By Rajnish Mago, MD (bio)
On this page, I will list all the HIPAA-compliant telepsychiatry platforms that I am aware of and will regularly update this page with information about them as it is gathered. The platforms are listed here alphabetically.
Note: Several EMRs have the option of adding telemedicine within the EMR, e.g., Charm, SimplePractice. In these cases, one has to pay for the EMR and then an additional fee for add-on telehealth. These EMRs are not being discussed on this page.
HIPAA compliance
When we see a patient via telemedicine, information that identifies the patient is being transmitted. So, we must have what is called a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with the company that provides the telemedicine platform that we are using.
It has been argued that since the information (the video conference) is being transmitted back and forth but not stored, the telemedicine platform should be considered simply a conduit and not a Business Associate as defined by HIPAA. But, this is a matter of interpretation of the law and malpractice carriers strongly advise that we should be very cautious if the platform we are using does not provide a Business Associate Agreement. For example, Facetime and the basic Skype do not have BAAs and, so, are not clearly HIPAA-compliant.
But, on March 17, 2020, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced that “effective immediately…it will exercise its enforcement discretion and will waive potential penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients through everyday communications technologies during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency” (source)
It went on to say that, “This exercise of discretion applies to widely available communications apps, such as FaceTime or Skype, when used in good faith for any telehealth treatment or diagnostic purpose, regardless of whether the telehealth service is directly related to COVID-19” (source).
Clocktree
Plans from $29 to $89.
90-day free trial available.
Doxy.me
Their free version is very popular and has been sufficient for many clinicians. But, what I have heard is that though it is easy to use, the quality of the free version is currently problematic at times, presumably due to the higher volume during the coronavirus pandemic.
The paid version is $35 per month for individual clinicians and more for clinics or group practices.
Mend
Includes telemedicine and other “front end” features, e.g., scheduling, reminders.
One of our Members told me that she has been using Mend for a long time and that it is very good.
For pricing, we have to contact their sales representative, but I am told that it is about $40 per month (less if paid for a year).
Quannet Health
For pricing, have to contact their sales representative.
SecureVideo
This was recommended by some of our readers who have used it for years without a problem.
Cost: $50 per month for unlimited sessions.
Spruce
Includes a business phone number, voicemail, texting, secure messaging, email, etc.
$29 per month for a single user. Upgraded plans for multiple users and with additional features are also available.
thera-LINK
$45 per month for unlimited sessions.
15-day free trial available without having to enter a credit card.
Thera Platform
$29 per month for unlimited sessions. Upgraded plans are also available.
VSee
Very widely used.
$49 per month for unlimited sessions.
Vidyo
For pricing, have to contact their sales representative.
WeCounsel
Their Basic plan, which includes unlimited sessions, is free.
Their Professional plan, with many added features, is $99 per month.
Zoom for Healthcare
The HIPAA-compliant version is $200 per month for 10 licenses. That’s a minimum number of licenses. So, it comes to $20 per user. I checked with Zoom and one person can make the payment and share the other nine licenses with colleagues. That’s a hassle, of course, except for group practices.
Some EMRs allow Zoom to be added on at an affordable rate.
Note: There is a free version and a cheaper version of Zoom for $15 per month. But, these do not come with a Business Associate Agreement and, so, are not be HIPAA-compliant.
This page was last updated on March 30, 2020.
Related Pages
Telepsychiatry: Your questions answered
Expert Interview: Peter Yellowlees, MD, on Telepsychiatry
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Thanks so much for compiling this resource! I’d love to know as the COVID situation continues which of these platforms are holding up well and which are experiencing issues.
Hi Sunny. What I’m hearing is that the free version of doxy.me and VSee have been problematic in the last few days, presumably due to the higher than usual volume. I used Zoom yesterday and it was excellent. Colleagues who are using the paid version of doxy.me and SecureVideo.com tell me that these are working well.
Raj, thank you for compiling this excellent resource. I was just about to do my own search as the platform I’ve been using had had technical issues, perhaps due to skyrocketing demand and use of the site.
Again, thank you!
Would love to know which platform is experiencing issues – so we can avoid.