This article provides you with common scenarios you may encounter if you decide to travel. Therapists who contract with Rula are bound by their licenses to only treat patients who are physically located in the state(s) with which they hold their license. Please discuss this with your therapist before any travel and see below for more information.
Overview
If a patient is traveling, it is important when engaging in interstate therapy practice that therapists comply with all relevant laws and regulations in both the therapist's own state and where the client is located; this includes Telehealth. Please see below for answers to common scenarios you may encounter.
Scenario 1
- Scenario: A patient is out of the state in which they registered with Rula, and the therapist is not.
- Answer: The therapist needs to be licensed where the patient is located or they cannot practice.
Scenario 2
- Scenario: A patient is traveling out-of-state temporarily.
- Answer: Continuing to see their therapist is allowable for temporary situations of less than 30 days. Please discuss this with your therapist prior to any travel.
Scenario 3
- Scenario: A therapist is outside of the state they usually practice/perform visits with a patient, and the patient is not.
- Answer: The therapist should look up the requirements of the state they are in. If the client is in-state and the therapist is out-of-state, this depends on local state regulations. States require therapists to apply for temporary licenses in their states. Please discuss this situation with your therapist.
Scenario 4
- Scenario: A patient is moving to a new state and needs to find a new therapist.
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Answer:
- The patient should log into the Rula patient portal and update their address to their new residence. For instructions on how to update your address in the Rula patient portal, click here.
- Then, the patient should find a new therapist and replace their existing therapist in the Rula patient portal. For instructions on how to replace your therapist in the Rula patient portal, click here.
Additional Resources
- View, reschedule, and cancel your appointments - Detailed instructions on how you can use Rula patient portal to view, reschedule, and cancel upcoming appointments
- Cancellation and “no show” policy - Information regarding no-show policy
- Finding a new therapist - Detailed instructions on how you can replace your current therapist with a new therapist
- Contacting your therapist - Provides information on how and when to set communication preferences and expectations with your therapist