ABHS CLIENT INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AND TEMPORARY TELEHEALTH OPTIONS
ABHS Administration and Staff have been actively working to develop a response to the growing concern regarding COVID-19. Our primary priority is the safety of our patients, staff and all families. This has resulted in our taking into consideration how to reduce risk of exposure while still providing access to services.
Is the ABHS Office open?
ABHS has both in-person and Telehealth Services available.
The ABHS practitioners will be using HIPAA compliant Telehealth platforms to facilitate appointments for psychotherapy and medication management. You will either receive a secure call, or email invite to your Telehealth meeting. To ensure a seemless transition please download the appropriate app(s) prior to your appointment using the links below.
The app we will be using during this time is called Vonage:
-Prior to your appointment, you will receive an email from your provider with a link to a secure video meeting.
FAQs
What if I do not have wifi/data to access video services?
Please contact your provider or our office to discuss. We will provide the best possible options to provide continued care
How do I give consent to receive Telehealth services?
Please find our a link to our Telehealth Consent Form below. You can download the form and electronically sign and send to our office via email appointments@abhsm.com
If you have any trouble downloading or accessing the form, please call our office for assistance at 443-354-8903
What if the telehealth service gets interrupted due to poor internet connection or other tech issue?
You are your provider will discuss contingencies regarding technical difficulties. If you are disconnected, please plan to call the office for assistance at 443 354 8903.
Is Telehealth appropriate for all Patients?
Telehealth services may be contraindicated for more serious symptoms, such as psychosis, suicidality, or homicidality. If a client presents with a more serious symptom, the clinician will use their clinical judgement to determine appropriateness for telehealth and other options. Your clinicians will provide specific instructions for treatment in these cases.
What to do if I am experiencing a Mental Health emergency?
If a client has a mental health emergency during a session, safety precautions must still be taken, which include:
Contacting emergency services - Dial 911
Patients should seek psychiatric evaluation at local hospital. If hospitals are closed for evaluations due to states of emergency, patients should seek treatment at an emergency room
Does my insurance cover telehealth services?
During the state of emergency of 2020 due to COVID-19, telehealth services have been approved by governing medical boards. In addition, insurance companies have expanded coverage to allow for telehealth services
Once the state of emergency is over, we may have to end telehealth services. At this point, the state of Maryland has indicated telehealth is only temporarily covered by your insurance.
How do I keep from getting sick?
One of the best things you can do is to wash your hands and have children practice hand washing skills. Here is a great resource for how to wash hands appropriately from the CDC