Telehealth and Practice Policy Disclosure

Annalise Baumgardt, LCSW
Effective Date 10/03/2026

About My Practice

I am Annalise Baumgardt, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in solo private practice, and I provide all of my services through telehealth. I do not offer in-person sessions. Telehealth means we meet by secure, live video (or by phone when video is not possible) rather than in an office.

This disclosure explains how telehealth works in my practice, what it requires of both of us, and the policies that guide our work together. Please read it carefully and ask me about anything that is unclear. It works alongside my Informed Consent, Notice of Privacy Practices, Website Privacy Policy, and Website Terms & Conditions.

Telehealth Platforms I Use

I conduct sessions through secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms designed for healthcare. Which one we use depends on how you are scheduled and how you pay for services:

  • Headway: for clients using insurance through my Headway network participation. Headway also handles scheduling, billing, and claims.

  • Alma: for clients using insurance through my Alma network participation. Alma also handles scheduling, billing, and claims.

  • Doxy.me: for private-pay clients and as a backup if another platform is unavailable.

I will tell you which platform to use and send you a link before our first session. You will not need to pay for any of these platforms. Each platform has its own terms of use and privacy policy, which I encourage you to review. I do not use consumer video apps such as FaceTime or standard Zoom for sessions.

Licensure and Your Location

I hold active LCSW licenses in New York 098014, Massachusetts LICSW1121601, and telehealth provider registration in Florida TPSW7355. Licensing laws require that you be physically located in one of these three states at the time of each session. This applies even if you live in one of these states and are temporarily traveling elsewhere.

At the start of each session, I will confirm your current location. If you will be outside New York, Massachusetts, or Florida, please tell me in advance so we can reschedule or plan for continuity of care. If you are outside these states at session time, we will need to reschedule.

Florida clients: Florida regulates telehealth under Section 456.47, Florida Statutes. You can learn more about telehealth in Florida and verify provider licenses through the Florida Department of Health's telehealth portal: https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/.

You can also verify my licenses through the New York Office of the Professions and the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-social-workers.

Benefits, Risks, and Limits of Telehealth

Telehealth offers real benefits: no commute, greater scheduling flexibility, access to care from home, and continuity when you travel within the states where I am licensed. Research shows that telehealth therapy is effective for many concerns.

Telehealth also has risks and limits. Technology can fail, and video may lose some nonverbal cues we would notice in person. Despite strong security measures, no electronic transmission is completely secure. Telehealth may not be appropriate for everyone, such as someone who needs a higher level of care or frequent crisis support. If I believe telehealth is not meeting your needs, I will discuss it with you and help you find appropriate in-person or higher-level services.

What You Will Need

  • A reliable internet connection and a device with a camera, microphone, and speaker (computer, tablet, or smartphone)

  • A private space where others cannot see or hear you, such as a closed room; headphones are helpful

  • A secure, password-protected device and network, rather than public Wi-Fi or a shared computer when possible

  • Your full attention for the session; please do not drive or do other activities during sessions

I will conduct every session from a private, secure location where our conversation cannot be overheard. Please let me know at the start of a session if anyone else is in the room with you.

Emergencies and Safety Planning

Because we are not in the same room, we need a plan in case of an emergency during a session. Before we begin, I will ask you for:

  • The physical address where you will be during sessions, which I will confirm each time

  • An emergency contact person I may reach if I believe you are in danger

  • The nearest emergency room or crisis center to your location

If I believe you or someone else is at imminent risk during a session, I may contact your emergency contact, local emergency services, or both.

I am not available for crisis support between sessions. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.

If Technology Fails

If our video connection drops, please try to reconnect through the same link. If we cannot reconnect within 5 minutes, I will call you at the phone number on file to continue the session or reschedule. Sessions interrupted by my technology problems will not be charged as a missed session.

Scheduling and Cancellations

Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Please log in a few minutes early so we can start on time. If you are late, we will still end at the scheduled time.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give me at least 24 hours' notice. Cancellations with less notice, and missed sessions, may be charged a fee of $100. Insurance does not pay for missed sessions, so this fee is your responsibility. I understand that emergencies and illness happen, and I will consider them case by case.

Fees and Insurance

Insurance clients (Headway or Alma): Your insurance plan determines your cost, such as a copay, coinsurance, or deductible. Headway or Alma will bill your insurance and charge you directly for your portion through their platform. Please check your benefits for telehealth mental health coverage before we begin.

Private-pay clients: My fee is $200 per 50-minute session, payable at the time of service. I can provide a superbill you may submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Good Faith Estimate: Under the federal No Surprises Act, if you are not using insurance, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of your care. You can ask me for one at any time. For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Communication Between Sessions

Please use the secure messaging feature on your platform, phone, or email, for scheduling and brief administrative questions. I typically respond within 1-2 business days. I do not provide therapy by text or email, and I do not connect with clients on social media, to protect your confidentiality.

No Recording

Neither of us will record any session, by audio, video, or screenshot, without the other's written consent. I do not record sessions.

Records and Confidentiality

I keep clinical records as required by law and by the laws of the state where you receive services. Your information is protected under HIPAA and state law, as described in my Notice of Privacy Practices. Headway, Alma, and Doxy.me may store limited information, such as scheduling and billing data, under their own HIPAA safeguards.

What you share with me is confidential, with limited exceptions required or permitted by law. These include when I believe you are at imminent risk of harming yourself or someone else, when I suspect abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult, or when a court orders me to release information. When possible, I will discuss any such disclosure with you first.

Ending Services

You may end therapy or withdraw your consent to telehealth at any time. I encourage a closing session so we can review your progress and plan next steps. If I believe you need services I cannot provide through telehealth, I will discuss it with you and offer referrals. If we have not met and I have not heard from you in 30 days, I may consider our work complete and will let you know in writing.

Questions

If you have questions about this disclosure or any of my policies, please ask me at any time. You can reach me at 917-408-3293 info@annalisebaumgardtlcsw.com