Une communauté initiée et animée par

Why do teleconsultation in this context of crisis?

 

• To better manage patient flows, optimize triage, prescribe in a few clicks.

• To curb the epidemic by limiting travel and contacts between patients, while preserving you as a caregiver.

In what context is this authorized? Who can carry out these teleconsultations?

 

• What the law says : All general practitioners and specialists can prescribe telemedicine procedures. They must have already seen the patient for the first time. Inform patient consent and use a secure platform.

• Special accommodations during the Covid-19 crisis :

  • ​ During the epidemic, the French Ministry or Health authorized that primary consultations could be done for patients with covid + symptoms. These consultations are reimbursed. Always make sure, at least orally, that the patient is consenting and understands that he will benefit from a teleconsultation. It is possible to use common unsecured communication systems. IDEs can also implement remote monitoring of their patients. A guide has been published for them.

  • Please, share your information on the special legal dispositions adopted during the crisis in your country, so we can add details on this page : share information !

How to invoice the acts?

 

• Health insurance in France has provided a detailed sheet for doctors explaining step by step how to invoice, be paid, send the prescription to the pharmacist, and teleprescribe work stoppages.

  • Teleconsultation for Covid-19 are repaid since March 12 to 100% from the first-time consultation.

  • Follow-up teleconsultations are reimbursed under ordinary law at the usual rate (25 euros for the general practitioner, 30 euros for the specialist).

​

• Please, share your information on the special payment and reimbursement dispositions adopted during the crisis in your country, so we can add details on this page : share information !

Which solution, which material to choose?

 

Currently, every solution that allows patients and doctors to correspond without moving must be used widely, without limitation of technique. It is obviously necessary to favor the most suitable and easiest to understand technical means for doctors who are not yet users and for elderly patients who have difficulties with the manipulation of new technologies.

 

• Secure and professional solutions: The French Ministry of Health has just released 2 summary tables presenting the capacities and possibilities of the various existing platforms. Note: these service providers are in battle order to answer your questions and make your task easier during this period. Some have created a hotline, and recruited specially to accompany you.

• Exceptionally authorized solutions: In France, you have the right to use Facetime, What's app, Skype,... during the crisis. From saturday April the 4th, teleconsultations through simple phone calls is also authorized and reimbursed for people over 70 with Covid-19 symptoms, and for patients suffering from chronicle or long term diseases.
  However, we strongly recommend that you choose a secure solution, which will be as easy to use and which you can continue to use after the crisis!

• The equipment: webcam + microphone or smartphone, it's up to you! There is no specific equipment required for the conventional management of suspected COVID-19.

​

Please, share your information on the special dispositions adopted during the crisis in your country, so we can add details on this page : share information !

 

How to refer my patients to teleconsultation?

 

This is perhaps what questions you the most! Here are some ideas:

• Inform reception and guidance staff, secretaries , what to do, when and what to say to patients.

• Inform fragile patients in advance and by text: some specialists inform their chronic patients that if necessary, they have set up teleconsultation, and provide a useful link or number to call.

• Offer teleconsultation when making an appointment: some doctors invite their secretariat to direct parents of young children or nursing homes to appointment ranges dedicated to teleconsultation in their agenda.

• Put up posters at the entrance to the hospital or office, communicate on your website: Explain to patients that you have opened a teleconsultation service and how to access it:
  See this article for more details on this!

​

 

Will the handling be quick, on the caregiver side?

 

• Estimated time: Some suppliers state it takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to set up and configure the tool. This can be done by a technician or a caregiver.

• Tip: If possible, delegate the installation and configuration to administrative staff or a technician, so as not to waste medical time.