While the demand for mental health services has long outpaced supply in the U.S., the coronavirus pandemic has widened that gap even further. A March 2020 poll conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation reports that nearly half of all U.S. adults reported their mental health was negatively affected due to worry and stress over the virus. At the same time, according to the National Institute of Mental Health only 43% of adults with mental illness receive treatment.
Telebehavioral health, a form of telehealth that utilizes virtual communication technologies to provide mental health and substance use services, represents an opportunity to close the gap – especially in rural and underserved communities. While we can all agree that the concept of providing telebehavioral health services makes sense, it can present challenges in practice. Questions may include:
As part of HORNE Healthcare’s consulting service to clients, we have assembled this free resource for hospitals and health systems seeking information with regards to telebehavioral health services, including telepsychology, telepsychiatry, and additional telehealth services from licensed mental health practitioners.
Below you will find information about three of the most popular low-cost telebehavioral health platforms used, along with industry resources on general telebehavioral health, training opportunities, webinars, and other resources.
*The information below is current as of August 10, 2020 and is subject to change. Please use the links provided to access the most up-to-date information.
| Doxy |
| Currently used by over 700,00 providers from 136 countries. |
| Service Features | Cost | Security & HIPAA Compliance |
|
All plans offer: - Unlimited video minutes and sessions Upgraded (paid) plans offer additional services, including higher definition video and audio-call only options. |
Various plans: - Free |
All plans feature: - Secure data center Upgraded (paid) plans feature: - Custom BAA |
| Zoom for Healthcare |
| An upgraded version of Zoom that is HIPAA/PIPEDA compliant |
| Service Features | Cost | Security & HIPAA Compliance |
|
HD video and audio even in low-bandwidth environments Recorded session review: - Can be saved locally with HIPAA BAA for clinical applications Collaboration features: - Annotations and screen sharing EHR and EMR integration: - Can launch visits directly through Epic telehealth workflows and update charts/records in real time Accessibility features: - Closed captioning Medical device integrations: - Diagnostic cameras, digital stethoscopes, etc. |
Starts at $200/month per account, which includes 10 hosts 1, 2, and 3 year pre-paid packages are available |
Meets HIPAA requirements Meets PIPEDA/PHIPA requirements Signed BAA Security certifications from SOC2, TrustArc, and EU-US Privacy Shield Private patient waiting rooms that only allow providers to see who is in the waiting rooms Zoom does not have access to identifiable PHI - All audio, video, and screen sharing is protected and encrypted Meetings are not publicly listed and require a password and verified email address to enter - Hosts can lock meetings in progress and remove attendees |
| Microsoft Teams |
| Chat, video, voice, and more in a single HIPAA and HITECH compliant hub |
| Service Features | Cost | Security & HIPAA Compliance |
|
Can be integrated with existed applications and EMR/EHR Customers are able to schedule appointments through Bookings that links to calendars in Teams Secure instant messaging Central hub for communicating and collaborating on patient issues Ability to establish information barriers between users and groups Streamlines workflows and shifts Additional security and collaboration features with premium plans Ideal for users already implementing the Microsoft 365 ecosystem |
Varies based on needs and organization size - Business plans start at $5 per user per month (max of 300 users) - Enterprise plans start at $10 per user per month (unlimited users) |
Must be configured properly to be HIPAA compliant Resources and support are offered by Microsoft BAA is offered Allows for secure instant messaging, including image capture and sharing, while remaining HIPAA compliant Meets standards of HITRUST, SOC 1 and 2, and GDPR |
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