Telehealth appointments allow you to experience convenient at-home care. Connect with your provider with a visit virtually, as if you were in the same room. Enjoy the comfort of home while receiving quality care that is reliable through telehealth visits.
With advancements in technology, telehealth at home appointments can be a more convenient way of receiving health care.
At Marshfield Clinic Health System, we have been offering telehealth appointments for over 20 years. Telehealth visits have evolved from an appointment type that used to require patients to come to their nearest Health System location to see and speak to their provider via a video conference connection.
Now, telehealth at home appointments can connect patients to their providers from the patient’s home either via a laptop, other mobile device or by phone.
Virtual appointment offers more care options for rural communities
Telehealth at home appointments reduce travel and wait times and keep you safe when social distancing is necessary. You can access visits with primary care and specialty providers and other health care services through virtual appointments.
Telehealth visits can help treat and manage conditions like diabetes, behavioral health, some heart conditions and much more. Behavioral health has been a leader in using telehealth at home appointments. This specialty uses this type of appointment to see patients for therapy counseling and psychiatry services like medication adjustments. As virtual appointments are becoming more common, providers are finding creative ways to connect with their patients while using technology.
Patients who live in rural communities may find telehealth at home appointments useful for routine checkups or minor health issues like eye infections or pain management. If you have questions about whether a telehealth at home visit is right for you, visit our website or talk to your provider.
While telehealth at home isn’t a solution for everything, it can be a great option for many appointment needs. You may be scheduled for in-person lab or other tests ahead of your telehealth at home appointment. These tests are necessary for your provider to care for you.
Security Health Plan, Medicare and Medicaid will cover these visits as they would normally cover an office visit. While many commercial insurance companies are also covering these visits, you should check with your insurance provider to verify specific coverage for telehealth visits.
Telehealth at home appointments are user-friendly
“If you have used video conferencing software before, then you’ve already experienced what a telehealth at home appointment will be like,” said Niki Wickman, virtual health solutions analyst at Marshfield Clinic Health System.
How telehealth at home appointments work:
- You’ll receive a link to your virtual appointment close to your appointment time via text or email. There is no need to download or log in to any app.
- Before the visit, the provider’s office will call you. They will collect your information, address any questions and direct you to click the link to start your visit.
- To start your call, you need an internet connection and a laptop with camera, speakers and microphone, or a smartphone such as an iPhone or Android.
- On some devices, such as smartphones, you will have to permit the use of your camera and microphone during your first visit.
There is an option to test your device’s audio and video when you receive your virtual appointment invite. We recommend testing your device at least the first or second visit to confirm your technology can support a video visit.
“A telehealth at home visit requires an internet connection sufficient for two-way audio and video,” Wickman said. “You will need about 1Mb of bandwidth to complete this visit.”
Another good way to test your device’s capability is by video chatting on FaceTime or Facebook with your family members. If you can do this, you should be able to complete a telehealth at home appointment with Marshfield Clinic Health System.
Some patients express concern about privacy concerns when using technology in medical care.
“While this is an understandable and reasonable concern, patient privacy is always a top priority,” Wickman said. “Telehealth appointments at the Health System still ensure privacy and security during your visit.”
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