1. Building a Strong Team:

• Staff Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define roles for day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth workflow. Adapt roles as needed to accommodate telehealth nuances.
• Dedicated Team: Consider a specialized telehealth team for enhanced focus and expertise.
• Telehealth Practice Lead: Appoint a lead to manage administrative tasks and troubleshoot issues.
• Trainings and Feedback: Regular training sessions enhance staff comfort and skill with technology and workflow changes. Gather feedback to identify areas for improvement.

2. Navigating Legal and Licensing:

• Stay Up-to-Date: Understand evolving state laws and regulations, including those around Medicaid coverage for telehealth services.
• Service Coverage and Reimbursement: Research which services are covered and compare telehealth and in-person reimbursement rates.
• Interstate Licensure Compacts: Check if your state participates, allowing you to practice across state lines.
• Malpractice Insurance: Ensure your coverage extends to telehealth or purchase supplemental coverage if needed.
• Prescribing Controlled Substances: Familiarize yourself with federal and state laws regarding virtual prescriptions.

3. Choosing the Right Technology:

• Patient Needs First: Evaluate your patients’ needs and choose a telehealth solution that meets their accessibility requirements.
• Practice Integration: Ensure seamless integration with your existing software to minimize disruption.
• Workflow Impact: Understand the technical requirements of your chosen solution and its impact on daily operations.
• Patient-Focused Design: Consider the patient experience – choose technology that’s easy to use and understand.

4. Streamlining Your Workflow:

• Telehealth Integration: Understand how telehealth fits into your daily workflow and schedule appointments accordingly.
• Patient Education: Inform patients about scheduling telehealth visits, visit locations, and available technical support.
• Reimbursement Tracking: Identify a staff member to track reimbursement policies and required documentation for telehealth billing.

5. Cultivating Patient Loyalty:

• Positive Experiences: Implement strategies to cultivate trust and build strong relationships with patients during telehealth visits.
• Accessibility Improvements: Regularly evaluate and enhance access to telehealth for all patients, including those with disabilities or language barriers.

6. Continuous Evaluation and Growth:

Metrics and Investment: As your practice evolves, track key metrics like patient and provider satisfaction, technical performance, and financial impact. Utilize these insights to guide your investments and secure new funding.

Resources and Evidence: Leverage resources like OpenTelemed’s guide on “Cultivating Trust and Building Relationships” and The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s “The Evidence Base for Telehealth” to optimize your approach.

By embracing these best practices and partnering with OpenTelemed, you can build a thriving sustainable telehealth practice. Open the door to a future of flexible, accessible, and high-quality healthcare for your patients and yourself.

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