Televisits

Update (3/24/2020)

COVID-19 is unprecedented and affecting the way we all live and do business in many ways.  Our office is still open, and we are still seeing patients in person.

DO NOT GO to the ER or Urgent Care for a rash or skin issue, now, more than ever is the time for dermatologists to be your g0-to for all things skin, hair, and nails.  If you need to be seen in the office, we can accommodate that. However, if you need to be seen for a follow-up or certain types of first-time appointments, we can also see patients via televisit.  Scheduling a televisit reduces the number of people that come through our office and helps us our national goal of social distancing. And yes, it saves us from using more toilet paper here at the office. Please see below, I blog post I wrote this fall, for how to schedule and navigate a televisit.  Please give us a call if you need assistance. Stay healthy!

As school resumes this week, we face a set of perennial problems.

• Students and working adults need/want appointments outside of school hours.
• We have very limited appointments during those hours because of our own family obligations.
• Skin problems are very important for kids who already face a lot of issues with social media.
• Parents have trouble getting off work to bring students to appointments.
• Students don’t want to miss school because of attendance policies.

To help accommodate these challenges, we will now offer televisits! Using televisits, we hope to be able to provide a convenient service to families as well as working adults who are facing the challenges above.

What is a televisit?  A televisit is a visit conducted using a secure phone/tablet app in a facetime like environment.

What kind of problems can be addressed at televisits? Initially we will conduct televisits for acne and rosacea and other follow-ups only.  Patients will be asked to have in an initial consultation in office for all new problems.

Why should I choose a televisit?  Choosing a televisit is a matter of convenience.  The visit can be conducted from any location without the need to come to the doctor’s office.  This allows the patient to save travel time and avoid time lost by taking off from work or school.  We have contacted local school officials to obtain permission for televisits during school hours.

Will insurance pay for these visits?  Most often, no.  The cost is $75 for a 15 minute televisit, prepaid at the time of scheduling.  Patients could contact their own insurance company regarding coverage or Health Savings Account usage to be reimbursed.

Is it safe and secure?  Yes, the app is powered and linked to your electronic medical record in our office, eclinicalworks.

How exactly does it work?

• Contact the office and ask to schedule a televisit.
• Download the televisit consent form on our site and return it to the office.
• Download the Healow app from the app store and use our office code FGJAAA
• Log in and set your own 4 digit code for future use.
• Your appointment will appear on the app.
• Log in 10 minutes prior to your appointment to check your connection
• Once logged in, answer the questionnaire about your condition.
• The doctor will join you in your visit at your scheduled time.
• You will have a similar visit as in the office only by facetime.

How much does it cost?  The cost is $75 for a 15 minute appointment.  To see if your insurance company covers this type of visit, please contact them and ask.  It does appear that Medicare will cover these visits at this time.  For all other insurers, the $75 fee will need to be prepaid.  A receipt can be provided for potential reimbursement or HSA usage on the patient’s responsibility.