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What is Telehealth: Best Guide for Beginners on Virtual Medical Visits Online

By risemenshealth | March 17, 2020 |

Rise Men’s Health has built upon the existing and accepted telehealth infrastructure to meet consumer expectations and improve the quality of medical care through telehealth technology as we do in-clinic in Roanoke, Texas.

What Rise is delivering isn’t new and we are not replacing the traditional doctor’s office. What we are doing at Rise Men’s Health is bringing together the “old” clinical approach with modern access to care via telehealth – virtual and online. We give patients the flexibility to choose insurance or self-pay for their virtual medical visits.

With the movement of “cash-only” direct patient care or “concierge” service, I can tell you for certain that we are minding the gap.

While insurance rates and deductibles are increasing, people still want the option to use their health insurance. Patients should be able to choose how they pay for care.

Rise provides a patient-focused treatment that provides safe and effective men’s and women’s treatment in a professional clinical environment (both in-clinic and online).

Many online clinics focus on patient volume and bottom line, creating a cattle-call experience. We believe that trust and comfort between provider and patent are critical to providing effective care on a first-name basis, like back-in-the-day when an independent primary care physician was your first thought when sick.

Our medical staff uses modern treatment protocols to optimize your hormone health and stigmatized health concerns.

We are not the Matrix, Macho Male, Alpha, Alternative Medicine, overdosing performance TRT websites you see online claiming they offer Men’s health telemedicine.

We allow you to actually speak with a Board-Certified Licensed Provider in your State. Most of these online dispensaries are managed by very knowledgeable but very unlicensed people who are unqualified to prescribe RX to your local Pharmacy or shipped directly to you by FDA certified Pharmacies.

You can start now and get set up with Rise eTRT for $150.00 cash or with your health insurance!

Our team has created a free telehealth service for people who are seeking guidance and information about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

If an individual thinks they may be experiencing signs or symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19), they complete the online assessment and If appropriate, we will schedule a video consultation with a Rise provider. After reviewing your information, a Rise provider will determine if a consult is needed.

We are collecting donations for the Red Cross at the end of the screener if you wish to contribute (optional).

You can Check out our Coronavirus Telehealth Assessment for FREE!

You can get set up with Rise Her Health for $150.00 cash.

But our purpose today is not to talk about us but to help you.

We have a physician supply and demand issue on our hands. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the USA will see a shortage of roughly 122,000 physicians by 2032 as population growth skyrockets and older folks become more health-conscious.

“The nation’s population is growing and aging, and as we continue to address population health goals like reducing obesity and tobacco use, more Americans will live longer lives. These factors and others mean we will need more doctors,” said AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, MD. “Even with new ways of delivering care, America’s doctor shortage continues to remain real and significant.” Source

The U.S. Census Bureau believes the US population will see a growth of 10% by 2032 with those aged 65+ increasing by 48%. Census Data

With this demand shift, the traditional waiting room – office-based model may break.

This is where telemedicine technology can step in to provide an online men’s clinic and proactively make a difference.

In today’s need-it-now culture, access to licensed physicians virtual and online can be the new normal. Think about how often you see people talking on Facetime…

While technology is making us more efficient as a society, there is still a desire and demand for human interaction. With the right telehealth tools, Providers can make the same, if not better connection with patients as they once had in the “good ol’ days” when Primary Care Providers play the more important role in Healthcare.

Technology can help create a similar experience for patients.

Digital health companies can never replace in-person visits, but we can definitely make improvements in a more efficient standard of care.

How is telemedicine different from telehealth?

In principle, it’s the same. Telehealth is the broader scope of remote healthcare services than telemedicine. The Health Resources Services Administration defines telehealth as,

“the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.”

Telemedicine refers to virtual clinical or medical services. Don’t get lost in the mumbo-jumbo. Virtual medical care can use telemedicine or telehealth. Maybe toss at “care’ on the end of telehealth CARE… Now it’s legit. Healthit.gov

Telemedicine and virtual care should be transparent. It’s important to offer reasonable, transparent prices so that patients know that the prices they pay match the level of service we are providing.

As the price of insurance and their deductibles continue to increase, many patients are paying for their healthcare expenses out-of-pocket. This is where transparent pricing is critical.

Virtual office visits are simply doctor-patient visits that occur via video chat through a secure web-based system.

Virtual visits satisfy the modern patients’ demand for timely access to care and allow them to communicate with their doctor “on-demand” when convenient, from anywhere, regardless of the time. There should be no more prerequisite to book an appointment before a provider can share pricing.

There are two types of direct to consumer-level telemedicine: Synchronous and Asynchronous.

Synchronous aka video chat: This type of telemedicine allows providers and patients to communicate in real-time. The video chats can be done from the patient’s home or in a nearby medical facility through the use of video conferencing software that must be HIPAA regulations.

Asynchronous or by text or questionnaire: “Store-and-forward” is another great telemedicine tool that we use at your initial consult. This allows our patients to share information, such as lab results, with a physician from anywhere like a smartphone app.

Are you Speaking with an Actual Provider Online?

A Physician must be licensed in the State where you live in order to practice medicine online via telehealth. A Doctor can delegate care to Physician Assistants or Nurse Practitioners in the same state, which is a common practice nowadays.

The numbers of PA/NPs taking on Primary care are growing month to month… This may not be a bad thing.

The practice of medicine whether done in a physical office setting or online through telehealth is regulated by the 51 state medical boards across the USA.

We all need to understand and compile with each state’s legislation on:

Doctor license credentialing
Fraud and abuse
Standard of care
Prescribing requirements
Anti-kickbacks
Corporate practice of medicine
HIPAA patient privacy

Local or Mail-order pharmacies are regulated by a different group of 51 state pharmacy boards.

Prescribing RX whether done in a physical office setting or online through telemedicine must meet each state’s legislation on:

Pharmacist licensure
Pharmacist-to-technician ratios
RX labeling, and safety
OHSEA standards

Because are we are working with Schedule III controlled Substances we all must meticulously meet Federal DEA guidelines.

Advertisements are regulated by the FTC, FDA, and state attorneys general.

The plethora of regulatory bodies that oversee every single part of our business, from the way a patient-physician relationship is established to the labeling and formulas on your prescription drugs. (yes, a plethora).

One of the leading real telemedicine companies (Ro-co) said it best. – “We are not operating in a vacuum” – CVS, Walmart, Kaiser, Mayo Clinic, Care Now, etc. have been innovating the healthcare delivery models for years; IE – the Minute Clinic.

We are standing on the shoulders of these giants’ successes.

Rise is creating a new experience for men and women to get the personal treatment they need from medical experts with the ability to choose insurance or cash, from anywhere they want.

One-third of all currently active doctors will be older than 65 over the next decade. As these docs retire, naturally the need for more MDs will begin to stretch thin.

There is a love-hate relationship with the US Health System. There are many great things happening in healthcare to give people easier access, but for a majority of Americans the system is not working and there is a cry for help.

Rural Americans to Blue-Collar families to low-income folks these people need access to the same affordable care that a majority of Americans living in the suburbs and larger metro-areas.

You can get set up with Rise eTRT for $150.00 cash or with your health insurance!

How do people feel about Telehealth?

In a list compiled by Terasa Iafolla on eVisit.com patient satisfaction with telehealth looks to be through the roof…

The average wait time for most telemedicine visits is approximately 20 minutes.
Far less costly than other health care options, the average telemedicine visit costs just $40.
91% of outcomes were equal or better than that of in-person visits.
Only 6% of telemedicine patients require follow-up treatment as opposed to 13% of those who were seen in the office.
There is no need to take time off work for appointments as most appointments can be handled in minutes, as well as around your schedule.
Much lower wait times than other types of health care, it takes just 2 minutes to be seen by a telemedicine doctor.
Many consumers trust telemedicine more as they are able to read their credentials before they select their physician.
Video visits have become second to the ER in terms of those visiting the for late-night urgent medical issues; 21% ranked telemedicine first, 30% for parents of children under the age of 18.
70% of reporting consumers asserted that they would prefer to fill their primary prescriptions.
Appointment times are, on average, 20 minutes or less.
95% of patients report being satisfied with their experience.
30% of patients are already using some sort of telemedicine services.
64% of Americans have expressed interest in using telemedicine.
7% (17 million) of Americans are willing to switch doctors due to issues with the availability of telehealth appointments.
76% of patients prioritize having access to a medical professional instead of seeing one in person.
Although cybersecurity is a common issue in other sectors, less than 2% of telemedicine patients are concerned about their online safety.
56% are unsure if their insurance covers telehealth visits.
21% of respondents use telemedicine due to lack of travel time.
21% of patients said missed in-person interaction while using telehealth services.
12% experienced or had a concern about technical issues.

Source, Study, Source, Press-Release, Source, Report, Report

How do people 50+ years old feel about Telehealth?

The University of Michigan partnered with Ipsos Market Research to survey 2,256 people ages 50-80 years old.

Only 4% reported having had a telehealth visit in the past year.

64% were interested in telemedicine for any unexpected illness while traveling.

58% were interested in follow-ups and 71% did not think an Annual Physical Exam would work virtually (well, of course not). As you can see there is certainly an appetite for telemedicine care, but this does not replace physical office clinics where adequate head-to-toe Physicals need to be done in-person.

Patients can receive yearly Physical Exams from a local Walk-in Clinic, Minute Clinic, or Family Practice.

These patients are perfect candidates for our men’s health telemedicine follow-ups. Following up on blood work and other screenings fits into what a remote telemedicine visit is trying to accomplish – to save time for both the patient and Provider.

A Physical physical is physiologically impossible online unless the medical field starts seeing serious technological advancements in indirect patient care like Artificial intelligence.

These online visits give providers the opportunity to discuss how the patient can make better lifestyle decisions alongside the care we provide via telemedicine.

According to the Healthcare Cost Institute, the average cost for an office visit to see a Family or Primary Care Physician is increasing as more docs are move to cash-only care. With our telemedicine services, you’ll see what you’re paying for upfront with no hidden fees. If treatments are applied to your deductible, we will alert you of those charges in a timely manner. Our self-pay rates are similar to what you may pay out of pocket. Source
In a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine – 64% of primary care visits and 80% of specialist visits do not ask patients the purpose of their visit and listen to patient concerns. With our online diagnostic forms, you are able to tell the provider exacting what’s going on before the visit so they can proactively ask root-cause questions based on your forms. Source

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, men are far more likely to skip routine health screens and far less likely than women to have seen a doctor of any kind during the previous year:

Men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22% more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
Men are 28% more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
Men are 32% more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
Men are 24% more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.

Our private virtual setting allows men and women to be open and honest with their care provider, and receptive to the advice or treatment plan.

You can now get set up with Rise eTRT for $150.00 cash or with your health insurance!

What does a Good Telehealth practice look like?

Real-time face-to-face interaction

The recommended method of telemedicine care delivery is real-time video and audio. The medical board and insurance companies require live video chats for reimbursement. Rise uses the industry software to make the experience feel like an in-person interaction. You won’t be looking through a fuzz potato-like filter screen. We use HD video to avoid frequent freezes or poor visibility.

Fully HIPAA-compliant

Because we are working with sensitive patient information, the telemedicine tools must be HIPAA-Compliant, which means your personal information is encrypted and on lockdown from any security risks. Video tools like Skype and FaceTime, for example, are not HIPAA-compliant and should never be used for patient encounters. This is a red flag if you see practices using these tools.

Eligibility checking for patients

If you are using health insurance, we run your benefits so you know what your co-pay, co-insurance, and deductible will be at the time of your first visit. A good telemedicine tool has these features built-in so we can check patient eligibility for telemedicine to avoid any surprises and a seamless experience.

FaceTime and Skype are not HIPAA certified. The Act requires that providers have business associate agreements (BAAs) – these two tools do not.

HIPAA, of course, stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), generally established patient privacy in a clinical setting. Aside from our telemedicine platform, we use a HIPAA compliance Cloud-based telecom system for calls, text, and video chat.

How do I start care with our Rise Telehealth Providers?

Our convenient and confidential video call feature is user friendly. Once you’ve scheduled your appointment and the appointment has been confirmed by our medical staff, we will send you email asking you to confirm your email.

In the email, click to Confirm Email Address. Like so:

After the click, you will be sent to the mobile or desktop app store to download our mobile app – You can use your iPhone, iPad, Android, or any computer with a camera and microphone.

From there you’re down the home-stretch to fill out the new patient intake forms and start your telehealth visit with one of our providers.

If you decide to fill out the forms beforehand, you will still need to confirm your email and set up our mobile or desktop app on your phone or laptop.

Why should I see my doctor on telehealth instead of in person?

Video visits allow you to conveniently meet with your doctor over secure video. This keeps you out of the waiting room and gives you a comfortable experience to have an open conversation with your provider.

Will I receive the same quality care as an in-office appointment with telehealth?

Absolutely. Video consults through our platform are just as effective as your traditional experience in a physical office.

How much will my telehealth visit cost?

Our telehealth visits are covered by your regular health insurance: co-pay, co-insurance may apply. Like a normal office visit, a portion of your visit may get applied to your deductible. We will work to identify all potential charges before your visit.

Our affordable self-pay subscriptions range from $99.00 to $150.00 per month depending on the program you and our provider decide on.

What types of appointments are good for telehealth?

TRT, Urgent care, prescription refills, allergies, and illness are good candidates for telehealth. Our TRT service requires blood work and an annual physical both of these can be done at your nearest urgent care or CareNow. You simply request a transfer of records to be sent to our Rise providers. We order blood work to one of our partner labs near you (Quest and LabCorp). If you are local to Dallas Fort Worth, Texas – we can perform labs in-clinic at our Roanoke, Texas location.

What equipment will I need for telehealth?

You will need either an iPhone or iPad, Android, or a desktop or laptop computer with a webcam and microphone.

How do I schedule a telehealth video visit?

Schedule your telehealth appointment online or call us at (817) 900-0304 and we will send you all the new patient intake forms just like requesting a normal in-office visit but done virtual and online.

What do patients need to conduct a telehealth visit?

Laptop, tablet, or smartphone
Strong WiFi or mobile connection
New patients need to fill out our intake form which can be found at the top of this page
Activate account through email or text notification
We suggest that you log into the app 10-15 minutes before the visit starts.

Can I get my medications prescribed online?

Yes! Our licensed US Physicians and Physician Assistants are able to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, and send them directly to your pharmacy or ship them to you directly with our ePharmacy partners. You will not need a paper script and there will be no lapse in time to receiving your medications.

How do I fill out the requested patient forms?

Either request an appointment or click here to fill out the online assessment forms online before your telehealth appointment.

How do I reach someone if I have a question about my care?

Call, text, or email – Our number is (817) 900-0304. We are happy to assist you with any needs that may arise between appointments. Contact us!

If we do not answer, leave a detailed message and we will return your call ASAP.

Of course, if this is an emergency, please dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Common video visit error messages to watch for during your first telehealth visit.

If you’re logging into the telehealth app for the first time, we suggest giving yourself 10-15 minutes to make sure that your mic is hot, your video is videoing, and your camera is showing your face.

Here are some common error messages and solutions to resolve these errors.

“Please allow your camera and microphone”

Go to the upper-right corner of your Chrome window, and press the camera icon. Ensure that it is set to “Always allow access of my camera and microphone.”

“Invalid email or password”

Please confirm your email address and password are the same as you have previously set up. If you have not previously set a password, check for your appointment email in your inbox and press “Confirm Details” to continue. You can also press “Forgot Password” to recover your password if you know your correct email address.

“We were unable to verify your information. Please review and submit again.”

Make sure your phone number and date of birth match what your practitioner has on file for you.

“Credit Card number is invalid”

If you’re using insurance for your visit, be sure to provide insurance information when prompted.

Next, you may be asked to enter your credit card information. Don’t worry, if there is no required charge for your visit, we will not charge the card. We hold your card for authorization purposes.

Basic Telehealth Terminology

Like any new topic, some of us may not understand the buzzwords and jargon in healthcare. Patients are looking to get help and feel better. When you combine technology and healthcare lingo into a pool of potential words, you get a boatload of “huh?” moments.

This guide will go over commonly used terms in the telehealth field, as well as payers, vendors, policymakers, and healthcare organizations around the industry.

Telehealth

The second most important term is ‘telehealth’. This term is frequently used interchangeably with telemedicine, but their meanings are slightly different. While telemedicine focuses on clinical services, telehealth focuses on all health services. An example would be a video-conference platform for nurse education.

Telemedicine

The most important term to clarify is ‘telemedicine’ itself. Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technology and information technology for clinical services.

Digital Health

The broad scope of digital health includes mobile health, wearable devices, telehealth and telemedicine, and personalized medicine. Digital Health empowers consumers to make informed decisions about their wellbeing and online prevention, early diagnosis of diseases, and management of chronic conditions outside of traditional office settings.

Copay

A fixed predetermined dollar amount you pay for a covered health care service. For our services, our patients see anywhere from $0 to $30 depending on their health insurance.

Coinsurance

The percentage that you are required to pay (20%, for example). The rest will be paid by your health insurance plan, which typically applies after your deductible has been met.

Deductible

The amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts paying in full for your care. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself.

Electronic Medical Record (EMR)

EMR’s allow healthcare organizations to store, retrieve, and modify patient records.

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Sometimes confused with an EMR, electronic health records are a collection of patient information that can be shared across healthcare settings. EHRs are all in one containing bills information, vital signs, medical history, and more.

Encryption

Encryption is the masking of data. Encryption takes sensitive data and makes it secure by jumbling up the information into nonsense code. Decryption is the unmasking of the data. Decoding the nonsense code into useful information again.

HIPAA

HIPAA is an acronym for Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. It’s the authority for providing standards and requirements regarding how confidential patient information is protected and handled. To learn more about HIPAA, visit this website.

Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring refers to the utilization of digital medical devices transferring data to practitioners and staff in real-time.

Video Conferencing

The transmission of digital video images in real-time between multiple locations.