The providers at Seaside Behavioral Health offer telepsychiatry services. Through the HIPAA-compliant interactive video conferencing tool Doxy.me, our providers and patients are able to interact virtually using a smart phone or computer. Individuals who are interested in utilizing telepsych services must have access to adequate internet/technology services. Patients should inquire with SBH staff to determine whether this service is covered – insurances vary as to restrictions and coverage.  Also utilization of telepsychiatry is at the discretion of the provider.

 

Tele-Psych Consent Form

Telepsychiatry at Seaside Behavioral Health

Instructions/Links

*You MUST have a webcam and speakers on the platform of your choosing (ie. desktop, laptop, smartphone, etc.)
**If using a desktop or laptop computer, you MUST be using Google Chrome OR Microsoft Edge internet browser.

  1. If using a desktop or laptop computer, click the link provided for your provider’s telepsych room:

For JENNIFER BROWN, NP –

Jennifer Brown’s Waiting Room

For JENNIFER COOKE, PA –

Jennifer Cooke’s Waiting Room

 

For TINA MATTHEWS-HAYES, NP –

Tina Matthew-Hayes’ Waiting Room

For AMY KARKANE, LMFT, LPC –

Amy Karkane’s Waiting Room

 

For LAURIE GRANT, LCSW –

Laurie Grant’s Waiting Room

 

For RENEE D STRELITZ, LCSW –

Renee Strelitz’s Waiting Room

  1. Once loaded, you’ll be in your provider’s ‘Virtual Waiting Room’. A box will appear on your screen.

“Check-in” by typing your first and last name in the space provided. Be sure to check-in at least 5 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Telepsych visits are treated just like face-to-face visits – if you have not logged in properly within the first 6 minutes of your appointment it will be considered a NO SHOW.

  1. Allow 5-10 minutes for your provider to begin the video session as there are occasions in which your provider has been held up with another patient. There are NO additional steps after you check-in.

Using a smartphone instead? You can also click the above links to enter the waiting room. From there, follow the steps above.

4. DO NOT download the Doxy.me app – it no longer works.

For any additional questions or assistance in the Telepsychiatry procedures, call us call us at 757-648-8605.

Credit Card Processing:

For your convenience Seaside Behavioral Health will keep a credit card on file to cover all copays, deductibles, and no show fees – this includes Telepsych appointments and insurance balances. You may choose to use another form of payment at time of service/billing; however we ask to keep a card on file as a back-up. The information obtained from this form will be securely stored in your electronic record (paper copy will be shredded upon receipt) and may be updated upon your request at any time. You are responsible for letting us know if the card on file is outdated/expired.

Download Authorization Form »

 

Seaside Behavioral Health Telepych Policy

Telepsychiatric services may be provided to clients of Seaside Behavioral Health when in-person services are not safe due to risk of communicable illness or when telepsychiatric services are appropriate for the client’s needs and s/he meets necessary criteria.

DEFINITION: 

Telepsychiatry is the use of a two-way interactive videoconferencing between the Psychiatric Provider/Therapist and a client in order to provide care when distance separates participants who are in two different geographical locations.

PROCEDURES:

  1. Technical Services/ Equipment/ Environmental Requirements shall include:
    • Cameras of sufficient quality to support general web-based video connections.
    • Electronic signals transmitted in a secure fashion, adhering to HIPAA compliance
    • Evaluation and/or treatment performed in an environment where there is a reasonable expectation of absence of intrusion by individuals not involved in the client’s direct care.
  2. Consent
    • Explicit informed consent for telepsychiatry must be obtained and documented
    • No video or audio recording by either party unless expressly agreed upon by client and provider.
    • All consents for treatment and other procedures applicable to face-to-face encounters must be obtained for telepsychiatric encounters.
  3. Selection Criteria
    • Familiarity: The provider conducting telepsychiatric services must have sufficient clinical familiarity with the client to provide the service – for this reason, unless there is an extenuating circumstance for which the SBH provider and staff make an exception, initial evaluations with clients must occur in-office/ face-to-face.
    • Clinical Appropriateness: Seaside Behavioral Health Providers utilize their clinical judgement to determine whether a client is eligible to receive services through telepsychiatry. The following factors are considered:
      • The client’s ability to competently manage the technologic aspects of electronic linkages (timely login, adequate operation of audio/camera, absence of distractions within client setting)
      • The client does not have any hearing impairment that prevents him/her from sufficiently communicating through audiovisual service.
      • The client exhibits psychological, physiological, and medical stability to be sufficiently evaluated remotely – alert, conscious, responsive, and does not require a full physical assessment
      • The client demonstrates sufficient self-control to remain safely in a room to receive telepsychiatric services.

The following situations would render a client inappropriate for telepsychiatry:

      • The client demonstrates inability to operate technology in competent/effective manner and/or presents him/herself distracted by setting; client is receiving treatment that periodic clinician monitoring of weight, blood pressure and/or other vitals, drug screening or a full body visual assessment.

4. Assessment/Treatment/Documentation

    • The provider will complete the same process of record review, assessment, diagnosing and prescribing of medication and delivery of therapy via telepsychiatry as face-to-face.
    • Relevant psychiatric, developmental, social, medical and substance abuse histories must be obtained during the encounters.
      Mental Status Exam: A relevant mental status exam must be obtained during the encounter.
    • The provider must ensure the availability of electronic or physical transmission of prescriptions to a dispensing pharmacy.
    • The provider must ensure that the proper conditions exist for the engagement of the client and other caregivers involved in a session in order to perform any psychotherapy during the encounter.
    • All documentation applicable to face-to face encounters must be maintained during telepsych encounters.