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A recent press release from federal agencies announces that they are forming a task force to improve the access to telehealth care in rural areas. This is a great initiative to help families everywhere to take advantage of telehealth and telemedicine resources, which have been crucial to providing access to care in the ongoing pandemic.
Those with pre-existing health conditions, such as CKD, are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and suffering more severe effects. This initiative to improve telehealth availability is great news for patients who are located in rural areas and may have particular need of virtual services to have regular care.
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth and telemedicine are the use of technology to help patients meet medical needs at a distance. The goal of telehealth services is to allow patients to have continuity of care despite limitations. Such difficulties can include patients’ locations, health conditions, the cost of travel, or in a pandemic.
Telehealth methods can include online patient resources, virtual appointments, remote monitoring, at-home treatment, and telepharmacy for delivered medications. The availability for these services is dependent on the medical practice and the specific condition of the patient.
How Does Telehealth Work?
To make a plan for your telehealth services, doctors who offer those options will consult to help you develop a plan. They will evaluate your specific medical needs, your at-home resources and support, and other factors to identify if telehealth services are a good option for you.
Your medical practice will give you the information you need to set up teleservices. Patients may be required to agree to additional terms to allow for online transfer of sensitive medical information. Most will require you to create an online account to access online patient portals and virtual visit platforms.
The coronavirus pandemic has prompted expanded insurance coverage and reduced restrictions for telehealth across many insurances. HIPAA restrictions have been temporarily relaxed to allow for different video platforms for visits. Those on Medicaid, Medicare, or CHIP, now have access to more types of telehealth services which are billed as if in-person.
How Does Telehealth Help CKD Patients?
Telehealth helps CKD patients to maintain continued care necessary to monitor and help their condition. It can reduce in-person contact for CKD patients who are at higher risk during the coronavirus pandemic. Telehealth care helps CKD patients avoid some of the obstacles to care and results in fewer missed appointments, decreased cost, and improved patient care.
Certain appointments, including follow-ups, can be done entirely virtually. Certain dialysis treatments are able to be done at home. Patients can do remote monitoring that allows them to collect readings at home and send them to their kidney specialists. Doctors can review the readings and make recommendations for adjusting patient care plans.
What Telehealth Services Are Available at Texas Kidney Institute?
The Texas Kidney Institute is proud to offer a variety of telehealth options for CKD treatment. We have the following services available:
- Telenephrology virtual visits. Most of our patients are currently seen via a virtual or televisit due to COVID-19.
- Electronic patient portal. This allows patients to view medical records and message doctors online on their own time.
- Remote patient monitoring. This allows patients to collect and send readings at home that can help our doctors to monitor their care. Patients need to send at least 16-18 readings a month to effectively track progress. Learn more about remote patient monitoring and whether it is right for you.
- At-home dialysis treatment. Patients can discuss with doctors whether they have the option for dialysis use at home rather than coming into a medical facility. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis can be done at home depending on your case severity. Learn about your dialysis treatment options.
For questions about your care and telehealth services that may be available to you, speak to your doctor to see if those options are right for you. They can answer your questions and help you develop a plan to best manage your CKD.
