Section 416-18-4 - Informed Consent1. At the outset of providing services by telehealth, the social worker shall obtain informed consent from the client, or other appropriate person with authority to make health care decisions for the client. Social workers shall assess clients' ability to provide informed consent.2. At a minimum, the informed consent shall inform the client of: A. The benefits and risks of using telehealth in the provision of social work services. Examples of potential benefits include, but are not limited to, immediate access to services, convenient scheduling, privacy, and reduced or eliminated transportation barriers. Examples of potential risks include, but are not limited to, the lack of visual and auditory cues, delayed responses, the need for crisis services, confidentiality breaches, and technological failures.B. The potential risks to confidentiality of information due to the use of telehealth, such as the risks of entering private information when using a public access computer, or one that is on a shared network, and caution against using auto-fill usernames and passwords. C. The needs associated with the delivery of services via telehealth technology, for example having access to a computer or smartphone with the correct capabilities or internet access.D. The risk of the sudden and unpredictable failure of technology and alternative means of contacting the client if technology fails during a session with the client, and provide to the client alternative means of contacting the social worker.E. The local crisis telephone number and/or the local emergency mental health telephone number.F. Receiving services via telehealth may affect billing and access to insurance benefits.3. The social worker will obtain written permission of the client prior to recording any part of the telehealth session and will disclose how the social worker will store and dispose of the recording file(s). If a recording is made a part of the clinical record, social workers shall retain and dispose of in accordance with Chapter 17 of board rules. 4. Clients should be given sufficient opportunity to ask questions and receive answers about telehealth services, and social workers shall revisit relevant informed consent issues as needed during the course of the client relationship.5. Social workers shall maintain a record of the efforts to provide the information in this section.02-416 C.M.R. ch. 18, § 4