​Telemedicine Policy & Consent
New clients: Please complete the Appointment Request form and our scheduling coordinators will follow up with you to set up an appointment. They will provide you with all paperwork, including the Telemedicine Policy & Consent prior to your appointment. 

Current clients: In order to participate in teletherapy, the Rum River Counseling Telemedicine Policies & Consent must be completed and signed.

The Telemedicine Policies & Consent is a supplement to the Counseling Policies and does not change any of the terms of that agreement, including our policy for missed appointments.

We know not everyone may be comfortable with the idea of teletherapy, but it is important to maintain consistent treatment throughout this time. Therapists' schedules will be adjusting in order to meet the growing needs and if you choose not to utilize teletherapy and postpone your treatment, your therapist may not be able to fit you in once we return to a normal schedule.

Please understand that late cancellations or no shows greatly affect our therapists’ schedules as well, so we ask that you still give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel.

WHAT IS TELETHERAPY?

​Teleheath, teletherapy, telemedicine, and telepractice are all ways of saying that healthcare services are provided using a HIPAA-Compliant telemedicine platform to meet with clients virtually.

We provide therapy services online through your web browser (Google Chrome works best) or the Google Meet app for your tablet or phone.  This allows you to stay in the comfort (and safety) of your own home or office. 

Teletherapy also gives access to healthcare to people who may not find the services they need locally, such as those from small towns or rural communities. 

​WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO I NEED?

​In order to access teletherapy, you will need the following things:
  • Internet-connected computer, tablet, or smartphone
  • Webcam or built-in camera on the device
  • A comfortable place where you can talk in private without interruptions

​WHAT PROGRAM DO YOU USE TO SEE CLIENTS?

​Private HIPAA-complaint teletherapy sessions are provided in Google Hangouts Meet through G Suite. Google has developed G Suite to include privacy and security protections to keep data secure, and those protections are of a sufficiently high standard to meet the requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule. Rum River Counseling is a HIPAA covered entity and has a signed business associate agreement (BAA) with Google.

Google Meet allows for interconnectivity between iOS and Android devices, making it accessible on every device. Users can set up a video meeting by simply adding a meeting to their Google Calendar and sharing the meeting link with others. Participants don’t need to have Google accounts to join; all they need is the Google Chrome browser, or if you prefer to do it on your phone or tablet, you can download the Hangouts Meet mobile app for free.

​HOW WILL WE CONNECT ONLINE?

Once your appointment is set up, we will send you all the information you need to get set up. It’s easy. There will be some paperwork to fill out online and submit, so we know some basic information about you before we meet. We’ll also send you a link to our virtual waiting room. It’s best to test it a few minutes before your appointment. You just click on the link, and you’ll be in the waiting room.

DOES INSURANCE COVER TELETHERAPY?

​Most insurance will cover teletherapy. Compared to other states, Minnesota telehealth parity laws place Minnesota in the forefront of the telemedicine industry. Private insurances, Medicaid (MA), and Medicare are required by law to cover these services. Our in-network insurances include MA, Medica, UCare, Cigna, Aetna, PreferredOne, HealthPartners, United Behavioral Health (UBH), UnitedHealthcare (UHC), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS MN). For out-of-state BCBS, please check with your carrier.

​HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S RIGHT FOR ME?*

​For most people, it’s simply a preference of whether you want the ability to meet with your therapist in person, or whether you prefer the convenience of online therapy.

​There are some situations when we think our online counseling services aren’t the best option. We’ll talk through this with you. Then, if you are located near our physical offices, we are happy to meet with you in person. If you are located farther away, we will help you find a therapist and services locally to meet your needs.
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Do you have more questions about online therapy, or interested in scheduling an appointment?  Please fill out the Appointment Request contact form & and our Scheduling Coordinators, Lindsey or Julie will assist you!
*Due to the current circumstances regarding the COVID-19 virus, all therapy services at Rum River Counseling will be provided as teletherapy beginning Tuesday, March 24th.