The Office of Inspector General is recommending that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) more closely review telehealth claims for adherence to requirements and offer education to providers to increase awareness of those requirements.
Learn from our interview of Elizabeth (Liz) Grady, LPC, LPCS, DCC from eSupport, PLLC https://www.esupportcounseling.com/ Liz and her colleagues noticed a need for online counseling and clinical supervision in North Carolina and have worked to fill that need. Liz shares how she prepared for, implemented, and succeeded at providing these important services.
Learn about the benefits of telebehavioral health services for the prison population by listening to our interview with Tracey Simpson, LPC, NCC, MAC.
Learn about the origins of e-prescribing and its parallels with implementing telehealth into health systems by listening to our interview with Lori Metz, LCSW, CCM.
You can learn more about Lori Metz by clicking on her website here.
In order for a social worker to retain their license in NY they must complete 36 hours of continuing education every three years by a CE provider who has been approved by the NY Social Work Board. Only 12 of these hours can consist of self-study activities. Live webinar courses are considered live hours.
The military and VA use telehealth more than any organization I know of. They also have conducted research which shows that it reduces no-show rates and hospital readmissions and provides access to many clients who normally would not have received care.
Both, working with the military and providing telebehavioral health services require specific awareness and skills. Our interview with Mercia Cummings provides you a view of what it is truly like to provide the services.
Getting started in telebehavioral health can seem like a great hurdle. During this interview, Marilyn Garcia, LCSW, shares how she quickly got started and how she is expanding her private practice.
Technological improvements nationwide have meant an increase in telehealth services since patients and providers can communicate in a variety of two-way, real-time methods that provide remote consultation, home monitoring, and counseling, to name just a few.
However, specialized treatment is often elusive in rural areas. In order for states to adequately handle the rapid expansion of telehealth services, significant development of remote connections is necessary when providing access to a variety of specialists in both telemedicine and telemental health.
Every day patients are transitioning back home from hospitals. Often, they are not able to do all that they once were able to do. This not only is distressing for the patient but also for the family. Medical social workers who provide home health services get an insider’s view of what life is like for the patient and their family. This allows them to be more effective and accessible.
Many patients have barriers to the treatment they are needing. Such as transportation to appointments, timely appointments, meetings with the whole care team, and family meetings. The use of technology has allowed patients to overcome these barriers
Iris Turtz, LMSW, has over 28 years of experience as a licensed social worker. For several years she has assisted people with disabilities, has worked as a medical social worker, and worked in home health services. In this interview, Iris shares how serving clients directly in their home environments and using technology has greatly benefited her clients.
The Thoughtful Counselor’s recent podcast features an interview with Raymond Barrett, founder of the Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC. The Thoughtful Counselor is a podcast that is dedicated to producing great conversations around current topics in counseling and psychotherapy.
During this interview, Ray shares what lead him to the counseling profession and develop the Telehealth Certification Institute. Ray also shares the key points of ethically and legally providing telebehavioral health services.
Telehealth services and their availability are expanding rapidly and the state of New York is prepared. Numerous avenues exist for those seeking services and providers are in place as well.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS published their final rule for 2018 stating the changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule(PFS) and other Medicare Part B payment policies.
Click here to see the final rule.
Here is a summary of the important updates for behavioral health providers. However, DO NOT consider this as guidance for your Medicare billing. We advise that you consult directly with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for guidance and to ensure the accuracy of your billing practices.
Telehealth is a constantly evolving mode of healthcare and there are numerous aspects of the field in need of clarification so that statutes, policies and practices follow the same guidelines. Telehealth is not a type of health care, rather it is the manner in which care is given. And as the standards for that care become more defined and the use of this mode more prevalent, so will the need for caregivers who are adequately trained and licensed to deliver telehealth.
In 2016, the State of Florida created the Telehealth Advisory Council in order to survey, research and recommend changes to telehealth in order to better serve those living in the state. The increase in both access and use of telehealth will also require an increase in health care practitioners offering telehealth services.
Telehealth services help to ensure that patients are able to receive the care they need when they need it. Same day care is available from providers using services such as virtual visits or video visits. By minimizing travel time, extending availability and increasing flexibility, caregivers can offer more opportunities for providing much-needed healthcare services.
Virtual counselors provide an array of online therapy options that include couples counseling, online marriage counseling and online Christian counseling, to name just a few. Online therapists use a variety of mediums to communicate and "meet" with clients and find the technological means that works best for all involved.
In January, 2019 the International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth published an article by Nathaniel Lacktman, Esq. and Dr. Neil Nerwich entitled, “Teleconsultation Services for the Mobile Workforce- Considerations and Guidelines for the Provision of Global Services in Compliance with Regulations and Best Practice Clinical Standards of Care.” The International Society for Telemedicine & EHealth (ISfTeH), founded in 2011, is a “nongovernmental and not-for-profit society that services primarily as the umbrella association for national Telemedicine and eHealth organizations,” advising on international standards and best practices for telemedicine.
Many ask, “Can EMDR be provided via a video session?” Bruce Woods Patterson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDRIA approved consultant and training facilitator, and EFT provider explains how he uses this powerful method of treatment in virtual therapy.
Ray Barrett of Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC recently appeared as a guest on the Mental Health News Radio Network podcast with Kristin Sunanta Walker to discuss the various aspects of telemental health services and the changes that have occurred over the years.