Use this article to find answers to common questions about Alma Telehealth, including data privacy and HIPAA compliance, supported browsers and devices, and how to access in-session features like chat, screen share, background filters, layout options, closed captions, and audio/video settings.
Data Privacy
Is Alma Telehealth HIPAA-compliant?
Yes, Alma Telehealth is HIPAA-compliant and data encrypted as is all of Alma's platform.
Are my sessions with Alma Telehealth recorded or stored?
No, sessions conducted on Alma Telehealth are not recorded or stored.
What data is tracked through Alma Telehealth?
Alma collects de-identified data about how providers and clients use our telehealth platform so that we can continue to improve our products and services, support members, and debug issues. Alma Telehealth sessions are not recorded or stored, and our entire platform is secure, encrypted, and HIPAA-compliant. For additional questions about Alma's data privacy and security practices, please refer to our privacy policy.
Using Alma Telehealth
What browsers are Alma Telehealth supported on?
We recommend joining Alma Telehealth on Chrome to have the best experience and access all of the available features. Alma Telehealth is also compatible with Safari, Edge and Firefox, but if you use these other browsers some features will not be available.
Can I use Alma Telehealth on my phone or tablet?
We recommend joining Alma Telehealth on a desktop device for the best experience and access to all features. However, Alma Telehealth can be used from a phone or tablet, but some features may not be available.
Why am I seeing reactions on the screen during our sessions?
When you make certain hand motions (e.g., a thumbs up), it may show an on-screen emoji or background. This is typically an Apple-specific camera setting and is not within the control of Alma Telehealth or any other video platform you use.
To turn this feature on or off:
- During a call, click the green video icon in the top right corner of your screen.
- Select Reactions from the dropdown menu.
- Toggle off: If the green bubble icon is unlit, reactions are disabled.
How to Use Alma Telehealth Features
Chat
This feature enables in-session async conversation and link sharing. Using the chat feature can help when you need to share notes, resources, or links during a session. Chat can also help communicate in noisy environments when hearing one another may be difficult, or when a video session participant may have a hearing impairment.
To Access Chat:
- Click the speech bubble icon at the bottom of the video session.
- A modal will pop up on the right side of your screen and you can securely chat during the video session.
Layout Options
Participants have a choice of two different layouts to arrange their telehealth session. "Focused" shows yourself in a smaller frame and the person/people you are speaking with in a bigger frame. "Gallery" shows everyone on the call, including yourself, in the same size frame.
To View Layout Options:
- Click Layout in the upper right corner.
- A menu will drop down and you can choose the layout option you would like to use.
- The layout currently in use will have a check mark next to it.
Hiding Self-View
To view only your provider during a telehealth session the way you would during an in-person session, you can hide the view of yourself during your session in Alma Telehealth.
To Hide Self-View:
- Click "Layout" in the upper right corner and select Hide self view.
Background Filters
To eliminate distractions and allow privacy, you can blur your background or apply a virtual background during your session in Alma Telehealth.
To Access Background Filters:
- On the bottom of the video call screen click the 'Video Camera' icon.
- A menu will open, choose Apply background filters at the top of the menu.
- From there, you can choose from various virtual background options or select Blur.
What devices/browsers is it available on?
Blurred and virtual backgrounds are not supported on all browsers. For the best experience, we recommend joining Alma Telehealth from Google Chrome on a desktop device with a strong internet connection. If you don't see this feature in your Alma Telehealth session, you can try upgrading your browser to the latest version, switching to a desktop device, or switching to a Google Chrome browser.
Screen Share
You can share your screen allowing participants to simultaneously view something displayed on one video call participant's screen.
To Share Your Screen:
- On the bottom of the video call screen click the Share Screen icon.
- Choose to share one specific Tab, Window, or your Entire Screen.
- You can toggle on "Also share tab audio" so that participants can hear sound for things like videos while you share your screen.
- This audio sharing feature is only available for Chrome browser users.
What devices/browsers is it available on?
Screen sharing is only available on Desktop. Mobile users can view a screen shared by another participant in the call but they cannot share their own screen if they are on a mobile device. Desktop screen sharing is supported in the following browsers:
- Chrome 58 or above
- Firefox 56 or above
- Edge 80 and above on Windows 10+ platform
- Safari 13 or above
Testing Audio/Video and Selecting Inputs
You have the option to test your audio and video before joining an Alma Telehealth call and choose which microphone or video you would like to use.
Testing A/V:
- In the waiting room, click on the gear icon at the bottom of your video screen to access the Settings menu.
- From there, you can follow the instructions to test your devices to ensure they are working properly.
- You can also test your audio and video during Alma Telehealth sessions by clicking the arrows next to either the microphone or camera icons.
Change Video Input:
- On the bottom of the video call screen, either in the waiting room or in session, click the arrow next to the video camera icon.
- A menu will open, choose the video camera you want to use.
Change Audio Input:
- On the bottom of the video call screen, either in the waiting room or in session, click the arrow next to the microphone icon.
- A menu will open, choose the audio you want to use.
Setting Up Closed Captions
Accessibility for all clients and providers is a top priority for Alma. You can turn on closed captions for sessions through Alma Telehealth in your browser settings.
To Set Up Closed Captions:
Chrome:
- Click the three dots in the top right corner of your screen
- Go to Settings near the bottom of the list
- Choose Accessibility on the left hand side of the page
- Turn on Live Caption with the toggle at the top
Safari:
- Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen
- Go to System Settings
- Choose Accessibility on the left hand side of the pop-up
- Under Hearing select Captions
- Turn on Prefer closed captions and SDH
What devices/browsers is it available on?
Alma Teleleath is available on Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
Can I share feedback to help improve Alma Telehealth in the future?
Yes! We value your feedback and are committed to improving Alma Telehealth to meet your needs. At the end of each telehealth session we have a feedback form that we encourage you to fill out. Our team is consistently looking at the feedback and using it to prioritize our work on improving the product.