COVID-19 & Telehealth
TeleHealth & COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus.
HOW IT SPREADS
Unprecedented Health Crisis
At Associates in Medicine & Surgery we are doing everything we can to protect ourselves and the community from this global pandemic. We have implemented additional health, safety, and technology protocols that are enabling us to continue to serve the communities needs both for internal medicine and podiatry. We have continued to see our acute and infectious cases in office with the addition of additional screening methods to help protect our providers, staff, and patients to help slow the growth rate of this virus. WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. CALL NOW to find out how. 239-481-7000
Telehealth Guidelines Have Changed
In response to calls for flexibility and broadening access to telemedicine services during the COVID-19 public health emergency, certain federal privacy regulations have been relaxed and payment policies expanded as a result of actions taken by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
TeleHealth Featured updates: COVID-19
The AMA quick guide to telemedicine in practice has been developed to help physicians swiftly ramp up their telemedicine capabilities. In addition to informing physicians on the recent actions taken by the OCR and CMS, the guide gives instruction on getting started; policy, coding and payment; practice implementation; and links to other helpful resources.
A CMS Fact Sheet explains how expanded Medicare coverage for telehealth enables beneficiaries to receive a wider range of health care services from their physicians without having to visit a health care facility.
The Fact Sheet notes that this expansion is being done under a “temporary and emergency basis” and under the president’s 1135 waiver authority and the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Previously, Medicare telehealth coverage was limited. Now, however, it will cover office visits via telehealth where services are provided by physicians and a range of other providers including nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists and licensed clinical social workers.
Consult a provider via TeleHealth (Podiatry or Internal Medicine)
- Reach out to provider.
- Communicate with your providers office as either a New Patient or Current Patient
- Office will schedule a TeleHealth visit with you (acute or emergent cases are screened via Telemedicine and then still seen in office if needed)
- Establish a Zoom Account (Free)
- Provider will send an invite to connect with you at scheduled time via Video.
- Covered by most major insurances. (Fee comparable to CMS guidelines for non insured patients)
Looking for a podiatrist during this outbreak?
Look no further! as Dr. Pusateri states below, we are here and ready to serve the community! Call 239-481-7000
