Wisconsin Outlines Standards for Telehealth In Mental Health Programs
Wisconsin Guidance On Telemedicine in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs
The Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), issued new DQA Memo 2015-011 (the “Telehealth Memorandum”) to provide background information and update a previous memo (Memo #2004-14, issued in September 2004) on the use of telehealth in certified mental health and substance abuse treatment programs/services in the State of Wisconsin.
Recognizing that significant technological advances have been made since the earlier memo, the DQA details revisions to the minimum requirements for telehealth certification by mental health and substance abuse programs in the State of Wisconsin. The new standards for certification purport to permit use of hardware and software that may be less costly and easier to use. This may result in facilitating broader use of telehealth to benefit patients with the state of Wisconsin.
The Telehealth Memorandum outlines basic certification requirements and references the application form for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Telehealth certification for additional detail. Specific requirements are outlined that certified mental health and substance abuse treatment programs must follow in order to use telehealth technology as a means of service provision for counseling, psychotherapy, medication management or related clinical consultation. Services may include outpatient services, crisis services, community support services, comprehensive community services, day treatment programs, inpatient, and other services.
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