Become an Optum Telemental Health Provider
(ONLY complete an attestion if you are a contracted provider with Optum)
Prior to delivering Telemental Health services, each provider is required to electronically sign a Telemental Health attestation.
Individually-credentialed providers may click on the appropriate link above to complete attestation, and electronically sign and submit the appropriate attestation to Optum Behavioral Network Services for validation.
Once validation is confirmed you may begin delivering Telemental Health services.
- Nomenclature List
- FAQs
- Checklist Protocol: Originating Site, Distant Site, Telemental Health Provider
- Recommended Protocol for Delivering Telemental Health Services
- Provider Best Practices
- Verification Process: What TMH Services are Covered Per Members’ Benefit Plan
- Requirements for Billing Telemental Health
- Technology Requirements
American Telemedicine Association (ATA) Guidelines
Optum and ATA are collaborating together to provide you with easy access to their guidelines for delivering Telemental Health service.
- Practice Guidelines for Video-Based Online Mental Health Services (published 2013)
- A Lexicon Assessment and Outcome Measurements for Telemental Health (published 2013)
- Practice Guidelines for Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health (published 2009)
- Evidence-Based Practice for Telemental Health (published 2009)
While training is not required, it is highly recommended.
What to know when offering Telemental Health Services
Telemental Health has been shown to successfully impact issues of access, quality, engagement, coordination of care, and cost effectiveness. Along with other aspects of telemedicine, Telemental Health is predicted to grow rapidly over the next few years with more customers and health care consumers requesting the technology. To ensure best practices, major clinical associations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and American Telemedicine Association (ATA) have developed and released best practices and guidelines.
Telemental Health can be delivered in a variety of settings and can include both initial evaluations and ongoing treatment, as well as psychotherapies and medication management. Patient acuity can range from routine to emergent.
In general there are no current clinical contraindications to the delivery of Telemental Health. Choosing what cases are appropriate for Telemental Health versus traditional face-to-face treatment is ultimately at the discretion of the referring and/or treating clinician. Each provider must determine what services can be safely and effectively delivered based on the unique clinical needs of the individual patient and patient location when services are delivered. If, at any time, the provider determines that an individual receiving Telemental Health care is at potential risk due to the delivery model, referral and treatment in the traditional setting must be secured.