Legal Considerations for Teletherapy Providers

 

Nationally:   

Things to consider when providing virtual therapy options  (Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards Teletherapy & Telesupervision Guidelines II, 2021).

All therapy providers must adhere to their jurisdiction’s training requirements for teletherapy prior to providing services.

Therapists wanting to provide virtual therapy options must determine that teletherapy is appropriate for the clients, considering clinical, relational, cultural, cognitive, intellectual, emotional and physical needs.

The therapist must consider and implement a back up plan with the client in the event that technology breaks down or there is a disruption in service.  This plan must be clearly communicated and must be included in the general emergency management protocol.

Reimbursements for telephone and video mental health options have been approved by Medicare if the individual is at their own home when an in person service has been previously provided in which there was a successful Medicare payment made.

 

Oklahoma:

All providers in Oklahoma wanting to offer teletherapy but be licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologist if the provider abides by all in-person standards of care (Teletherapy Regulations and Requirements in Oklahoma, n.d.).


Resources:

Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards Teletherapy & Telesupervision Guidelines II. (2021). https://amftrb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AMFTRB-Teletherapy-Guildelines-9-21.pdf

Teletherapy Regulations and Requirements in Oklahoma. (n.d.). Www.hellotriad.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023, from https://www.hellotriad.com/teletherapy-guides/oklahoma

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