What is telehealth and what states allow telemedicine? As the name suggests, telemedicine involves the use of technology for remote healthcare services. Also known as telehealth, telemedicine allows doctors and therapists to treat a client online from the comfort of home. Access to a computer, laptop, tablet, or a smartphone, enables doctors to discuss medical symptoms, provide psychotherapy and prescribe medical prescriptions. Through telemedicine, more people can receive needed treatment, making healthcare more accessible for those living in remote areas, or who may be experiencing other barriers when seeking medical help.

Telemedicine continues to be a rapidly growing field. As a newly introduced service, the rollout of telemedicine has been met with many hurdles. For one, not all insurance policies are consistent across the U.S., and some states are much more telehealth-friendly than others, a Manatt analysis shows. So what states allow telemedicine? Let’s explore.

States Launching Telemedicine

Med City News listed what states allow telemedicine, and they are as follows:

• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Maine
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia.

As telemedicine continues to grow in popularity and application, legislators are working to ensure patient safety. Additionally, in light of COVID-19, nearly all states are attempting to quickly adopt telemedicine services to more safely treat patients through remote locations. In a recent survey by Sykes, two-thirds of those screened said the pandemic has increased their willingness to try virtual care. What states allow telemedicine largely depends on policies and ease of access for residents of certain states. As the demand continues to grow, local governments and lawmakers will continue to evaluate the potential for telemedicine services for those residents.

Advantages of Telemedicine

Whether the online person is a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, a therapist, a counselor, a physician’s assistant, a nurse, or other healthcare workers, telemedicine has several advantages. For AspenRidge Recovery, our focus is a substance addiction treatment and mental health services across Colorado. Because telemedicine allows for easy access, AspenRidge Recovery can now successfully connect with clients, regardless of their geographic location. In addition, it allows our clients the reassurance of anonymity. Struggling with substance abuse can bring forth feelings of guilt and shame. Telemedicine services allow addiction treatment centers to create a safe space for clients seeking health and long-term sobriety.

AspenRidge addiction recovery programs and sessions are private and HIPAA compliant. With online counseling, you can get help anywhere, anytime. 

By utilizing features of telemedicine to provide our evidence-based treatment services, our licensed counselors can continue offering a tailored approach for addiction recovery. Current technology has allowed us to interact with clients through the same effective treatment modalities and mental health support that we conduct in-person.

Further, AspenRidge Recovery remains confidential and HIPPA compliant. We operate with secure connections and ensure you are in the best hands while meeting with mental health counselors and therapists, plus our drug addiction specialists. Our recovery programs have been proven successful in assisting individuals battling with substance abuse addiction and alcoholism. We strive for the highest level of care and are incredibly humbled to provide the same level of support to our online clients.

Disadvantages of Telemedicine

One of the disadvantages of telemedicine is access to an internet connection. In addition, there are clients who benefit more through in-person treatment programs. We are here to answer any questions you may have about the logistics of our Online 5-Day IOP AspenRidge Virtual Care treatment program.

For telemedicine to work, Healthline points out the healthcare facility must have the equipment available and the experience to offer these support services. AspenRidge Recovery is uniquely positioned to reach more individuals through an online setting. Learn more about our online intensive outpatient treatment program AspenRidge Virtual Care here.

How Can Telemedicine be Used?

According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, a study conducted in 2018 revealed that nearly six in ten (56%) of American’s seek or want to seek mental health services. In addition, an overwhelming majority of Americans (74%) do not believe such services are accessible for everyone. In another study conducted in 2015 by the Colorado Health Institute, noted that 34% of Coloradans that didn’t receive proper mental health care had trouble getting an appointment. There are many reasons pronounced for the statistics related to inaccessible mental health care and drug treatment including:

• Cost of Treatment
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Fears about speaking to counselors or therapists
• Stigma surrounding addiction and mental health
• Issues finding accessible services

Telemedicine can be used to address a number of these points. The cost of operating virtual treatment programs, for example, is drastically reduced for treatment centers or facilities, allowing for more affordable treatment services for individuals and families. Additionally, the stigma of addiction and mental health can be greatly reduced with private, HIPPA compliant regulations for telemedicine in mental health. There’s also no need for commuting, which also reduces costs and reinforces the anonymity factor.

What is Online Substance Abuse Counseling?

Online substance abuse counseling delivers the same support and treatment modalities as that offered by traditional, face-to-face rehab. Professional counselors trained in online substance abuse counseling offer treatment for drug or alcohol addiction online.

Why is Online Substance Abuse Counseling so Popular?

It is discrete and secure. Online counseling is anonymous. Patients like being able to get help in their homes. In online counseling, patients found it was easier to stay in their treatment plan. Additionally, telemedicine for addiction treatment provides other benefits, such as:

• Online counseling fits patients’ work schedules and family commitments.
• Online counseling is accessible. If you have a tablet, a laptop, a computer, or a  smartphone and an Internet connection, you can link to online counseling.
• Online counseling is affordable. Patients don’t have to drive anywhere. This saves both time and money.
• No matter where you live or work, you can continue your substance abuse treatment.

Is Telemedicine Successful?

Cranford contends telemedicine is successful if it fulfills these criteria:

1. A Well Thought out Plan with Clear Goals
2. The Right Technology Partner: a platform with user-friendly interaction options.
3. Good “Web-Side” Manner: Just like doctors need a good face-to-face bedside manner, so, too, telemedicine healthcare providers must be adept at establishing rapport online.
4. An Effective Marketing Plan: For telemedicine to work, it is essential to have a plan for ensuring patients and your community know about telemedicine options available to them.
5. Good Staff Training: Staff must be taught how to use the hardware and how to do things like scheduling follow-up appointments and answering incoming calls.

Numerous studies have shown that online counseling is as effective as in-person therapy for many medical conditions including substance abuse.

Effectiveness

Veterans with PTSD and substance abuse dual diagnosis have rated the online substance abuse counseling program no less effective than face-to-face therapy.

In a University of Zurich study reported in The Journal of Affective Disorders, 2013, subjects rated their online interactions with a counselor  “as good as if not better than” face-to-face therapy.

In a Canadian study, patients were divided into two groups. One group received face-to-face counseling. The other group received counseling via video. The two groups had statistically the same clinical outcome. The study was reported in The American Psychiatric Association 2007 publication.

Authors Wootton and Herbert explored the question: “What constitutes success in telemedicine?” They concluded that telemedicine is successful if it delivers accessible, quality care at a low cost.

How big is the telemedicine industry?

According to a PR News article, in 2018 telemedicine accounted for almost thirty-one and a half-billion dollars in the US.

Factors that continue to drive these numbers up include health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, an aging population, better telemedicine technology, and medical students trained to use telemedicine tools.

AspenRidge Telemedicine: Online Addiction Treatment

AspenRidge Recovery is a Colorado-based rehab and treatment center. Our accredited, experienced specialists approach substance use, mental health, trauma, depression, stress, and anxiety through a variety of treatment modalities. As a well-established center for addiction treatment, AspenRidge is uniquely designed to create tailored programs to help clients achieve sobriety.

AspenRidge AspenRidge Virtual Care Online Substance Abuse Program is the first-of-its-kind in Colorado, providing private, HIPAA compliant addiction treatment, completely online. AspenRIdge AspenRidge Virtual Care provides access to substance abuse treatment more than 3 million Coloradans that did not have access before. AspenRidge AspenRidge Virtual Care is an evening outpatient treatment program, so clients can get the treatment they need and continue to work or commit to a family life. This online substance abuse program is the same format as our in-person, dual-diagnosis treatment program. Our therapists have Master’s degrees and are licensed to treat both addiction and mental health/complex trauma. We accept insurance and offer reasonable cash pay rates.

To learn more about our AspenRidge AspenRidge Virtual Care Online Program contact us directly at 855-281-5588.

How Does Online AspenRidge Substance Abuse Counseling Work?

When you contact AspenRidge, a trained addiction counselor will explore your situation and the substance abuse challenges you’ve been facing. You will be assigned a treatment counselor who will discuss the various treatment options available gather some background information to help you determine which program would be a good fit for you. Besides online counseling, AspenRidge also offers:

• Day Partial Hospitalization (Day Program)
• Day Intensive Outpatient Program (5-Day IOP)
• AspenRidge AspenRidge Virtual Care Online 5-Day IOP
• 5-Day IOP for Professionals and Working Adults
• Outpatient Program
• Alumni & Aftercare Program

If you, your family, and your counselor decide your best treatment option is online substance abuse counseling, you will complete an in-depth assessment with your personal counselor and together you will come up with your online treatment plan.

Our online program is formatted based on the individual needs of our clients. In general, it is structured for our individuals to meet for 3 hours of group therapy 3 times weekly, and 1 hour of individual therapy plus family therapy video chat and phone call.

If you or a loved one are ready to get help for substance abuse, give us a call now at 855-281-5588. Our addictions specialists are here to help 7 days a week.