Whether it’s due to time constraints or a global pandemic, consistently attending therapy appointments simply isn’t possible for everyone. Thanks to the surging popularity of telehealth, though, this scenario is changing for the better. The statistics say it loud and clear: more and more people these days are using telehealth. In fact, telehealth is now being used 38 times more than it was before the pandemic. While most people say that they would use telehealth services for common illnesses or follow-up appointments, one 2021 survey revealed that 49% of people would use telehealth for talk therapy.

With more demand than ever for accessibility to virtual healthcare, the question becomes: which therapy practice management software works best? There are hundreds of options, but not all of them are necessarily the right choice. One priority should obviously be HIPAA compliance, but there are other needs as well, such as communication and data capabilities. Usability is also a factor in the options listed below; neither therapists nor patients want to waste time navigating a convoluted platform.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five of the top telehealth platforms.

TheraPlatform

While many video conferencing platforms have branched out to include telehealth, TheraPlatform started out with telehealth therapy in mind and has since expanded its practice management system. They offer e-claim submission forms, automated billing, interactive apps, reports, and much more. All plans include unlimited clients, waiting rooms, online appointment bookings, and a client portal; they’re also all HIPAA-compliant. The Pro and Pro Plus plans come with additional features like a resource library, an interactive whiteboard, and session recording.

Highlights:

• HIPAA compliance is ensured with encrypted video calls, a secure website connection, round-the-clock server monitoring, and database backups
• A full-featured client portal is included, where patients can schedule appointments, fill out forms, and review invoices
• Therapists have the option to track patient outcomes and keep therapy notes
• The scheduling system accounts for differences in time zones and includes appointment reminders
• Auto-invoicing and auto-charging for credit cards on file simplifies the billing process

Pricing:

• Basic plan – $39/month
• Pro plan – $49/month
• Pro Plus plan – $59/month

Doxy.me

Another popular telehealth platform, Doxy.me is a HIPAA-compliant video conferencing tool that comes with a variety of features. It can even be customized to include the healthcare provider’s logo or brand name, which gives the interface a more polished look. One of its more unique offerings is an online store for telehealth providers, which carries equipment for video calls (such as microphones and laptops), as well as other telemedicine equipment like blood pressure monitors.

Highlights:

• There are waiting rooms with patient queues, virtual check-ins, and the option to customize the reading materials, images, or videos
• Appointment management within the app improves flexibility; this enables providers to quickly reschedule if one of their patients can’t make their appointment
• The mobile-friendly user experience doesn’t require downloads or plugins

Pricing:

• Limited services – free
• For individual professionals – $35/month
• For clinics – $50/month (per user)

VSee

In addition to the standard HIPAA-compliant video calls for telehealth appointments, VSee makes it easy for providers and patients to stay in touch between scheduled appointments. Virtual waiting rooms are branded spaces that display updated wait times, as well as educational videos; patients can even access the live chat feature from the waiting rooms.

Highlights:

• Telehealth providers can establish wellness goals, and patients can participate in progress monitoring through connected devices such as blood pressure monitors, wireless scales, and Fitbits
• Patients are able to keep providers up to date with photographs, mood charts, and food diaries
• Providers have the ability to collect patient intake forms and payments through integrated features
• VSee is optimized for use in areas with low-quality internet service, so clients in rural or overseas locations find it easy to access

Pricing:

• Free Forever plan – free
• Basic plan – $49/month
• Enterprise plan – pricing available upon inquiry

Zoom for Healthcare

Zoom has become a household name over the past couple of years, but it’s good for more than just virtual work meetings; Zoom for Healthcare is a HIPAA-compliant platform that enables healthcare providers to connect with their patients via video call. Unlike similar platforms, though, Zoom for Healthcare doesn’t include tools for documentation, scheduling, or billing. However, they do offer advanced integration with electronic health records and medical devices.

Highlights:

• Since the platform is highly popular, many patients will already be familiar and comfortable with it
• Includes desktop recording and screen sharing, so providers can revisit patient sessions if needed, and easily share information during appointments
• File-sharing within the app makes the process more efficient
• Patient waiting rooms reduce missed virtual appointments

Pricing:

• For less than 10 providers – $14.99/month
• For 10 providers and up – starting at $19.99/month

GoToMeeting

A bit like Zoom, GoToMeeting is primarily used for work or personal video calls, rather than telehealth. However, all three of their pricing plans are HIPAA-compliant, with secure encryption at every point in the process. It can be used for one-to-one appointments, but is also able to accommodate up to 150 people in one conference call – and that’s just for the basic plan. Even though GoToMeeting isn’t specifically adapted for telehealth, it still has many of the necessary features for virtual healthcare. However, providers who want management tools like appointment scheduling, billing, or device integration will have to use separate software.

Highlights:

• The platform offers features like note-taking and screen sharing for easier information exchange between providers and patients
• There’s no time limit for meetings, so appointments won’t get dropped because of an automatic setting
• Chat messaging helps providers stay up-to-date on their patients’ progress

Pricing:

• Professional plan – $12/month
• Business plan – $16/month
• Enterprise plan – pricing available upon inquiry

What do you look for in therapy practice management software?

Telehealth technology has rapidly evolved over the past few years, and it’ll continue to evolve to fulfill demand. These platforms represent a variety of features and pricing plans, but there’s one thing they have in common – the ability to meet the needs of both healthcare providers and patients.