Telehealth is providing psychotherapy/counseling over the internet.   It might be only audio, which is more like simple telephone communication.  Or, it might combine with a video feed, like Skype, facetime or WhatsApp.   Telehealth is called by many names--videocounseling, telecounseling, telementalhealth counseling, etc., but all share the same idea, connecting with someone via an electronic device instead of person-to-person in an office.
     Telehealth sessions have to comply with confidentiality laws, known as HIPAA.   For this reason, non-confidential services such as facetime (for iphone users) or WhatsApp (for Android users) are not usually utilized. During the COVID19 outbreak, these confidentiality requirements have been waived, so these two, and literally, any other videocounseling platform are OK in the short run. In the long run, we will all have to revert to HIPAA compliant software. Currently, I'm using Sessions because its FREE to both of us and HIPAA compliant. So is Doxy.me, if needed as a backup.
   During the pandemic, telehealth is nearly universally accepted by insurance companies, so payment is less and less a problem.   Billing and insurance payments are the same as face-to-face sessions.   Before setting up a session, check with your insurance carrier to see if this service is covered.   If telehealth is not covered by your insurance carrier, then private billing is OK.   I use PayPal using the Send Money to Friend function (to avoid service charges, which is why I don't use credit cards).  Check or money orders via snail mail are OK, too.
     Prior to starting telecounseling in my office, you will need to sign some forms.   The first is the Informed Consent, which outlines my terms of service.   These are financial, confidentiality, record keeping and the intent of counseling.   It's the same form I use for face-to-face visits, and will need to be signed and sent to me BEFORE beginning counseling.    Email, texting, screenshots sent via text or email are NOT confidential, so I normally don't use them. I've relaxed the standards in the short run because facetime and WhatsApp are not HIPAA compliant either. You agree to the Informed Consent terms and to the temporary waiver of HIPAA requirements by sending me the forms in this way. You can attach the below forms and send them via a special email (see below) or by FAX. This email is for forms only, not for scheduling or billing, which I don't do via email or text because of the problem with timeliness. I don't put my regular email on this site because it has been abused. Go to the links, download and print each of the three forms, fill them out and return them. (I had a professional try to make these forms fillable on line and he failed. A second professional also failed. So, download them and fill them out on your end.)

 
  Here's the link to the first form.


  http://www.drgriggs.org/informedconsenttelehealthversion.html

     The second form is for insurance information.   Print this out and call your insurance carrier if you have questions about what I asking for. Tell them what services you are getting from me and verify they cover them. If you don't plan on using insurance, skip this form.

  http://www.drgriggs.org/insuranceinformationtelehealthversion.html

   
  I also need a Client Information form filled out.   Here's the link:

http://www.drgriggs.org/clientinformation.html

(Please also send me a copy of your insurance card, both sides, in case I can't read your writing.....)

After filling out all three forms (two if you're not using insurance), plus a copy of your card, attach them (preferrably scanned versions but photos might also work) to the following special email address:

onlyformsfordrgriggs@gmail.com

(This email is NOT for cancelling appointments, making appointments or asking about billing issues. For these issues, use my telephone voice mail at 760.746.8355.) If you prefer to fax these forms, use the following number:

760.471.1844
(confidential 7/24/360)

     Telecounseling is not currently suitable for emergency services.   There are days when I am not in the office and nowadays I don't see clients in real time in the flesh.   The same schedule holds for telecounseling.   Emergencies should be directed to either

911

or your nearest ER or the San Diego Access and Crisis line at

1-888-724-7240
(available 7/24/360)

     Telehealth is also fully covered under my malpractice insurance, in this case by American Professional Agency.   Here's that link"

American Professional Agency