BC-TMH flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Client location rule

The clinician generally must be licensed where the client is physically located during the session, so location is verified at intake and at each session start.

Synchronous telehealth

Real-time audio and video or audio-only interaction between clinician and client, permitting immediate risk assessment and intervention during the session.

Asynchronous telehealth

Store-and-forward or messaging-based communication that occurs without real-time interaction, unsuitable for emergencies and usually subject to different consent and reimbursement rules.

PSYPACT

An interstate compact allowing licensed psychologists in participating states to practice telepsychology across member states after obtaining the compact's authority to practice.

Emergency plan at intake

A documented set of steps including the client's exact address, local emergency number, nearest emergency department, emergency contact, and backup communication channel.

Business associate agreement

A contract required before a vendor handles protected health information, obligating the vendor to safeguard data and report breaches to the covered entity.

Minimum necessary standard

The HIPAA principle that disclosures and uses of protected health information be limited to the least amount needed for the intended purpose.

Multi-factor authentication

A Security Rule safeguard requiring two or more independent credentials, such as a password plus a device code, to reduce unauthorized access risk.

Contingency plan

Documented backup procedures for technology failure, including an alternate communication method, data backup, disaster recovery, and emergency mode of operation.

Session documentation elements

Recorded items including modality, platform, client and clinician locations, participants, clinical content, risk assessment, plan, and any technical interruption.

Recording sessions consent

Separate, specific permission obtained before recording, because recordings are protected health information subject to storage, access, and retention rules.

Encryption benchmarks

Commonly applied standards of TLS for data in transit and AES-256 for data at rest, supporting HIPAA confidentiality and integrity safeguards.

Informed consent elements

Capacity to decide, adequate disclosure of risks, benefits, and alternatives, and voluntariness; telehealth adds technology-specific disclosures to these core elements.

Confidentiality exceptions

Circumstances permitting disclosure without authorization, such as imminent danger, suspected abuse or neglect, court orders, and state duty-to-protect statutes.

Mandated reporting jurisdiction

Reporting duties follow the law of the state where the client is located, so clinicians must know that state's thresholds and reporting mechanism.

Scope of competence

The requirement to obtain training and supervision before practicing telementally, covering technology literacy, remote risk assessment, and adaptation of interventions.

Record retention

Retention periods set by state law and payer contract, often extended for minors until a set number of years past the age of majority.

Malpractice coverage

Professional liability insurance that should explicitly include telehealth services in every state where the clinician provides care.

Multiple relationship risk

The elevated chance of incidental contact through social media and online communities, typically managed with a written contact and social media policy.

Risk screening prerequisites

Before or at session start, verify the client's physical address and a call-back number so emergency services can be dispatched if needed.

Suicide risk assessment elements

Ideation, intent, plan, means access, prior attempts, protective factors, and collateral information, with greater reliance on verbal cues at a distance.

Means safety counseling

Asking about firearms and medications in the home and negotiating specific storage changes with the client and, when appropriate, family members.

Safety plan components

Warning signs, coping strategies, social and professional contacts, emergency numbers, and steps to restrict access to lethal means, given to the client in writing.

Remote escalation protocol

Keep the client on the line, obtain the exact address, contact emergency services in the client's jurisdiction, notify the emergency contact, and document times.

Involuntary evaluation jurisdiction

Commitment procedures follow the law of the state where the client is located, which may require contacting that jurisdiction's crisis or law enforcement system.

Remote administration of instruments

Validated measures such as the PHQ-9 or C-SSRS can be given remotely with unchanged scoring, but item-level risk responses require structured follow-up.

Collateral contact authorization

Contacting family or others requires a signed release unless an emergency exception applies, and the contact must be documented.

Telehealth eligibility screening

Intake review identifying clients unsuitable for remote care, such as active high risk without a safe environment, no private space, or poor connectivity.

Quality indicators

Measures such as time to appointment, no-show rate, standardized outcome change, technical failure rate, and adverse event tracking.

Payer reimbursement variation

Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans each define eligible codes, originating-site rules, modality limits, and modifiers, requiring verification per payer and state.

Staff competency verification

Documented training and periodic refreshers covering platform use, privacy safeguards, emergency procedures, and documentation standards for telehealth staff.

Program evaluation

Review of client and clinician satisfaction, equity analysis by broadband access, language, and disability, and a feedback loop into policy revision.