Best teletherapy platforms
To say the telehealth industry is booming right now would be an understatement.
According to statistics, the use of telehealth (healthcare services provided virtually) is 38 times higher in 2021 than before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
That growth started because telehealth was an effective solution to restrictions that the Coronavirus put on in-person services. And teletherapy - virtual therapy services including Psychology, Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy is no exception.
Teletherapy using the best teletherapy platforms has been a game-changer for parents who need their children to attend therapy but are working around school closures, remote jobs, and rules on wearing masks.
Adult clients have also benefited from increased access to teletherapy. Despite certain illnesses or Covid-19 exposures, they are often still able to attend therapy sessions using the best teletherapy platforms when teletherapy is an option.
Due to the benefits to both providers and clients, it appears that the popularity of teletherapy is here to stay. Clients and providers have reported high levels of satisfaction with conducting sessions virtually through the best teletherapy platforms, and telemedicine is currently used for 13% to 17% of patient visits in the U.S. across all specialties.
Conducting teletherapy sessions over a HIPAA compliant video conferencing platform using the best teletherapy platforms is an absolute must in order to comply with federal privacy laws. We’ve done the research and narrowed it down to the best teletherapy platforms to help you select one for your practice.
But first, let’s talk more about the importance of offering HIPAA-compliant video conferencing in your practice.
What is HIPAA compliant video conferencing?
Teletherapy is an effective, convenient alternative to in-person therapy. It is important for therapists to keep in mind that the privacy rules and regulations that apply to face-to-face therapy must also be followed for teletherapy sessions.
According to the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), “use of telepractice must be equivalent to the quality of services provided in person and consistent with adherence to the Code of Ethics...state and federal laws (e.g., licensure, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA])...and ASHA policy.”
To maintain compliance with HIPAA laws, the best teletherapy platforms offer encryption of video connection and data to offer clients and providers the necessary level of security and privacy required to conduct teletherapy sessions.
The best teletherapy platforms also offer more than just a secure connection for conducting therapy sessions. The best teletherapy platform can allow providers to manage billing information, documentation, and messaging with clients and caregivers all while adhering to privacy laws.
Best teletherapy platforms
Here are our picks for the best teletherapy platforms:
Based on features offered, price, ease of accessibility, video quality, and reliability, the best teletherapy platforms are:
- TheraPlatform
- Zoom for Healthcare
- Doxy.me
- GoToMeeting
- VSee
Feature | TheraPlatform | Zoom for Healthcare | Doxy.me | GotoMeeting | VSee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Comprehensive scheduling | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Documentation | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Billing and Invoicing | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Insurance | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Client portal | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
High quality audio/visual | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
EHR integration | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Waiting room | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Cloud recording | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Medical device integration | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Unlimited calls and sessions | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Price | $39/mo | $14.99/mo | $29/mo | $12/mo | Free |
TheraPlatform
TheraPlatform is a fully integrated teletherapy and practice management software for therapists that includes high-quality HIPAA compliant video conferencing, scheduling, whiteboard, screen sharing, interactive apps, scheduling, therapy notes, billing, e-claim submission, intake and consent forms, secure messaging, client’s portal, reports and more. This all-in-one solution makes it one of the best teletherapy platforms on the market.
Who is it for?
TheraPlatform’s features are geared specifically toward therapy services. That includes Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology/Counseling services, among others.
Sign up for our free teletherapy academy
Highlights
TheraPlatform is the best teletherapy platform as it offers numerous features that can streamline managing a private practice or conducting private sessions for any therapist. This HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform stands out from the rest because it offers tools to manage every area of private therapy practice. Here are some of the best features that TheraPlatform offers:
- HIPAA compliant video conferencing. Video connection encryption, website connection encryption (SSL) with 2048-bit SSL and 256-bit encryption. 24/7 server monitoring, database backups, and regular risk assessment audits.
- Scheduling. A simple-to-use scheduling system offers flexibility and functionality. Appointment reminders help reduce cancellation and no-show rates.
- Documentation. A built-in documentation feature allows therapists to document therapy notes, progress notes, evaluations, and discharge notes that are easily accessible. All documentation is housed in a HIPAA-compliant space too.
- Billing and Invoicing. Another tool that TheraPlatorm offers to save time and money for therapists is the billing feature. Not only that, but clients can take comfort in knowing this feature consists of bank-level security, another reason it’s one of the best teletherapy platforms
- Insurance. No headaches dealing with insurance claims here! TheraPlatform offers a claims center, which simplifies claims by allowing therapists to streamline them and complete them in one secure place. You can even track claims status and payments.
- Client portal. Clients can schedule, complete and sign forms, and view invoices all on the secure client portal. TheraPlatform even offers educational resources here for clients!
- Teaching tools:
- built-in whiteboard
- interactive screen sharing with live annotations
- ability to upload PDFs, JPEGs, PNGs, MP3 and MP4 and present them during live sessions
- ability to organize YouTube videos and watch them during live sessions
- homework sharing
- built in apps and games (Pro Plus plan only).
In addition, TheraPlatform offers session document sharing, video screen sharing, and group teletherapy sessions.
Start 30-day Free Trial and explore TheraPlatform. HIPAA Compliant Video and Practice Management Software for Therapists.
Zoom for healthcare
You’ve likely used the free version of Zoom at some point for video conferencing meetings. Zoom for Healthcare offers HIPAA compliant video conferencing software for telehealth sessions. With consent, therapists have the ability to record sessions that can also be transcribed. The platform is simple and straightforward to use making it one of the best teletherapy platforms.
Who is it for?
Zoom for Healthcare offers industry-specific plans for healthcare professionals. The platform may appeal to some medical professionals because of its unique ability to integrate with certain medical devices. While Zoom for Healthcare offers HIPAA-compliant video conferencing for telehealth, it does not offer tools such as billing, scheduling, or documentation. Therapists using Zoom for Healthcare will need to use additional software to help with those areas.
Highlights
- HIPAA and PIPEDA compliant video conferencing. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) protects data in motion by encrypting it at the application layer.
- Client waiting room. An option for clients to wait in a virtual waiting room when they arrive for a teletherapy session allows providers to stay on track with time, especially during back-to-back therapy sessions.
- Pricing Options. Zoom for Healthcare offers 2 pricing options depending on the number of licenses needed in your practice. If you’re providing teletherapy solo or your practice has 9 or fewer providers, you’ll pay $14.99 per month for the platform. Pricing for larger organizations starts at $19.99 per month.
- Consistent audio-visual connection and quality. Users report reliable HD video and audio connection, which is essential for completing daily teletherapy sessions seamlessly.
- Medical device integrations. Zoom for Healthcare offers medical device integrations so devices such as certain stethoscopes or monitors can be used virtually to examine and treat patients.
- EMR integration. Zoom for Healthcare has the ability to integrate with the EMR system Epic. Providers can launch the video conferencing platform from Epic to start telehealth sessions.
Doxy.me
Who is it for?
Doxy.me is one of the best teletherapy platforms for healthcare providers looking for a basic, cost-effective HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform without the bells and whistles that some of the other platforms offer. Therapists can use the Doxy.me platform for free to conduct teletherapy sessions with a high level of privacy and security.
Highlights
- Free. A large appeal to this platform is that there is a HIPPA compliant free forever plan. If you want features like screen sharing, text and email invites/notifications, payments, or HD video (standard quality is included in the free version), you’ll need to upgrade to the Professional Plan, which costs $29 per month.
- High level of security. The free forever plan meets HIPAA, GDPR, and PIPEDA/PHIPA requirements.
- Unlimited video call minutes and sessions. No need to worry about how many minutes a teletherapy session or evaluation will take because of any restrictions from the platform.
- Waiting room. Clients can enter the waiting room when they arrive for a teletherapy session. That allows providers to juggle busy daily schedules more easily and give clients their full amount of allotted time in a session.
Download our free Ultimate Guide to Teletherapy Ebook
GoToMeeting
Who is it for?
Providers looking for a simple, affordable HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform to conduct teletherapy sessions may be interested in using GoToMeeting. Starting at $12 per month for the professional plan, HD video and unlimited meetings are offered by GoToMeeting.
Highlights
- Affordable pricing. The lowest-cost plan, Professional, costs $12 per month per user. It includes business messaging, HD video, and unlimited meetings and is considered one of the best teletherapy platforms for this reason.
- Cloud recording. If you join the Business plan for $16 per month per user, you’ll have access to unlimited cloud recording and automatic transcriptions. Those are features that could be appealing to certain therapy professionals, such as Speech Therapists.
- Syncs with GoToConnect. Therapists using this platform can take advantage of syncing it to GoToConnect, which offers email access, texting, phone, messaging, and file sharing.
VSee
Who is it for?
Providers who conduct medical exams and monitoring during their telehealth visits may be happy to see that VSee offers medical device streaming and a remote patient monitoring dashboard that allows patients to auto sync data from devices like scales. Therapists may be interesting in the free forever plan that offers HIPAA compliant video conferencing for teletherapy sessions, making it one of the best teletherapy platforms
Highlights
- HIPAA compliant free version. Even the Free Forever version of VSee offers HIPAA-compliant video conferencing for unlimited one-to-one teletherapy sessions.
- Virtual waiting room. This feature can streamline a busy therapist’s day.
- Online forms. Intake and consent forms can be filled out virtually by clients and caregivers. This feature is included in the Basic plan for $49 per month.
- Payment and online appointments. Join the Basic plan for $49 per month and you can collect credit card payments and schedule online appointments for teletherapy sessions.
Choosing the best platform for your practice
When it comes to finding the best teletherapy platform for your teletherapy sessions, it’s clear that there’s an abundance of options. So, how do you choose the best teletherapy platform for your practice?
Consider this. What needs can a video conferencing platform fulfill for your practice?
Prior to reading our list, you may not have known that the best teletherapy platforms can do much more than allow you to conduct teletherapy sessions while staying in compliance with HIPAA and privacy laws.
Now that you know some video conferencing platforms can help you manage everything from documentation to billing and scheduling, you may want to consider choosing the best teletherapy platform that can help streamline your business. Just starting your own teletherapy practice? The right HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform can help grow your business by providing you with the tools you need.
Teletherapy and beyond
Clients and providers have turned to teletherapy for therapy sessions due to its convenience, safety, and effectiveness.
Whether you’ve been conducting teletherapy sessions and are looking for a better way, or you’re growing a practice and are interested in software that can manage many areas of your business’s needs, it is so important to use the best teletherapy platform.
There are numerous options out there, but from our analysis, TheraPlatform takes the cake when it comes to offering a one-stop solution to the clinical, financial, and scheduling needs of a practice that provides teletherapy. All through a HIPAA compliant video conferencing platform. TheraPlatform, an all-in-one EHR, practice management and teletherapy tool was built for therapists to help them save time on admin tasks. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial of TheraPlatform now.
More resources
- Therapy resources and worksheets
- Therapy private practice courses
- Ultimate teletherapy ebook
- The Ultimate Insurance Billing Guide for Therapists
- The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Private Therapy Practice
