Telemedicine: What to Expect

What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine is the exchange of medical information from one site to another via electronic communications.  The telemedicine service offered to you will allow you to have a counseling or psychiatric medication management appointment with a specialist via secure and interactive video equipment. You will be able to speak in real-time with the provider during your telemedicine appointment.  Telemedicine is NOT available for psychological or neuropsychological testing due to the nature of these services.

 

Is Telemedicine Safe?

Yes, all telemedicine sessions are safe, secure, encrypted, and follow the same privacy (i.e., HIPAA) guidelines as traditional, in-person appointments.  Your telemedicine appointments will always be kept confidential.  In addition, telemedicine appointments are NEVER audio or video recorded.  A transcription of the session may be attached to your medical record.

 

Can I Choose Not to Participate?

Of course, with this program you have been offered the option of seeing your provider via secure and interactive video equipment.  It is your choice to follow this referral and engage in this service. Face to face care is available to you. 

 

Things to Remember about Your Telemedicine Appointment:

1.       You will schedule your telemedicine appointments the same way you schedule an appointment with your provider now, by calling 320-632-5524.

2.       As with your traditional, in-person medical appointments it is your responsibility to call True Balance Ltd to cancel an appointment if you are unable to attend your telemedicine appointment.  Cancelations should be made at least 24 hours prior to the appointment time. You can reach True Balance Ltd at 320-632-5524.

3.       The telemedicine program has an identical no-show policy as your face to face sessions. 

4.       On the day of your appointment you will check-in at True Balance Ltd as you would for a traditional, in-person appointment.  

5.       At your appointment time an assistant will escort you into the telemedicine patient room (for psychiatric or medication management services). If you are meeting your therapist from your home, your therapist will initiate contact via the advised application. Please refer to “Accessing my services from Home” for further instructions.  

6.       If you have any questions before or after the session, you may ask the office staff

7.       The New Patient Packet must be completed prior to scheduling your first telemedicine appointment. 

8.       If you are prescribed medication(s) by your provider you will be able to pick it up directly at your pharmacy of choice as your provider will electronically prescribe your medication(s).

Telehealth Consent Form

1.      I authorize True Balance Ltd to allow me/the Client to participate in a Telehealth (videoconferencing) services.

2.      The type of service to be provided by via Telehealth is: mental health counseling and psychiatric medication management.

3.      I understand that this service is not the same as a direct Client /healthcare provider visit, because I will not be in the same room as the healthcare provider performing the service.  I understand that parts of my care and treatment which require physical tests or examinations may be conducted by providers and their staff at my location under the direction of the Telehealth healthcare provider.

4.      My provider or support staff have fully explained to me the nature and purpose of the videoconferencing technology and has also informed me of expected risks, benefits and complications (from known and unknown causes), attendant discomforts and risks that may arise during the Telehealth session, as well as possible alternatives to the proposed sessions, including visits with a provider in-person.  The attendant risks of not using Telehealth sessions have also been discussed.  I have been given an opportunity to ask questions, and all of my questions have been answered fully and satisfactorily.

5.      I understand that there are potential risks to the use of this technology, including but not limited to interruptions, unauthorized access by third parties, and technical difficulties. I am aware that either my provider or I can discontinue the Telehealth service if we believe that the videoconferencing connections are not adequate for the situation.

6.      I understand that the Telehealth session will not be audio or video recorded at any time. A transcript of the session may be attached to my medical file as needed.

7.      I agree to permit my  healthcare information to be shared with other individuals for the purpose of scheduling and billing. I agree to permit individuals other than my healthcare provider and the remote healthcare provider to be present during my Telehealth service to operate the video equipment, if necessary. I further understand that I will be informed of their presence during the Telehealth services.  I acknowledge that if safety concerns mandate additional persons to be present, then my or guardian permission may not be needed.

8.      I acknowledge that I have the right to request the following:

               a.    Asking non-medical personnel to leave the Telehealth room at any time if not mandated for safety concerns (including safety of self, space, or others), or

                b.   Termination of the service at any time.

9.      When the Telehealth service is being used during an emergency, I understand that it is the responsibility of the Telehealth provider to advise my local healthcare provider regarding necessary care and treatment. 

10.  It is the responsibility of the Telehealth provider to conclude the service upon termination of the videoconference connection.

11.  I understand(s) that my insurance will be billed by the provider.  I understand(s) that if my insurance does not cover Telehealth services I will be billed directly and will be responsible for payment in full.

12.  My consent to participate in this Telehealth service shall remain in effect for the duration of the specific service identified above, or until I revoke my consent in writing.

13.  I agree that there have been no guarantees or assurances made about the results of this service.

14.  I acknowledge the Telehealth program’s no-show policy which states that I will be discharged from the Telehealth program if I no-show for 2, consecutive Telehealth appointments, without prior contact to the scheduling staff.

15.  I confirm that I have read and fully understand both the above and the Telehealth: What to Expect Form provided.