The Ehealth, Telehealth and Telemedicine Blog

Skype & HIPAA: What are the issues today?

As stated in an earlier blog post, it’s almost impossible to know for sure if Skype is HIPAA compliant for these reasons:

1. Skype is proprietary software so we do not have ready access to behind-the-scenes information

2. HIPAA was intentionally written as if a document that is meant to evolve as technology evolves.

Does Video Contact with Clients or Patients Require HIPAA Compliance?

If a US-based company isn’t claiming HIPAA compliance, my tendency is to recommend against using them for the delivery of telepsychiatry, telepsychology, online therapy or online counseling in the US, until they make claims for which they can be held accountable by our federal consumer protection agencies. That includes email, chat rooms, telephone or videoconferencing.

HIPAA & Hijacked SKYPE Passwords: Another Security Violation that Brings Viability of Online Counseling via SKYPE into Yet More Questioning

Recent report of SKYPE security breach involving password hijacking. As a result, viability of SKYPE for telehealth service delivery is even more questionable if such security breaches cannot be stopped.

Telehealth Licensing Requirements: Where Do I Have to Be Licensed?

Important questions about licensing laws for online mental health professionals who asking, “Where do I need to be licensed if I want to practice online?”

American Psychological Association Ethical Codes Point to the Need for Online Health Care Professionals to be Properly Trained

Concurrently, standard ethical requirements promulgated by most professional mental health associations point to the need for professionals venturing into new areas to undertake a relevant course of study prior to delivering services to consumers. This ethical mandate is illustrated by a excerpt from the 2002 APA Ethics Code, for which relevant sections have been highlighted below:

Fraudulent Online Counseling or Online Therapy Business Owners: Could This Happen to You?

When people come to the website and pay their money, they really don’t have a clue who they’re really speaking to. All they know is that somebody is using a name of someone who has a license. If they checked by state licensing board, they would see that indeed my license is valid. But the reality is, they could be speaking to the janitor, who might just happen to be a good schmoozer. The the point is, a consumer and professionals like me can easily get bamboozled by ruthless business people who take advantage of us both.

Is SKYPE Secured for Online Counseling?

If you are like many professionals who are toying with the idea of practicing online, you’ve probably been giving  consideration to whether or not Skype meets requirements for security. You may know about the type of security required for electronic medication with or about patients by laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 [...]