Promoting the highest standards of clinical social work practice through education, advocacy, and community. |
Judy Gallant, LCSW-C, Director, GWSCSW Legislation & Advocacy Branch
Please note: This information is not to be construed as legal advice. It is being posted with links to additional information, and further research may be required. [ It is current as of 4/14/20.] * UPDATED ON 4/30/20.* Changes to the law as a result of the Covid-19 crisis can happen at any time, as Executive Orders issued by the Federal or State governments have been frequent since the national State of Emergency has been declared. If you are aware of any new/different information, please contact judy.gallant@verizon.net. We will do our best to keep this information updated, but cannot guarantee it is up-to-date at any given time.
We work closely with The Clinical Social Work Association, with frequent exchanges of practice-relevant information during this National Crisis. CSWA is also maintaining a helpful Toolkit (available to all) on their website.
CURRENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS
For more detailed Medicare information, see pages 4-5 of this document.
For MD, go to https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Executive-Order-Health-Care-Matters.pdf
The Board of Social Work Examiners (website: https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/Pages/default.aspx) is asking clinicians to submit an application in order to provide ongoing therapy through teletherapy, to already established client(s). It is free to apply, and it is reportedly not too onerous. Contact person to obtain an application: gloria.hammel@maryland.gov
· For VA: See https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/social/covid19Info.htm
Board of Social Work
COVID-19 Information
Accelerated Temporary License
April 20, 2020
Pursuant to Governor Northam’s Executive Order No. 57 (effective April 17, 2020), a clinical social worker with an active license issued by another state may be issued an accelerated temporary license by endorsement as a health care practitioner of the same type for which such license is issued in another state upon submission of an application and information requested by the applicable licensing board and the board's verification that the applicant's license issued by another state is active in good standing and there are no current reports in the United States Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank. Such temporary license shall expire ninety (90) days after the state of emergency ends. During such time the practitioner must seek a full Virginia license or transition patients to Virginia-licensed practitioners.
Health care practitioners with an active license issued by another state may provide continuity of care to their current patients who are Virginia residents through telehealth services. However, if they want to acquire new patients, they must apply for full licensure in Virginia or an Accelerated Temporary License as indicated above.
You can access the applications here: Temporary Licensed Clinical Social Worker Application
· For any state where your client is located during sessions, make sure that you check with the Board that governs social work practice in that state to see if you need to apply for a waiver, pay a fee, etc.
PAYMENT, BILLING, CODING, CPT MODIFICATIONS
HIPAA PLATFORMS FOR TELEMENTAL HEALTH THERAPY
CONSENT FORMS FOR TELEMENTAL HEALTH THERAPY
ONLINE PAYMENT FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY
INFORMATION ON MEDICARE
SOME CLINICAL ISSUES TO CONSIDER
Numerous clinical issues have emerged regarding the way we practice psychotherapy via telehealth. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it can be useful in thinking through ways to understand the impact these issues may have on our patients and ourselves and help us think about what we can anticipate and discuss with clients. We can reach out to our fellow therapists as part of our own support and taking care of ourselves. For our clients, it may all be worthy of exploration and is “grist for the mill.”
Seeing each other’s home environment
Boundaries
Feelings and concrete issues patients might have about receiving telemental health therapy
Feelings some therapists might have about providing videoconferencing
Distractions
Contribution of the electronic platform to our therapeutic work
Technological problems
Diagnostic criteria
Uncertainty
Support
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
More helpful information from CSWA
Mental health resource