Integrated vs. Standalone Telehealth for Your EHR
Telehealth is now a standard part of behavioral health care. Patients expect the ability to connect virtually, and providers need tools that are reliable, secure, and easy to use. The options for telehealth platforms, however, can seem confusingly vast. Which software company is right for your practice? What are the different types of integrated vs. standalone telehealth software for EHRs, and what features do they offer? Patients now have more experience than ever with video calling services, and higher expectations as a result.
Telehealth solutions may be integrated with your EHR or may be standalone services, and which you choose will likely come down to functionality, security concerns, and cost. Here’s an overview of the four types of telehealth solutions and what they each offer.
Natively Embedded Telehealth
Many EHR providers have responded to the demand for telehealth by building their own telehealth platforms directly into their systems. This provides the most seamless experience for patients and providers, making it an attractive option.
With EHR-embedded telehealth, providers can access patient data while in the virtual meeting and work with their own clinical notes without constantly jumping between software systems. Scheduling and billing for these appointments become straightforward, errors are reduced, and patients enjoy accessing their entire behavioral health care through one secure portal—no extra apps or logins to manage.
Integrated platforms also go beyond the video call. A virtual waiting room ensures that patients have a professional, organized check-in process, just like at an in-person visit. Providers can see who has arrived, manage schedules with fewer disruptions, and prevent confusion over links or multiple “rooms.” For programs like IOP and PHP, where group sessions and staggered schedules are common, this feature keeps patient flow smooth and predictable.
Another important advancement is guardian and guarantor access. In the past, families often had to share patient credentials to help manage care or billing—a practice that creates compliance risks and unnecessary frustration. Integrated telehealth eliminates that problem by offering role-based logins. Guardians can view appointments and care information appropriate to their role, while guarantors have access to billing and insurance details without seeing sensitive health records. The result is a system that improves privacy, streamlines family involvement, and reduces the support burden for your staff.
Before you choose an EHR with built-in telehealth, make sure it has all the features you need for online sessions. Ask questions like:
- Can providers schedule telehealth calls into the EHR calendar as easily as in-person appointments?
- What clinical note-taking or other documentation features can providers access during the call?
- Is the video call high-quality and reliable?
- Is the interface user-friendly for patients of all ages?
- Will users have to download extra software to join?
- Does it include features like waiting rooms and role-based access for guardians/guarantors?
The cost of natively embedded telehealth depends on the specific EHR chosen, as well as the value to your practice of smooth and reliable telehealth technology. For practices that frequently utilize this type of care, an investment in integrated processes may pay for itself in the long run.
One-Directional Integration
Budget-conscious providers whose EHR doesn’t offer telehealth may turn to separate telehealth platforms that can integrate with existing EHRs. Platforms offering one-directional integration are often the least expensive, although costs vary by vendor.
The tradeoff is time and security. One-directional integration typically flows from EHR to telehealth service, meaning your video chat software cannot send information back to the EHR. Therapists may need to download notes or documents from the telehealth platform to upload into the EHR afterward, creating unnecessary burden and possible security risks.
If budget constraints push you toward this option, be sure to train providers thoroughly on the risks of moving data between systems.
Bi-Directional Integration
Some providers choose telehealth platforms with bi-directional integration, which allows information to flow between the telehealth feature and the EHR.
This reduces security risks and minimizes documentation errors, while making scheduling and billing easier to manage. However, patients will still need to navigate a separate software program in addition to the EHR. The experience is smoother than one-directional integration but not as seamless as a natively embedded option.
Bi-directional integration usually costs more both for setup and on an ongoing basis, with usage-based pricing models common. It appeals most to providers who want strong integration but aren’t ready to transition to a new EHR.
Third-Party Software with No Integration
Some practices use completely standalone telehealth solutions with no EHR integration. These platforms are often inexpensive—or even free—and may look appealing at first glance.
The drawbacks are significant. Providers must manage scheduling, documentation, and billing separately. Security risks are higher because information may be moved manually from the telehealth system into the EHR. Patients often find the experience confusing, with multiple apps and logins required.
If you choose this option, make sure to activate every security setting the software offers, including multi-factor authentication for patient access.
Shopping for Security
Security must be a top priority when evaluating telehealth platforms. A recent report from SecurityScorecard and DarkOwl found that telehealth providers have experienced a sharp increase in targeted attacks as usage has grown. Common vulnerabilities include malware infections, weak web-based apps, and poor endpoint security.
When shopping for a telehealth solution, ask:
- Does this company install security patches regularly?
- How secure is the web-based application that patients will use?
- Does this service offer end-to-end encryption?
- Is the software HIPAA-compliant?
- Is the system HITRUST certified?
- Does it support multi-factor authentication?
- How easy is it to log and review all activity on the system?
Strong security practices inside your own organization are also essential, including staff training and clear telehealth usage policies.
Valant Software Makes It Easy
Valant’s natively embedded telehealth is designed to bring all of these pieces together—high-quality video calls, seamless scheduling and billing, audit-ready notes, and security features that protect patient data at every step. Our virtual waiting room keeps sessions organized and professional, while guardian and guarantor access ensures families can stay involved in care and billing without compromising privacy.
By embedding telehealth directly into the EHR, Valant makes it possible to manage care, documentation, and compliance in one secure environment. The result is a smoother experience for providers, patients, and families alike.
Contact a Valant representative today to learn how we can make your telehealth services simple, secure, and patient-centered.
