Online Therapy - How Does It Work?
Gatewell is pleased to offer online therapy to clients in several states. Our registered dietitian nutritionist also offers online sessions across the country. We offer HIPAA-compliant video appointments, in addition to standard phone sessions. Research has shown that video therapy is comparable to in-person therapy in its effectiveness.
Online counseling, including phone and video sessions, allows clients and therapists to meet outside of a physical office. A face-to-face encounter is preserved with video sessions, while concerns such as geography and scheduling are avoided. Video therapy allows clients and providers who have an established therapeutic relationship to continue working together when physical circumstances intervene or for clients who might otherwise be unable to access care to enter treatment. This is particularly important with regard to accessing specialized care.
Online counseling may also be particularly useful for clients who are medically compromised/disabled, for those without transportation, for those unable to leave their offices during a workday, for new parents, or for those who struggle with an emotional issue that makes attending an in-person session more challenging. Online therapy, however, is not indicated with all individuals or in all cases. Some clients may actually benefit from an in-person visit, rather than a remote one. At Gatewell, we will carefully review the pros and cons of teletherapy with you.
Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy?
Each individual policy is different and the field of online counseling is still evolving, so this is a challenging question to answer. Insurance does not cover phone sessions, but it might cover video therapy appointments, depending on your policy. To check with your insurer, ask if video therapy is covered. The procedural code modifiers are either "GT" or "95," depending on the plan. The location code is "02," which signifies teletherapy. If your insurer states that they will cover/reimburse you for online therapy, it is beneficial to get this authorization in writing. Still, coverage/reimbursement is not guaranteed until a claim is submitted and an explanation of benefits (EOB) is received.