Teletherapy platforms allow you to meet with clients remotely, so your services can continue even when life gets in the way of in-person meetings. Teletherapy is becoming an increasingly important service for any clinician, and a secure platform ensures safe and effective communication.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best HIPAA compliant teletherapy platforms.
Zoom For Healthcare
Many people have experience using Zoom, but you might not be aware that it also offers a healthcare-specialized, HIPAA compliant, telehealth service: Zoom for Healthcare.
The major benefit to using Zoom is that your client is likely to already be familiar with it. They’ll know how to navigate the platform, which can alleviate some anxiety before an appointment. Built-in collaboration tools allow for screen sharing and group calls,
Zoom lacks the features of other teletherapy platforms, such as scheduling and billing, but it does come with numerous integrations. This can allow you to use Zoom alongside your pre-existing tools, for a flexible teletherapy platform.
Doxy.me
Doxy.me is a free telehealth solution, offering a secure platform for clinicians and clients to meet. For clinicians, Doxy.me offers a customizable, branded platform, with a check-in and queue system that is easy to manage.
For clients, Doxy.me can be used on a computer, tablet, or laptop. All your client needs is a link to your room, and they’re ready to go. There’s no need to download an app or set up an account, making it incredibly quick to get started.
SimplePractice
SimplePractice is an EHR platform that includes a reliable HIPAA compliant telehealth service. Fully-integrated with the SimplePractice EHR features, you have quick, easy, and secure access to all the necessary patient records during a video appointment.
With SimplePractice, clinicians send clients a link to an appointment, and they can get started right away. The screen share feature allows you to engage in games and activities, to create an appointment that feels in-person, even at a distance. This is a complete teletherapy platform.
Thera-LINK
While many telehealth platforms are designed for generalized health service, Thera-LINK has been developed specifically for teletherapy. An affordable and effective platform, Thera-LINK includes scheduling, appointment reminder, and even client self-scheduling.
With options for group and family sessions, as well as one-on-one appointments, Thera-LINK is a versatile teletherapy platform.
The client note function allows you to store documents on a single platform, while secure file sharing and messaging offers improved communication. And with a clinician directory, you can potentially even expand your practice with Thera-LINK.
TheraPlatform
TheraPlatform has been designed to provide mental health practitioners with a safe, secure, and intuitive platform for teletherapy.
Combining video chat and screen sharing with a suite of tools to encourage interactive sessions, TheraPlatform helps you recreate in-person sessions virtually.
TheraPlatform offers interactive tools such as two-way screen sharing, a built-in whiteboard, and therapy games and apps, which can be set up prior to an appointment.
With options for group therapy, this is a flexible and comprehensive platform. Clients have access to their own portal, allowing them to schedule appointments, and access resources.
GoTo Meeting
GoTo Meeting may not have originally been designed for telehealth, but their security features make this an excellent HIPAA compliant platform. GoTo Meeting was designed for dependability.
You don’t have to worry about losing connection halfway through a call, as GoTo Meeting is backed by an industry leading 99.999% service uptime. And the built-in background noise suppression ensures you can hear every word of a session.
GoTo Meeting does lack the integrations of other, therapy-specific HIPAA platforms. However, the impressive security additions, including meeting locks and password protection, plus the proven reliability, makes GoTo Meeting a platform to consider.
VSee
VSee claims to be the most trusted HIPAA compliant telemedicine solution, and it certainly has fans in high places—including NASA astronauts. For you and your clients, VSee offers an easily accessible, intuitive platform that improves communication even outside an appointment.
From your VSee dashboard, you can schedule appointments, organize a team, and even collect payment. It does a lot: the VSee portal is streamlined and quick to navigate. Simply send your client a text message with a link, and you can start communicating.
VSee is particularly useful if you live in an area with a poor internet connection. It’s optimized to provide a smooth service at any internet speed, allowing you to help more clients, no matter where they are.
Medici
Medici.md is a telehealth app designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing EHR. A multi-patient management tool that provides fast and efficient communication across a secure platform, Medici is a good teletherapy app for those looking for scalability.
With both text and video messaging, Medici offers improved communication between client and clinician. Patients can access video meetings via any web browser, with no need to create an account.
For clinicians, Medici provides in-app billing, and customized reports. Unlike other teletherapy platforms, Medici makes it easy to analyze your teletherapy program, and optimize the service (see also ‘How To Start A Teletherapy Practice‘) (see also ‘How To Start A Teletherapy Practice‘) (see also ‘How To Start A Teletherapy Practice‘).
How Do You Choose A HIPAA Compliant Teletherapy Platform?
Any platform that claims to offer telehealth, telemedicine, or teletherapy services should be HIPAA compliant, but it’s important to check before signing up. You should be able to find HIPAA certification on the services’ website.
With that sorted, consider how you intend to use the platform. Is it just a video platform, and all you need is a secure connection?
Or would you like your teletherapy service to provide additional EHR features, such as scheduling and billing? You may want to consider integrations, to see if your chosen platform is compatible with services already in place.
Features such as group meetings, screen sharing, and in-session activities are useful, but not standard. Consider the client experience as well. Do they need to sign up for an account, or download software? Or can they access an appointment from a link?
Final Thoughts
Telehealth is becoming increasingly prominent, and the above platforms can help grow your practice, and expand your client list. HIPAA compliance is essential when choosing a teletherapy platform, and the services we’ve covered above provide a diverse range of solutions.