Topic: COVID-19

Telehealth and COVID-19: Staying Compliant When Your Therapy Office Is Your Home

Watch this 2-hour webinar to understand how to provide continued care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. By utilizing the right devices, policies, and practices for teletherapy services, you can limit risk and maintain ethical practice when providing remote services.

Mental Health, Boundaries + Self-Care During the COVID19 Crisis

A podcast interview with Ilyse Kennedy, LPC, LMFT-A, PMH-C, to discuss how to talk with ourselves and kids about COVID19, how to take care of our mental health, prioritizing foundational self-care and setting proper boundaries during this unprecedented time.

Teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) in Response to COVID-19 Webinar

This webinar from the International Neuropsychological Society covers ethical and legal challenges, models of TeleNP, evidence for use of Specific Measures over TeleNP and patient satisfaction, and more.

The Use of Telehealth in Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in Response to COVID-19 (Webinar)

An introduction to policies and practice for behavioral health and recovery service providers who are implementing telehealth during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Peer Workforce Alliance’s Community Connections Series

The Washington State University College of Nursing, Peer Workforce Alliance set up community forums each day so people with mental health and/or substance use challenges who are missing their regular meetings and groups can check in with like-minded, recovery-oriented individuals.

Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center Webinar Series

The NRTRC provides technical assistance for new programs and applications, increases exposure to Telehealth as a healthcare delivery tool, improves access to specialty care through regional collaboration, develops information on best practices and Telehealth toolkits, and provides information and facilitates discussion of regional regulatory, policy, and reimbursement issues.

Let’s Make The “Call” Together—Ensuring Your Phone Is Keeping Clients’ PHI Protected

Learn HOW to choose phone and voicemail providers that keep you HIPAA compliant—the selection process is key.

Recordkeeping for Mental Health Providers Practicing In-Person and Telehealth

This interactive presentation with Frances Schopick, JD MSW invites attendees to regard recordkeeping as an opportunity to not only to serve clients’ needs but also to protect themselves in the event of an audit or legal action.  Use code MHM2020MAY for 10% off!

Psychology In Seattle Podcast — Telehealth Law and Ethics During Coronavirus COVID-19

Dr. Kirk interviews ethics and legal experts, Frances Schopick and Tiffany Chhuom, about the recent changes regarding telehealth for mental health services.

Telehealth and COVID-19: Staying Compliant When Your Therapy Office Is Your Home

If you are a mental health clinician trying to navigate these changes alone during COVID-19, you may be feeling overwhelmed. In this webinar, I will cover solutions to help you confidently transition from your office to new work spaces.

Wi-Fi Hotspots Available for Providers in WA State

Approximately 300, new, drive-in Wi-Fi hotspots are coming online statewide through the Washington Statewide Broadband Act.

Request a Zoom License to Connect With Patients During The COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Care Authority (HCA) has purchased a limited number of licenses for Zoom, a video conferencing technology that helps health care providers continue seeing patients without a physical encounter.

Request a Laptop for Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) has a limited number of laptops available for providers who do not have the financial resources to offer telehealth services to Apple Health clients.

Apple Health (Medicaid) Clinical Policy and Billing for COVID-19

In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Care Authority is aware that usual and customary ways of providing and billing/reporting services may not be feasible. This FAQ reinforces the agency’s current policies regarding telemedicine as defined in WAC 182-531-1730 and covers the new telehealth policies that will only be in effect during this health care crisis.

Integrated Managed Care Behavioral Health Provider Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This resource covers the underlying principles of support for Behavioral Health Providers during COVID-19, as well as the actions HCA and MCOs will take to support BH providers during the pandemic.

DBHR COVID19 Provider Call

A bi-monthly COVID-19 call for prevention, treatment and recovery providers from the DBHR. 

Zoom meetings for peers-adult, youth, and family members

The Health Care Authority’s (HCA) Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) will co-host weekly Zoom meetings designed for peers, adult, youth, and family members.

Better Health Together — Health Care Authority & Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery COVID-19 Updates

Stay up-to-date on Upcoming Webinars, HCA Resources, General Updates, and Updates for Oral Health Providers.

Proclamation by The Governor Amending Proclamation 20-05 (20-29 Telemedicine)

Governor Inslee’s latest proclamation for Washington State, including guidelines for Telemedicine and Telehealth Professionals.

COVID-19 Email Phishing Against U.S. Healthcare Providers

The FBI issued a notice regarding email phishing attempts targeting healthcare providers. These phishing attempts leverage COVID-19 related subject lines and content in an attempt to distribute malicious attachments.

Selecting and Safely Using Collaboration Services for Telework

The National Security Agency (NSA) published a notice that includes criteria to consider when selecting an online collaboration tool as well as information on how to use online collaboration tools securely during COVID-19.

Telehealth Law and Ethics During Coronavirus COVID-19 (Podcast Episode)

Tiffany Chhuom, of EthTech, and Frances Schopick JD, MSW sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Kirk for the Psychology in Seattle podcast to discuss all the latest updates from the federal government related to ethics, law and COVID-19 clinical practice.

Cyber Attack Quick Response Checklist

Following the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) developed a checklist and corresponding Infographic that identifies the steps for a HIPAA covered entity or business associate to take in response to a cyber-related security incident.

WHITE PAPER| COVID-19 VTC Exploitation

The increased use of video conferencing and online collaboration tools has led to an increase in malicious activity seeking to exploit the unsecure use of these tools. The HHS Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) released a white paper outlining ways these tools could be exploited and recommendations to mitigate these issues.

COVID-19 Cyber Threats Presentation From The HHS CyberSecurity Program

The HC3 also produced a brief on COVID-19 related cyber threats.  This brief includes details on the increase in COVID-19 related malicious activity as well as information on how COVID-19 themed phishing attacks and websites are used as lures to trick users into downloading malicious software or directing users to malicious websites.

Deadline Extended — CARES Provider Relief Funds Available!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the deadline to apply for provider relief funds through August 3.

To be eligible, you must be a provider that participates in the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP).

CMS Approves Approximately $34 Billion for Providers with the Accelerated / Advance Payment Program for Medicare Providers

Learn about the accelerated/advance payment process, how to submit a request, and more.

DoD, VA Launch Joint Health Information Exchange

The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs are also planning to extend their joint health information exchange network to CommonWell, which would connect the network to 15,000-plus providers.

COVID-19 Outbreak: Telemedicine Expanded for ABA Services

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is expanding telemedicine options allowed under TRICARE’s Autism Care Demonstration. In addition to outcome measures, applied behavior analysis (ABA) supervisors and assistant behavior analysts may now provide parent/caregiver guidance via telehealth.

CMS Issues Guidance and Suspends Rules to Battle COVID-19

This guidances is aimed at reducing supervision and certification requirements, which will help practitioners to be hired quickly and perform work as allowed by their license.

Zoom’s Security and Privacy Woes Violated GDPR, Expert Says

Two privacy concerns for Zoom: lack of transparency and distribution of information to a third party without user consent.

How Has Coronavirus Affected Healthcare Consumerism, Tech Use?

More patients are using virtual visits and chatbots to access healthcare during the coronavirus outbreak, suggesting a tip toward more healthcare consumerism. Read this article from xTelligent Healthcare Media to learn what this means for us as we navigate COVID-19.

Facebook Launches Desktop Version for Messenger as Video Calls Surge

As a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Facebook rolled out the desktop version of its Messenger app a year earlier than planned for Apple’s Mac and Microsoft’s Windows to make video chats available on computer screens for Facebook users.

TRICARE Cuts Telehealth Co-pays, OKs Phone Calls During COVID-19 Crisis

Prompted by a letter from two senators, the Defense Department’s health plan is relaxing its rules regarding telehealth coverage to improve access to care for military members and their families.

Adding Social Workers to PCMH Care Team Cuts ED Visits

The number of ED visits went down by nearly 8,000 after the VHA added social workers to the PCMH care team.

Senate Approves Aid for Small-Business Loan Program, Hospitals and Testing

The Senate passed a $484 billion relief package, after Democrats and Trump administration officials finalized an agreement.

Zoom Lets Attackers Steal Windows Credentials, Run Programs via UNC Links

The Zoom Windows client is vulnerable to UNC path injection in the client’s chat feature that could allow attackers to steal the Windows credentials of users who click on the link.

Summer Arts Connect

Summer Arts Connect! is a series of free online creative arts programs with a focus on social and emotional health for veteran and active-duty military households in the JBLM vicinity—but accessible anywhere as online sessions.

Telehealth Amid COVID-19: What Health Care Providers Should Know

This article is a short primer to help you understand telehealth in this moment, navigate regulations and technology practice standards, and choose technologies to support quality patient care.

America’s child welfare system was already failing. The pandemic could weaken it further.

Parents can’t see their children and social workers can’t make visits, leaving kids feeling more isolated and possibly putting them in danger.

The Emily Program is now offering telehealth for intensive outpatient and PHP programs

A leader in personalized eating disorder treatment for people of all ages and genders since 1993, The Emily Program is your best choice for a patient referral if you suspect an eating disorder.