clinical social work association

The National Voice of Clinical Social Work 

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Summary of Telemental Health Basics Webinar

December 26, 2024 12:41 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


March 27, 2020

The complete change to our personal and professional lives in the past two weeks as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been overwhelming. It has led to feelings of helplessness about how to do our jobs as clinical social workers that many of us have not had to face for decades.

CSWA has tried to outline the changes that most private practitioners are facing and ways to adjust our practices. Once we get past the shock of feeling disoriented, the shift to telemental health that we need to make for at least the next 2-3 months are manageable. Below is a brief summary of the areas that should be considered. The complete hour-long webinar can be found under the Members-only area of the CSWA website.

Practice Considerations:

  • Find a private neutral space to use as a home office
  • Encourage patients to find a private home space to ‘meet’ with you as well
  • Change Informed Consent form to reflect policies about telemental health 
  • Change Communications Policy to reflect limits on access is needed
  • Change payment method to use online payment system, IvyPay or direct credit card billing recommended
  • Check reciprocity with other states - https://www.aswb.org/regulatory-provisions
  • Check CMS Fact Sheet on Videoconferencing: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet
  • Check CMS expanded simplified Medicare provider enrollment: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/provider-enrollment-relief-faqs-covid-19.pdf
  • Expanded use of telemental health platforms without BAA; no HIPAA enforcement
  • Check each private insurer by patient as to coverage of telemental health, telephonic health, in-network only, out-of-network allowed
  • Check with each private insurer as to which modifier needed on CMS-1500; make sure “02” is right place of service
  • Advocate for coverage of telephonic psychotherapy sessions, needed for older patients
  • Continuing education will change since in-person events not available
  • Practicum requirements will change as students cannot meet directly with clients
  • Access to ASWB tests will change, not clear how will be accessed

CSWA is offering more guidance on the changes created by this pandemic. There will be two Open Webinars to discuss the questions LCSWs have and provide mutual support on March 28 and 29 (see Upcoming Events at CSWA website). There will be a two-hour conference on more detailed discussion of how to provide telemental health. We want to be your partner in this time of flux and transition.

PO Box 105
Granville, Ohio  43023

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