Getting behavioral health support during COVID-19
Optum has updated policies for Behavioral Health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) members.
Optum is taking action to make sure our Behavioral Health and EAP members can get the care they need now as the effects of COVID-19 continue to increase. With many people across the country now practicing social distancing and sheltering in place, there has been a growing demand for telephonic and virtual care visits.
To respond to this ongoing situation, Optum is allowing the use of popular applications for video chat or telephonic care to support our commercial, Medicare and Medicaid members.
This means that for members or providers who do not have access to approved technology typically required to conduct a virtual visit, alternative technologies like telephone visits or video chat services — like Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Zoom, Google Hangouts or Skype — can be used immediately. This also applies to health care providers who are qualified and licensed in accordance with applicable regulations to provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services.
This policy change is effective until April 30, 2020 and we will evaluate an extension as the situation evolves.
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