Marriage and Family Therapists

Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioners

Virginia Board of Counseling

Guidance on Technology-Assisted Counseling and Technology-Assisted Supervision, 2015

https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/guidelines/115-1.4%20Technology-Assisted.doc

The Board’s regulations for Standards of Practice (18VAC115-20-130) are prefaced by the following:

The protection of the public health, safety, and welfare and the best interest of the public shall be the primary guide in determining the appropriate professional conduct of all persons whose activities are regulated by the board. Regardless of the delivery method, whether in person, by phone or electronically, these standards shall apply to the practice of counseling.

Therefore, the standards of practice set forth in section 130 of the regulations and in the Code of Virginia apply regardless of the method of delivery.  The Board of Counseling recommends the following when a licensee uses technology-assisted counseling as the delivery method:

1. Counseling is most commonly offered in a face-to-face relationship. Counseling that from the outset is delivered in a technology-assisted manner may be problematic in that the counseling relationship, client identity and other issues may be compromised.

2. The counselor must take steps to protect client confidentiality and security.

3. The counselor should seek training or otherwise demonstrate expertise in the use of technology-assisted devices, especially in the matter of protecting confidentiality and security.

4. When working with a client who is not in Virginia, counselors are advised to check the regulations of the state board in which the client is located. It is important to be mindful that certain states prohibit counseling by an individual who is unlicensed by that state.

5. Counselors must follow the same code of ethics for technology-assisted counseling as they do in a traditional counseling setting.

Guidance for Technology-assisted Supervision

The Board of Counseling recommends the following when a licensee uses technology-assisted supervision:

1. Supervision is most commonly offered in a face-to-face relationship. Supervision that from the outset is delivered in a technology-assisted manner may be problematic in that the supervisory relationship, client identity and other issues may be compromised.

2.  The counselor must take steps to protect supervisee confidentiality and security.

3. The counselor should seek training or otherwise demonstrate expertise in the use of technology-assisted devices, especially in the matter of protecting supervisee confidentiality and security.

4. Counselors must follow the same code of ethics for technology assisted supervision as they do in a traditional counseling/supervision setting.

5. The Board of Counseling governs the practice of counseling in Virginia.  Counselors who are working with a client who is not in Virginia are advised to check the regulations of the state board in which a supervisee is located. It is important to be mindful that certain states may regulate or prohibit supervision by an individual who is unlicensed by that state. 

Medicaid Telehealth Parity Law

Source: VA Dept. of Medical Assistant Svcs., Medicaid Provider Manual, Physician/Practitioner Manual, Covered Svcs. and
Limitations, p. 14 (Feb. 2019)

All providers utilizing telemedicine and billing for services must be enrolled with DMAS. All coverage requirements described in the DMAS provider manuals apply when the service is delivered via telemedicine. The use of telemedicine must be noted in the service documentation of the patient record.

Equipment utilized for telemedicine must be of sufficient audio quality and visual clarity as to be functionally equivalent to a face-to-face encounter for professional medical services. Staff must be proficient in the operation and use of the telemedicine equipment. Telephone calls, e-mail, facsimile transmissions and similar electronic measure are not considered part of the telemedicine coverage and are not to be billed to DMAS.

Telemedicine encounters must be conducted in a confidential manner, and any information sharing must be consistent with applicable federal and state laws and regulations and DMAS policy. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) confidentiality requirements are applicable to telemedicine encounters.

A description of services that may be delivered via telemedicine is included in Chapter V. The services include: evaluation and management, psychiatric care, specialty medical procedures, speech therapy, and radiology services and procedures. The remote provider groups
recognized by DMAS for these services are also listed.

Refer to the source provided for all requirements and limitations.

Originating Site Reimbursement: We are not aware of mention of the patient/client's home or office setting being approved as an originating site.