergency rules triggered rapid expansion of telehealth.(00:03:16) Why patients prefer telehealth over traditional in-office visits.(00:05:53) Government uncertainty and the fear telehealth reimbursements may lapse.(00:07:16) Hospitals canceling Medicare telehealth visits due to waiver expiration concerns.(00:09:23) Discussion of ACA-related subsidies and how changing rules may impact premiums.(00:12:08) Why Dr. Dave believes telehealth is too essential to roll back.(00:14:14) The strain on rural hospitals and instability caused by shifting policies.(00:15:45) How low reimbursement rates shape rushed, impersonal medical care.(00:19:28) The media trend of portraying antidepressants as harmful or dangerous.(00:21:13) RFK Jr.'s comments about addiction and violence linked to SSRIs.(00:23:50) Common side effects of antidepressants and how dependence differs from addiction.(00:26:40) Why antidepressants are not a driver of violent behavior despite online claims.(00:30:13) Evaluating research on Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism risk.(00:37:45) How changes to diagnostic criteria expanded the autism spectrum.(00:50:49) Parental age as a major biological factor in autism risk.(01:02:20) Changing professional standards and expectations across workplaces.(01:03:58) Final takeaways on telehealth, antidepressants, and autism trends.Links:BetterLife: https://www.joinbetterlife.com/about-usDr. David Janarious on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-janarious-8b6073280Production and editing by The Podcast Consultant: https://thepodcastconsultant.com