Health Information Technology & Telepsychology

Health Information Technology (HIT) implementation is intended to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of health care delivery by providing tools such as electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support systems, e-prescribing within interoperable systems, and telehealth applications. Current efforts involve moving the mainly paper-based health records system to an electronic health records system. EHRs are intended to allow for comprehensive management of health information and its secure exchange between patients, health professionals and other entities that use health records through one nationwide interoperable system.

Telepsychology is the provision of psychological services using telecommunication technologies. Depending on how the term is used, telepsychology or telehealth may be narrowly or widely defined to include a variety of telecommunication technologies such as telephone, mobile devices, interactive videoconferencing, email, chat, text and Internet (e.g., self-help websites, blogs and social media). In addition, it might be applicable only to the delivery of clinical services or it might also include continuing professional education, patient education, public health and health administration.

The Practice Organization is advocating for strong privacy and security protections as HIT is implemented and more psychologists seek to incorporate technology in their practices, while also developing guidance for members on HIT issues and telehealth practices.

More information can be found in these articles on using technology in your practice.

• Webinar: Telepsychology & the Psychology lnterjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) – May 24, 2018
• Addressing the need for behavioral health among Medicare beneficiaries
• APA joins AMA telehealth policy group
• New Behavioral Health Information Technology bill introduced in Senate
• Behavioral Health Information Technology bill introduced in US Senate
• Take action: Help us make psychology eligible for incentive payments
• How much do you know about electronic health records?

• Maryland becomes 13th state to mandate telehealth services coverage

• Reimbursement for Telehealth Services (PDF, 792KB)

• Leading Psychology into the Telehealth World (PDF, 189KB)

• New Senate legislation would include psychology in HITECH incentive payments

• Reimbursement for telehealth services

• APAPO builds on work to protect psychological testing data

• Electronic health records: Psychology seeks profession's inclusion as meaningful users

• Telehealth 50-State Review (PDF, 446 KB)

• Telehealth: Legal Basics for Psychologists (PDF, 1.9 MB)

• Telehealth Resources for Psychologists

• The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (PDF, 58 KB)

• APA Practice Comments on Proposed Health Information Technology Rule

• Psychology gains strong protections in Health Information Technology Act

• The Drive Toward Health Information Technology: Where Are we Heading?