Telehealth Learning Series for SUD Tx and Recovery Support Providers

The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network, the Center for Excellence on Protected Health Information (CoE-PHI), the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers, and the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT) at the University of Nevada - Reno (UNR) are facilitating a FREE, national online discussion and resource sharing opportunity for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers and peer support specialists faced with transitioning their services to the use of telephone and videoconferencing methods in response to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

The series will feature:

• Live, one-hour sessions every week for at least 5 weeks via Zoom video conferencing (we may add more weeks based on demand!). Each session will include at least 45 minutes of peer-to-peer conversation and information exchange and “Top Five” tips and lessons learned
• Access to experienced providers and others with expertise in providing services using videoconferencing (telehealth) and telephone for SUD treatment and recovery support
• Access to professionals with expertise in protected health information and 42CFR Part 2
• Training tools, checklists, and other relevant resources

Who Should Attend?
SUD treatment providers, including peer specialists, counselors, administrators, peer support officers, and others providing and/or interested in providing care to patients/peers via videoconferencing platforms (telehealth) and/or telephone.

Registration
No registration required for the live sessions. Simply click on the zoom link at the appropriate date and time to join the discussion. No CEs will be provided for these sessions.

When?
Weeks of March 30 through April 27. Join one, two, three … or all of the live sessions! Combine your live session attendance with review of a curated list of resources that will soon be available on this page!

HITEQ Webinar Takeaways:

• The Top 7 Telehealth Privacy Consideration section of the session is available as a recording. The slides are available here.

1. You Can Still Take Action to Protect Client Confidential Information - Providers should try to avoid public wi-fi, password protect their devices, and keep any confidential files secure.
2. You Can Use Widely Available Apps to Support Service Delivery - OCR announced that it will waive potential penalties for violations arising out of good faith use of telehealth. Suggest also reviewing SAMHSA’s COVID-19 Guidance and Resources.
3. Making Determinations About Medical Emergencies - SAMHSA’s guidance emphasized that providers can make their own determinations whether a “medical emergency” exists. Any disclosures must be documented, and providers should remember that disclosures made under this exception do not continue to have Part 2 protections.
4. In-Person Consent is Not Needed - Part 2 allows e-signatures on consent forms, as long as state law permits. Consents are not needed to communicate with the patient. Consent is needed for disclosures of patient identifying information.
5. Check Your State Laws - Check whether State laws or licensing requirements have additional privacy requirements.
6. Key Information for Your Clients - Inform clients that confidential communications overheard by their roommates, family or friends will generally not be protected by the federal health privacy laws.
7. Ways Clients Can Protect Their Information - Clients should avoid public wi-fi if possible, password protect devices, and find private space for receipt of services.