Are LMHCs "Essential Workers" During Quarantine?
The City of Tampa and Pinellas County have both issued "stay at home orders" while providing exceptions for "essential workers." The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security provides guidance on what is considered an "essential worker."
Under "Healthcare/Public Health," note the following:
“Healthcare/Public Health...Caregivers (e.g., physicians, dentists, psychologists, mid-level practitioners, nurses and assistants, infection control and quality assurance personnel, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists and assistants, social workers, speech pathologists and diagnostic and therapeutic technicians and technologists)”
Hillsborough County's "Safer at Home" order recognizes the same occupations identified by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security as "essential."
Pinellas County's "Safer at Home" order (Resolution 20-20) provides an exception for “healthcare providers and public health operations…including but not limited to…mental health professionals…therapists…substance abuse providers…”
When FMHCA asked the 491 Board whether Governor DeSantis's Executive Order No. 20-72 prohibits LMHCs from seeing clients in person at this time, we received the following response:
"The Executive Order explicitly leaves discretion on proceeding with procedures to the medical professional, based on his or her expertise and the specific factual situation of each patient. Only the medical professional can make that determination. As it relates to telehealth options, only you, as the licensed health care professional can determine how to safety continue to see clients during this time. I certainly understand that not all patients are suited to undergo treatment by electronic means. At this point, there have been no broad prohibitions for discontinuance of any type of health care in person.” Read the email exchange here.
Help Distribute FMHCA's "Open Letter" to Florida's Insurers
FMHCA was inspired by Julie Galassini of Mental Health Counselors of Central Florida (MHCCF), a member of FMHCA's Government Relations Committee, to write an open letter to Florida's insurance companies calling on them to make telehealth for psychotherapy covered under all policies during the COVID-19 crisis. Now, we need the help of our regional chapters to get this letter out to Florida's insurers! Click here to read or download the letter.
491 Board Honors FMHCA's Request to Hold Future Meetings Via Live Webinar Broadcast
At the request of Erica Whitfield, FMHCA's Government Relations Committee Chair, NE Regional Director Joe Skelly asked the 491 Board to hold its meetings virtually to reduce possible COVID-19 exposure, and the response was very accommodating. Read it here.
SAP Evaluations Must Still be Conducted Face-to-Face
Some licensed mental health professionals are Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) who conduct substance abuse evaluations for U.S. Dept. of Transportation drug-related violations. According to American Substance Abuse Professionals, these evaluations must still be conducted face-to-face/in-person rather than via webcam or other electronic methods.