Special to the Journal
Telemedicine allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients at a distance using telecommunications technology, such as a smartÂphone or computer. As we fight the COVID-19 panÂdemic, telemedicine has quickly become an essenÂtial tool in our health care arsenal. The East Boston Neighborhood Health CenÂter (EBNHC), like other medical providers across the commonwealth, is movÂing swiftly to increase teleÂmedicine access.
“Telemedicine allows us to continue to provide high-quality care to our paÂtients during this pandemic while minimizing expoÂsures,†said Laura Rogers, EBNHC Chief Information Officer. “We can treat peoÂple who are most at-risk for COVID-19 while they stay safely at home—and we can accommodate the essential stay-at-home orÂders that we should all be following right now. EBÂNHC patients who might otherwise miss important or routine appointments can continue to be monitored by their doctor’s office without having to leave home.â€
Prior to the pandemic, only a tiny fraction of EBÂNHC patients were being seen through telemedicine. That changed on March 15 when Governor Baker signed an executive order that dramatically increased the potential of telemediÂcine by requiring commerÂcial insurers to reimburse providers for telemedicine visits and relaxing certain regulations. Two days later, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) broadened access to MediÂcare telehealth services so that beneficiaries can reÂceive a wider range of serÂvices from their providers without having to travel to a health care facility.
Now that these barriÂers have been reduced, the use of telemedicine is skyÂrocketing at EBNHC and medical facilities across the country. Over the last two weeks, EBNHC provided more than 6,000 telemediÂcine visits, with 640 occurÂring on the busiest day. VidÂeo conferencing launches this week, which will sigÂnificantly enhance the teleÂmedicine experience for paÂtients as well as providers.
Do you need to schedule a telemedicine appointment with your primary care provider? Did you miss an appointment that needs to be rescheduled? If so, call 617-569-5800 to schedule a telemedicine appointÂment. This is especially imÂportant if you have a chronÂic or a behavioral health condition. You should be treated if needed, especialÂly during this public health crisis.
Any EBNHC patient who has fever and flu-like symptoms or has had a possible COVID-19 expoÂsure should not come to the health center. Instead, call the health center at 617-569-5800 for phone screenÂing. If appropriate, you will be given instructions on how to get tested.
Recently, Mayor Walsh announced the launch of two online dashboards that allow Boston resiÂdents to see the number of COVID-19 cases in Boston and throughout the state. The dashboards are part of a suite of digital tools available to residents that includes atexting service in six languages, online city services, and frequently updated resources and factÂsheets. Visitwww.boston.gov/coronavirus.
For as long as it takes, EBNHC will continue working with local and national public health ofÂficials to ensure the safety of our staff, patients, and members of the communiÂties we serve. EBNHC has partnered with Independent Newspaper Group to bring you this content, which also appears atebnhc.org/COVID19 and on our soÂcial media channels.