Amber’s Telemental Health
(Online Counseling)
Amber’s Telemental Health (Online Counseling)allows therapy to be delivered to you in the comfort of your home. You probably have used FaceTime, Duo, or Facebook Messenger to communicate with family or friends. Online counseling platform is very similar to those, but delivered through a HIPPA compliant platform in order to protect confidentiality and privacy of the sessions. Online counseling is conducted through an interactive video conferencing using a reliable internet-capable device with a camera such as a computer, phone or tablet. Research has shown that online counseling is comparable to in-person therapy in its effectiveness.
Questions About Telemental Health
What are some ADVANTAGES of Telemental Health/Online counseling?
- Eliminated geographical location restrictions
- Eliminated transportation concerns
- Eliminated travel time
- Ability to participate during inclement weather conditions
- Ability to participate if you are homebound due to physical needs/disabilities
What are same DISADVANTAGES of Telemental Health/Online Counseling?
- Technological failures such as unclear video, loss of sound, poor internet connection or loss of internet connection.
- Do not have privacy at home
- Generational differences
- Requires smart devices
Eligibility
Amber’s Hope acknowledges the differences which lay within each individual’s unique circumstance, so it is essential to provide the most appropriate therapy for your healing process. Telemental Health Services may not be the most beneficial form of treatment for you, so face-to-face sessions are offered. Please contact us to determine if you are eligible for Telemental Health Services.
Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy?
Each individual policy is different and the field of online counseling is still evolving, so this is a challenging question to answer. Insurance does not cover phone sessions, but it might cover video therapy appointments, depending on your policy. To check with your insurer, ask if video therapy is covered. The procedural code modifiers are either “GT” or “95,” depending on the plan. The location code is “02,” which signifies teletherapy. If your insurer states that they will cover/reimburse you for online therapy, it is beneficial to get this authorization in writing. Still, coverage/reimbursement is not guaranteed until a claim is submitted and an explanation of benefits (EOB) is received.