This FAQ has been developed to answer some of the most common questions received from our Members. The best resource as you resolve challenges brought on by this outbreak is the collective experience of our Membership.
Telemedicine/Telehealth
What are the HIPAA requirements for utilizing Telehealth?
Generally, all telehealth services must be encrypted and operated under a BAA with the service provider. However, Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced that “[The Office of Civil Rights] will exercise its enforcement discretion and will not impose penalties for noncompliance with the regulatory requirements under the HIPAA Rules against covered health care providers in connection with the good faith provision of telehealth during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency."
What telehealth services are available?
There are a number of services available that claim to be HIPAA compliant, and that will enter into a HIPAA BAA. Some of these include:
- Skype for Business
- Updox
- VSee
- Zoom for Healthcare
- Doxy.me
- Google G Suite Hangouts Meet (See BAA)
How do I bill for Telehealth services?
This may vary from state to state, and it is best to contact individual insurers directly, or to consult with your billing department or third-party billing provider. A list of NAATP Supporter Members that provide consulting and billing services can be found here. You can also consult the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC).
Intake, Admissions, and Reporting Requirements
How are Providers screening potential patients for COVID-19?
The following guidelines were written in collaboration with NAATP and the National Council for Behavioral Health. Please refer to the CDC Symptoms and Testing resource page for more information.
Are Treatment Providers required to report patients that test positive for COVID-19?
According to the CDC, “Healthcare providers who are concerned that a patient may have COVID-19 should contact their local or state health department immediately for consultation and guidance.” Local and State health departments are responsible for reporting and tracking Persons Under Investigation (PUI).
If a client tests positive, should they be kept and isolated, or discharged?
Providers should follow internal policies and procedures regarding patients with infectious diseases. Sample policies can be found in NAATP COVID-19 Resources. If a patient is presumptive or confirmed positive for COVID-19, please contact your local or state health department for guidance.
Join the Conversation!
As a professional membership community, NAATP’s greatest resource is its members themselves. We encourage you to support one another and exchange strategies and messages through the NAATP Member to Member communication portal. You will need to be signed in to your provider member account to access the Forum. We encourage members to connect, collaborate, and ask each other questions about how their treatment centers are handling specific situations. Remember to reference the Addiction Industry Directory (AID) for CEO, Marketing, and Admissions direct contact information.
