This article is directly related to telehealth services and includes information on moving back into the office after the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on informed consent and templates for use in your private practice, please access this article here.
If you are seeing clients over the phone or via video visit you must make sure they consent to telehealth services.
It is recommended, but not required to get this in writing. Verbal consent can work in SOME states, but it must be documented that you spoke with the client, explained the risks, gathered their emergency contact information etc.
It is easier to draft an informed consent and send it to every client that you see prior to their first session.
We have attached a template that you can use for this.
Remember - ANY time you are seeing a client virtually whether that is over the phone or via video visit, you must get the clients consent to treatment.
If you are looking to draft your own informed consent or need guidance for getting verbal informed consent, these are the suggestions of what to include from the American Psychological Association (link to article):
Updates: 2021 - The APA has created a sample Informed Consent document for providers returning to the office and face to face visits. The article is linked here. The sample form is attached. This is related to COVID-19 and risk of transmission.
- There are potential benefits and risks of video-conferencing (e.g. limits to patient confidentiality) that differ from in-person sessions.
- Confidentiality still applies for telepsychology services, and nobody will record the session without the permission from the others person(s).
- We agree to use the video-conferencing platform selected for our virtual sessions, and the psychologist will explain how to use it.
- You need to use a webcam or smartphone during the session.
- It is important to be in a quiet, private space that is free of distractions (including cell phone or other devices) during the session.
- It is important to use a secure internet connection rather than public/free Wi-Fi.
- It is important to be on time. If you need to cancel or change your tele-appointment, you must notify the psychologist in advance by phone or email.
- We need a back-up plan (e.g., phone number where you can be reached) to restart the session or to reschedule it, in the event of technical problems.
- We need a safety plan that includes at least one emergency contact and the closest emergency room to your location, in the event of a crisis situation.
- If you are not an adult, we need the permission of your parent or legal guardian (and their contact information) for you to participate in telepsychology sessions.
- You should confirm with your insurance company that the video sessions will be reimbursed; if they are not reimbursed, you are responsible for full payment.
- As your psychologist, I may determine that due to certain circumstances, telepsychology is no longer appropriate and that we should resume our sessions in-person.
Here is a helpful article that explains informed consent in California (note: article is from Feb 2020. If you are unsure if this is still applicable to your practice, please make sure that you reference new material).
https://www.simplepractice.com/blog/california-telehealth-regulations/
Attached:
Telehealth Informed Consent Template