In the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, physical therapists have had to rethink the way they meet their patients’ needs. Remaining as safe as possible during the COVID-19 crisis means practicing social distancing, and medical professionals are adapting to this new requirement in a variety of ways. One of these ways is via telehealth. And while telehealth has been practiced for years, it is now emerging as a highly effective way for providers to continue serving patients while reducing the risk of spreading infection. 

Defining Telehealth

AARP defines telehealth as the use of technology to deliver health care from a distance. This technology can be anything from a landline telephone to video-conferencing, and it’s being used by providers of all specialties from primary care physicians and nurse practitioners to mental health providers and physical therapists.

Since the pandemic began, reliance on telehealth services in the U.S. has skyrocketed, with settings such as the Cleveland Clinic reporting demand for virtual visits increased by more than 1,000 percent. The increased demand isn’t surprising, as telehealth has a number of benefits.

Benefits of Telehealth

1. Social Distancing. Because telehealth doesn’t require you to leave your home, it allows for greater compliance with social-distancing guidelines, thereby reducing the risk of contracting and/or spreading the virus.
2. Accessibility. Virtual appointments eliminate the need for travel and waiting rooms, saving time for both patients and providers.
3. Health Improvement. Telehealth allows some individuals with chronic conditions to have their health monitored from home, and some studies have reported that telehealth patients with some chronic conditions have experienced noticeable health outcome improvements compared to patients receiving usual care.
4. Success Rates. When it comes to physical therapy, patients who participate in telehealth find that the home exercise program their therapists have provided for them is more meaningful since they are performed in their own homes using their own space and furniture, and therefore, they don’t have to worry about not having a proper setup. 

Telehealth and AUMPT 

AUMPT uses DOXY.me, a reputable HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, to provide telehealth for those who do not want to or are unable to make it to in-person appointments. 

Doxy.me is simple and convenient to use and utilizes state-of-the-art security and encryption protocols for secure data transmission and patient privacy, ensuring that your private information is secure at all times. It also adheres to HIPAA, PIPEDA, and GDPR data privacy requirements and is used by a variety of medical professionals to care for their patients. As an added benefit, using this platform doesn’t require specialized equipment, and you don’t need to download software or create an account – simply use a browser on your smartphone or computer or tablet equipped with a camera and microphone. 

What to Expect During an A.U.M. Physical Therapy Telehealth Session

To interact with your PT on the day of your appointment, join your telehealth session by clicking the Doxy.me link your physical therapist provided prior to the session. (Tip: You might find using a laptop or desktop computer more convenient, as it will provide a wider view of your physical therapist during the session.) Once you’re checked in, your physical therapist will start the video call and your virtual face-to-face appointment will begin.

You can rest assured that your connection will be private and secure. All data is encrypted, your sessions are not recorded, and no information is stored in Doxy.

Cost of Telehealth Sessions

Your telehealth session will cost the same as an in-office visit on a traditional Medicare plan. For in-office visits, the supplemental plan will reimburse when the traditional Medicare plan pays and according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, there has been no change in reimbursement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Telehealth can be a safe and effective way for patients to continue receiving the care and treatment they need while reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. If you would like to request an in-office consultation, AUMPT is operating under social distancing guidelines and will have only one patient in the office at a time while maintaining six feet or more distance between the PT and the patient.

To arrange a telehealth or in-office visit with Vrinda Hatti at A.U.M. Physical Therapy, please contact us today!