Client Services Update Regarding COVID-19
Our VIRTUAL OFFICE is OPEN for business!
Summit Family Therapy wants to remain available and accessible to you and your family during this challenging time. Enjoy the comfort and safety of your home as you meet with your therapist in our virtual office space!
We are asking all clients to switch to TeleHealth. Exceptions for in-person sessions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by your therapist. As of Monday, March 23rd, our physical clinic is closed to clients. Please call our office at 309-713-1485 or email us at info@summitfamily.net for more information.
To learn more about our Virtual Office, please visit our website https://summitfamilytherapy.com/video-sessions-telehealth. (UPDATE 03/20/2020)
Gov. Pritzker issued Executive Order #2020-09 ordering all commercial health insurance plans to extend behavioral health coverage to Telehealth. The order will be effective until the State’s COVID-19 Emergency Declaration is rescinded. (UPDATE 03/19/2020)
COVID-19 Operating Policy
We are continually receiving updates from the CDC and will adjust any future plans accordingly. We take your health very seriously, and we also understand that mental health symptoms may be exacerbated in times like this.
We are taking extra precautions to protect our staff and clients in the following ways:
1. We are disinfecting our offices and common areas throughout the day. We have equipped waiting areas with hand sanitizing wall pumps. We have hospital grade saniwipes for hard surfaces and antibacterial spray for furniture. Toys in the play therapy room are also being disinfected between every session.
2. We are now offering telehealth sessions via a HIPAA secure online platform called through Simple Practice. We will send instructions (https://summitfamilytherapy.com/video-sessions-telehealth) and informed consent paperwork to any client requesting online video sessions instead of in person sessions. We are encouraging our clients to preemptively call their insurance companies to see if Telehealth, outpatient psychotherapy is a covered service.* Simply call the member service number on the back of your insurance card, and ask “Is Telehealth, Outpatient Psychotherapy a covered service on my plan?” If your plan does not cover this service, you still have the option to self pay at the contracted rate of your insurance company. You will need internet and video capability, which is standard on all smart phones and tablets.
*On March 19th, Gov. Pritzker issued Executive Order #2020-09 which expanded TeleHealth to all plans providing Behavioral Health Services. The order will be in force until Illinois’ COVID-19 Emergency Declaration is rescinded.
3. We will not charge late cancel fees if the cancellation is related to sickness or close contact with a sick person even if last minute.
Here is what we need you to do:
1. If you are sick or a high risk population, please stay home and contact us immediately. You may either switch to telehealth or cancel your appointment entirely. We value both your physical and mental health.
2. Due to the difficulty of doing play therapy via webcam, sessions for younger children will likely be parent consultation or family sessions. We can be creative and work to meet your child’s needs.
3. Please help your children wash their hands and use sanitizer before sessions.
Here is a link with further information about how we provide telehealth video sessions and find your counselor’s virtual waiting room:
https://summitfamilytherapy.com/video-sessions-telehealth
Due to the evolving situation, some clinicians may adjust their hours of availability to accommodate family needs, so please be mindful of any emails or phone calls from our office.
Lastly, our ability to respond to phone calls and emails may be delayed due to staffing needs. Please feel free to leave a phone message or email us. Even though we may not answer right away, we are monitoring our messages. Due to the potential of having limited administrative support, again, we are encouraging clients to also call their health insurance plans to see if Telehealth is a covered service.
We appreciate your patience as we adapt to this evolving situation. We are all in this together, so let’s spread calm and not germs.
Sincerely,
Drs. Ryan & Courtney Stivers