COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT TELEHEALTH (FAQ’s)
We know that online therapy can bring up understandable hesitations and questions.
We are happy to put your mind at ease and provide further information about what to expect.
Is it confidential?
Absolutely.
Our therapists maintain strict confidentiality standards for your protection. This means your sessions cannot be recorded. During this time of social distancing, our therapists are exclusively providing counseling via video from their office, or from areas of their home that have privacy.
Now we can’t completely promise that your provider’s cat or dog won’t briefly stop in to say hello – but don’t worry, they have been fully trained in our HIPAA protocols!
While this is often at your regular copay, coinsurance and/or deductible, there are some variations depending on your specific policy.
If you and your therapist are not sure about your benefits, please reach out to More Than Me Counseling LLC and your insurance provider.
If you run into any coverage issues, we are happy to work with you on payment options during this crisis. Even if you think you don’t have coverage for telehealth, or can’t afford payment, please give us a call — we continue to get updates from insurance plans that are expanding telehealth benefits as our culture adapts to the developing needs.
However, in these very unpredictable times, it is unclear how long this will be our new normal.
There are a variety of estimated time frames suggested for social distancing measures lasting from 6 weeks to 18 months.
Connecting with a counselor via video is an easy way to get started with care — or avoid disrupting your care — and to receive consistent support toward your goals. This can become even more important during these stressful times.
Yes. There have been numerous studies conducted showing that telehealth is just as effective as in-person counseling.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) published a physician reviewed article in 2017 that notes the following:
“There is substantial evidence of the effectiveness of telepsychiatry and research has found satisfaction to be high among patients, psychiatrists and other professionals.
Telepsychiatry is equivalent to in-person care in diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, quality of care and patient satisfaction. Patient privacy and confidentiality are equivalent to in-person care.”
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-telepsychiatry)
Other helpful information about telehealthcare:
Can’t See Your Therapist Because of COVID-19? The new world of virtual psychotherapy is brighter than you think.
BLOG: The Future Can’t See your Therpist? Becuase of Covid-19?