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Telemedine, Houston ENT and Allergy, and Luma Health

May 19th, 2020 | 4 min. read

By Chuck Leider

telemedicine and houston ent (1)

Houston ENT and Allergy are committed to ensuring the well-being and safety of our employees, clinicians, and patients always, but particularly because of the recent concern and outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. As such, we have added the safety and convenience of telemedicine to our practice. 

When you have questions concerning your health or are feeling sick or a little bit under the weather, traditionally you'd schedule an in-person visit with your primary care doctor. You might even rush over to the urgent care clinic in after-hour situations. However, with the recent outbreak of COVID-19, for your safety and that of healthcare providers, medical appointments and consultations of all kinds are now being brought online. 

Telemedicine services provide you with an efficient alternative to an in-person office visit for follow-up assessment after a plastic surgery procedure.  With telemedicine services, you will continue receiving medical advice, all in the comfort of your own home, including your doctor at Houston ENT and Allergy.

 

What is Telemedicine?

 

Telemedicine is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "healing from a distance." Telemedicine provides you with the option of receiving medical treatment or consultations without having to schedule an appointment with the doctor or pay a visit to their office for health services.

Through telemedicine, you're provided clinical services without an in-person visit through the use of electronic software and communications. Telemedicine technology is often used for:

  • Medication management

  • Management of disorders

  • Follow-up evaluation 

  • Specialist consultation

  • Many other clinical services

This can all be provided remotely through a secure audio and video connection.

Telemedicine enables you to discuss medical issues, symptoms, facial plastic surgery goals, and more with our physicians in real-time. Through telemedicine services you can:

  • Obtain a diagnosis

  • Learn the different options of treatment

  • Be shown hands-on tasks like removing sutures and changing dressings

  • Obtain a prescription

 

How Does Telemedicine Work?

 

Patient care is being transformed by telemedicine in various ways, particularly within the plastic surgery scope:

  • It allows for face-to-face consultations and quicker diagnosing and treatment regarding a problem requiring reconstructive or aesthetic surgery.

  • It offers simple access to one of Houston ENT and Allergies doctors if you're having difficulty making it to his office because of your business schedule, transportation or mobility issues, illness or if currently because of COVID-19.

  • It offers a simple way to obtain a second opinion in the same practice before you move forward.

  • It provides you with the added convenience of total privacy.

Telemedicine provides capabilities that allow individuals to work virtually with their patients. T

Telemedicine makes dialogue and follow-up with Houston ENT and Allergy more convenient and realistic than having to drive across town, schedule several office visits or try to describe a concern you have over a voice answering machine.

 

Does Insurance Cover/Pay for Telemedicine Services? 

 

Generally, the answer is yes. While there are more progressive ones than others, today many private health insurance providers and state legislatures are recognizing and acknowledging telemedicine's potential for reducing costs and keeping patients healthier.  As such, most are covering telemedicine services just as they would for in-patient face-to-face visits. 

Federal and state laws impact insurance and telemedicine coverage. Insurance company policies do as well. Health insurance companies are committed to contributing to the prevention of the COVID-19 spread and embracing telemedicine.  The federal government is even observing how telemedicine may be used under Medicare more broadly.

 

How to Schedule a Telemedicine Appointment with Houston ENT and Allergy

 

Here's how you can make an appointment:

  • Register and schedule your appointment: You can register online and schedule your appointment through any electronic device with access to the Internet. You'll go to https://www.lumahealth.io/ , use the code provided to you, and a password you've created to log in.

  • Select the date and time of appointment: You can choose the day you want to make your appointment and which medical provider you'd like to use. Then select an available time that works for you best.

  • Medical ailment and history: You complete your medical history on the provided form at the time you schedule your appointment (or before if that's more convenient) and enter your reason for your visit.

  • Payment information: You then enter your payment information and you're done.

 

What's Involved in the Pre-Appointment Check-In?

 

You'll go to the virtual clinic room about ten minutes before the time of your appointment. While in the clinic room, you'll log in and update your medical profile through the clinic room PC. You'll then take your vitals (pulse, blood pressure, and temperature) prior to your appointment and enter your vitals numbers. When you're done, you'll log onto the provided webcam link for your appointment.

 

What's Involved in the Doctor's Appointment with a Houston ENT physician?

During your appointment:

  • Your appointment starts and your physician joins the webcam link.

  • You'll discuss your ailment, follow-up information, or goals with your physician. The webcam will allow you to see and speak with one another in real-time face-to-face, allowing for instantaneous dialogue back and forth.

  • If during your appointment your physician needs to check your heartbeat or lungs, there's an electronic stethoscope that allows that. He'll instruct you how to use the stethoscope.

  • Your physician will provide you with a diagnosis and go over a treatment plan with you. 

  • Your physician will order lab work and/or prescriptions if necessary. They will then order the lab work or prescriptions. Your prescriptions will be phoned into your choice of local pharmacy.

How Does the Payment Process Work?

 

For insurance billing and copay, Houston ENT will charge you for your co-pay, and bill your insurance for your appointment. If you don't have coverage, you'll be charged directly for your visit.

 

Book Your Telemedicine Consultation

 

Houston ENT and the rest of the team  values your health and safety above everything else. We're making changes in how we provide you with the quality healthcare you need during this rapidly evolving crisis by transitioning many of our appointments to telemedicine. This is to ensure your safety. We appreciate your patience and understanding during these troubling times. Book your telemedicine consultation today.

 

Request An Appointment with Houston ENT & Allergy Today!