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 were waived. Now that COVID is not so much in the news, we have to again use HIPAA compliant software. Currently, I'm using Sessions because its FREE to both of us and HIPAA compliant. So is Doxy.me, if need as a backup.
Telehealth is nearly universally accepted by insurance companies. Billing and insurance payments are the same as face-to-face sessions. If telehealth is not covered by your insurance carrier (haven't heard of this in the last six years), then private billing is OK. Check or money orders via snail mail are OK. I no longer use any electronic cash transfer apps because I got hacked.
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. You agree to the Informed Consent terms 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 (the HIPAA compliant way). The emai below 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 (if needed), attach them (preferrably scanned versions but photos 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. 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
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