We have begun to implement a new platform for telehealth at Gateway Psychiatric.
We have signed a Business Associates agreement with Google, which provides a secure, HIPAA compliant, platform for online meetings of all kinds, including for counseling and telepsychiatry.
Telehealth allows us to provide care for patients throughout California. For many people we will need to have only one in person meeting a year, and the rest can take place from the comfort of your home.
Doctor Forster is a member of the American Telemedicine Association and has been providing telehealth services for more than fifteen years.
Recently Medicare expanded its coverage for telepsychiatry and the American Medical Association recommended greater use of the service to address the shortage of psychiatrists in many areas of the country. You can read a detailed discussion of the pros and cons of telehealth (including online counseling) in a thoughtful article on Blended Care’s website.
The consultation process begins the same way as it does for regular visits –
- A set of forms need to be reviewed, filled out, and faxed back to us, or we can send the forms using a secure document delivery service that allows them to be electronically signed and returned. PDF’s of these forms are at the bottom of the “Beginning a Consultation” page. Or, to request the forms by our secure document delivery service, fill out this request form.
- Once we have received the forms we will send you a link to a comprehensive online questionnaire.
- We will set you up for a one and a half hour intake appointment which will take place using Google Hangouts Meet.
- After that history gathering appointment you will meet with Doctor Forster who will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.