For Providers: FAQ
Am I eligible to offer services through Breakthrough?
If you are a licensed mental health care professional in good standing in the United States, you may provide services through Breakthrough to clients within your state(s) of licensure. Unlicensed practitioners such as astrologists and psychics are not allowed to provide services through Breakthrough.
How will I be compensated?
You set your own fees. Clients currently pay you before or after a session through PayPal, which allows clients to pay you through a credit card or bank account. Soon, you may receive payment through additional options, require pre-session payments, and auto-bill clients based on session times.
How much does Breakthrough cost?
For providers, our secure communication tools are entirely free.
Clients pay providers out-of-pocket or through insurance. Clients do not pay Breakthrough any fees.
Breakthrough earns revenue from working with institutions, such as health plans, hospitals, and employers.
Is online counseling covered by insurance or Medicare/Medicaid?
Yes, since 2004, providers of online counseling and telepsychiatry may receive reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, and a growing number of insurance plans. CPT codes identify the following services that are eligible for reimbursement.
- Phone or online health care management: 98966 - 98969
- Individual psychotherapy: 90804 – 90809
- Consultations: 99241 – 99255
- Office or other outpatient visits: 99201 – 99215
- Pharmacologic management: 90862
- Psychiatric diagnostic interview examination: 90801
- Neurobehavioral status examination: 96116
CPT code descriptions can be found on the American Medical Association's CPT directory. The modifier GT may be necessary to identify that services were delivered via telemedicine.
For Medicare reimbursement, clients generally must receive treatment at an eligible originating site, such as a doctor's office, hospital, nursing facility, mental health clinic, or similar facility. Private payers often do not have the same locality restrictions. More details on reimbursement are available through the American Telemedicine Association.
I am not that technical. How technically competent do I need to be?
We strive to make Breakthrough easy to use for our providers. We understand this is a new area for many.
You should be familiar with basic internet activities such as email, web browsing, online chat, and uploading files. You should have a PayPal account to receive online payments (sign up is free). You do not need to know how to create webpages or how to program. Our site will create a personal webpage for you.
We do believe online counseling is a special skill that requires training and practice. We recommend that providers learn about the practice of online counseling from resources such as the American Telemedicine Association's Practice Guidelines for Telemental Health and the Online Therapy Institute.
What technology will I need?
Your technology needs will depend on which mediums you choose to practice through, such as video, phone, email, and chat. At a minimum you will need an internet connection and a web browser.
A cell phone or landline is required for conducting phone sessions. A web camera and microphone are required for video sessions. A web browser and internet connection are sufficient for email and chat sessions.
We recommend a high-quality web camera for the best experience. Two well-reviewed webcams include the Logitech Quick Cam Pro 9000 and the Logitech Portable Webcam C905. Both are available for about $75 (Breakthrough receives no affiliate bonuses for these recommendations and other webcams may work just as well.)
Is online counseling effective?
Yes, over a dozen peer-reviewed and published studies show online counseling is as effective as in-person treatment. Online counseling also increases client retention, reduces costs, and enables mental health providers to expand their practice. See our list of effectiveness studies to learn more.
However, online counseling is not a replacement for in-person help and not suitable for clients in crisis or with severe conditions.
Is online counseling legal?
Online mental health services are subject to state, federal, and licensing board regulations. These regulations generally allow online mental health services when professionals are licensed in the client's state and practicing with legal and ethical guidelines.
To meet and exceed compliance requirements, Breakthrough only allows mental health professionals to see clients in the states where professionals are credentialed. Mental health professionals can often apply for credentials in multiple states.
Government regulations and licensing boards are rapidly evolving to accommodate online and remote mediums. Clients and providers of online mental health services should become familiar with the regulations of their state before using Breakthrough.
Is Breakthrough secure and HIPAA compliant?
Yes, Breakthrough encrypts data via 256-bit SSL encryption and complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All communication between a client and provider is encrypted in transit. We restrict sharing of Personal Health Information (PHI) per HIPAA rules.
We have also undergone an external security audit to ensure our technologies and policies are HIPAA-compliant.
For your security, we strongly recommend that you do not use Breakthrough on public computers. We also recommend that you do not store your Breakthrough password through your web browser or other software.
What is my relationship with Breakthrough? Am I a customer, contractor, or employee?
All providers on Breakthrough are customers, not contractors or employees. Breakthrough is a technology platform and does not itself provide any health care services. If you wish to engage in a Business Associate Agreement, contact us at support@breakthrough.com.
Is Breakthrough a technology platform or health care provider?
Breakthrough is a technology platform, not a health care provider or covered entity. Breakthrough does not contract with or employ any providers to offer counseling and does not itself provide any health care services.
Can providers prescribe medication remotely?
In many states, prescription-writing providers may prescribe medications via telemedicine when compliant with state, federal, and medical licensing board regulations.
Breakthrough strongly recommends that providers only prescribe medications after seeing a patient in-person and maintaining a doctor-patient relationship. Please contact your state licensing board to learn about your state's online prescription guidelines.
Will I need additional malpractice insurance for my online practice?
We recommend that you contact your insurance company to learn whether your online practice is covered. We are currently working with liability insurance plans that can offer you supplemental coverage for online practice.
Why can't clients schedule an appointment with counselors who are not licensed in their state?
Breakthrough strives to maintain compliance with all state, federal, and medical licensing board regulations of mental health professionals. While these regulations are not always detailed on how mental health services should be delivered via electronic mediums, all states allow online practice when providers are licensed in the client's state and practicing within common ethical and legal guidelines. Breakthrough will continue to iterate its policies as regulations evolve for these new mediums.
Does Breakthrough work with clients and providers outside of the United States?
At this time, we only service clients and providers in the United States. If you are an international provider and are interested in collaborating with us in some other way, please contact us at support@breakthrough.com.
I have additional questions. How can I reach you?
You may email us at support@breakthrough.com or call us Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm PST, at (510) 854-6403. We hope to hear from you!