Change is never easy to implement and telehealth
is no exception.
“Quick and dirty” or “Fast and Furious” …
choose your poison.
We’ve all heard decision makers use these
aggressive terms to describe their expectations for implementing new technology,
new systems or new procedures. In the real world, aggressive and often
unrealistic deadlines are recipes for disaster.
COVID-19 has no mercy; it has declared
war on humankind and to defeat this enemy we must take quick action to save
lives.
So how can a small practice take the bull by the horn and implement Telehealth?
Need help getting started with Telehealth and how to get paid for those new services?
Key links, guides, resources and more in this blog.
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We’re all in this boat together and learning
as we go is the new norm. Dismantling government regulations was imperative in
order to kick Telehealth in high gear as the saving grace tool for all our
communities in this pandemonium.
Seems like every day we learn more and
more about the behavior of Coronavirus and healthcare professionals adjust
accordingly especially using Telehealth.
There are several solutions out there
offering free basic versions. Although it may do the “basic” functions, remember
payers pass your claims thru rigorous checks before they approve payment.
“Free software is never free”!!!
If the Free “basic version” does not cut the
mustard, you may have to upgrade after all and that adds frustration to you and
your practice and possibilities of denied claims.
Today, most EHRs offer a telehealth
module, either already included as part of your subscription or you must pay
extra in order to activate it.
If your practice is still on paper or
simply not using the EHR to its full extent, then a standalone may meet your
needs, or you may consider a short-term to a long-term approach.
Providers need to take care of patients and use Telehealth as the tool for patient safety. Take action now and follow the carpenter’s rule “measure twice and cut once”. Hiring outside expertise can help your practice do it right from the get-go.
The following are some of the key points
to consider during your implementation of Telehealth services and some links to
help you along the way.
- Notifying patients about your new Telehealth services
- Training for both providers and staff
- Revise scheduling process
- Triage procedures
- Understand CMS and private payer’s telehealth policies
- Billing requirements
- Work from home policies for both provider and staff.
- Infrastructure
- Camera, quality, sound … the better the technology,
the better the experience for the patient. Services can be broadened.
- Internet broadband
- Wi-Fi
- Acoustics of the room for hands free conversations
- Security concerns
- Camera, quality, sound … the better the technology,
- Clinical and Admin Policies and procedures
- Disaster Plan
CMS regulatory changes to further promote Telehealth
Coronavirus Waivers
from CMS
Subsequent blogs will be on Telehealth in order to provide more resources for you and your staff as we navigate this new normal together.
Stay tuned for types of telehealth visits, CPT codes, modifiers and more!