With the escalating spread of COVID-19, more are engaging in self-quarantine and alleviate in-person encounters. With the need to protect yourself and staff, and the fewer patients who want to leave home, your practice can survive on telehealth and telemedicine. Due to computer-savvy patients and technological advances, many have sought health care services online for years. With the on-going pandemic situation, more attention is being given to telehealth creating new demand. Although health care providers find telemedicine theoretically attractive, they are concerned about offering requisite care without in-person interaction. You should discuss all the legal issues before starting telehealth in Florida with the healthcare lawyer. Maintaining Ethical Standards While Telehealth Undoubtedly, it is challenging to maintain ethical standards while practicing telehealth in the face of testing times. You need to maintain your health care standards during patient interactions. By interacting with patients through telehealth, you are implying that is an equal and appropriate alternate option to in-person visits. If that’s not the scene, then you must refer the patient for lab tests, in-patient care, or shifting to an emergency room. In case you get negative outcomes as a result of below standard telehealth care, it means you might deal with malpractice claims and lawsuits. Therefore, you need to be sincere and honest about the telemedicine limitations with yourself and your patients. Payment for Telehealth Practice Though telemedicine is favorable for patients, obstacles are there for healthcare professionals who are new to this practice. Telehealth adds extra costs which you may not have planned. The private, as well as public sectors, have looked after this issue in the telehealth area. The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriation Act allow HHS to waive off few of the restriction surrounding the telehealth for the beneficiaries. Services Offered during Telehealth A telehealth provider can offer the following healthcare services, which include:
Healthcare Providers in Florida Various state-licensed healthcare professionals can provide telehealth services in Florida, including Physician, Dentist, Psychotherapist, Optometrist, Psychologist, Pharmacist, Acupuncturist, Dietician, Chiropractor, Podiatrist, and Nurse practitioner among many others. Moreover, professionals without a medical license can also practice telehealth in Florida under two conditions:
Insurance coverage for Telehealth Before beginning the healthcare via telehealth, ensure that your insurance contracts allow the same. You risk losing reimbursement if they don’t. Insurance coverage is not among the many benefits provided to Florida-based telehealth providers. The healthcare plans do not cover services offered online. The provider and the payer need to come to a mutual agreement on the methods of payment and the rates. The reimbursements can vary greatly from the same services provided in person. The Sunshine State is without payment and coverage parity laws. More than ten states require payment parity while more than thirty-six states mandate coverage parity. Be mindful of the fact that the insurance contracts render restrictions upon the type of care you are providing and the technology you are using. It can vary with the profession, practice, and geographic area. Therefore, don’t assume that if everybody is doing it you should too. Conclusion The spread of COVID-19 is pushing medical professionals to adopt telehealth. As this thing is tricky and you may end up with financial loss and lawsuits, you need guidance for practicing telehealth in Florida from a healthcare lawyer who is experienced and well versed with the law.
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December 2020
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