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JULY 31, 2020
TELEHEALTH
Telehealth A Cleveland Jewish News Special Section
Telehealth rises to meet health care need in pandemic BECKY RASPE | SPECIAL SECTIONS STAFF REPORTER @BeckyRaspeCJN braspe@cjn.org |
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s we continue through the pandemic, regular checkups and health care visits are more important than ever. But when every trip out of the house poses the risk of infection, many individuals fear visiting the doctor. That’s where telehealth comes in, filling a need in the health care community, according to Dr. Michael Biscaro, chief of behavioral health at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland; Denise Sadler, clinical director at Life Solutions South in Cleveland Heights; and Gregg Zolton, chief information officer at Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center in Montrose with offices across Northeast Ohio. “It has opened up the community to both providers and consumers,” Sadler said. “Telehealth has been around for a while, but with COVID-19, it has pushed us to do things differently on both sides. No-show rates have reduced for appointments since all you have to do is get up, put on a shirt and get in front of your device.” Zolton said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst for telehealth as patients have care needs, but are either unable to visit their physicians in person or have concerns about going to a medical facility. Before the pandemic, it was impractical for health care organizations to provide telehealth visits due to reimbursement issues and other restrictions.” Though the option has been around for some time, Biscaro said the switch to telehealth visits was particularly unprecedented for him. Just switching from a position at the VA Health System to St. Vincent in January, Biscaro saw the need for telehealth
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services manifest only six weeks later. “At the VA, I was a service line manager there and managed an outpatient recovery program, and we were one of the first in the country to offer telehealth services,” he recalled. “When I came here to St. Vincent, I was so surprised how little telehealth was used – and then the pandemic hit, and we needed to act quickly. Within a few days, we had things pulled together with Zoom – getting our groups online for outpatient services and (getting) treatment out to folks.” As the pandemic continues, it’s clear telehealth continues to be an important offering. “Despite the pandemic, patients still have other health care needs that must be met,” Zolton said. “By offering telehealth visits, we were able to expand our reach and provide a way for patients to get needed interaction with their specialist from the comfort and safety of their own homes.” Especially in the mental health and addiction recovery communities, both Biscaro and Sadler said accessing telehealth during a period of general fear and uncertainty made the difference for patients. “Early on when people were really restricted to their homes, our patients who already have poor
coping mechanisms spiraled out,” Sadler explained. “People with substance abuse issues got worse, and some people with children were worried about how they were going to feed and educate their children. It is overwhelming and stressful for our clients. Beyond telehealth, having the ability to call and check in on them, offering a quick service helps reduce that stress and anxiety.” Biscaro said, “People, especially in the addiction and mental health community, rely on those supports. The supports were quickly stripped away from them – and they needed to have another option. People were used to having a lot of that connectedness, and now they’re isolated – and these are illnesses that already isolate people. We needed to make sure people had access to care as a health community in general.” With the end of the pandemic nowhere in sight, the consensus is telehealth will continue to be an important health care option. “There will still be times in orthopedics when an in-person visit is preferred,” Zolton noted. “For example, during an in-person visit, the physician can feel the degree of swelling or move a patient’s joint to assess the range of motion or pain. While telehealth has enabled us to meet our patients’ needs during the pandemic, it will remain another excellent option for care.” Biscaro explained, “Without a doubt, there is no going back. The genie is out of the bottle, if you will. It has created better access and we’ve been able to stay in touch with people. In the mental health and addiction community, we always thought about how great it would be to be reimbursed for phone counseling. In this new time, we’re being paid for that, and we’re seeing no show rates go down and engagement go up. How can you argue with that?”
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Prepare for telehealth appointment prior to calling BECKY RASPE | SPECIAL SECTIONS STAFF REPORTER @BeckyRaspeCJN braspe@cjn.org |
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ue to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth appointments quickly have become the norm. But for many people, this is the first time they’ve been exposed to the option of seeing a provider remotely. Should your first appointment be approaching, Albert Ferreira, director of telehealth operations at the Center for Digital Health Innovation at the MetroHealth System in Brooklyn Heights; Dr. Jennifer Hohman, executive vice president of NOMS Healthcare and family physician in Fremont; and D. Michael Kelly, market manager at NovaCare Cleveland East in Cleveland Heights, offer advice to make it easier. Ferreira said before a patient’s appointment, they should do a dry run. “Try to do a dry run of the tech or tools, because even though it’s very easy most times, it’s about getting comfortable and familiar using the tools,” he said. “For example, you should be able to turn the volume up and down, as well as making sure your microphone is working and the person on the other end can hear you.” As far as what to expect, Ferreira said just approach it as a telephone call, but with a video component. “It’s so you can see and hear the person,” he explained. “This is very helpful as it makes it feel natural and real, so you can read expressions and things like that.” At NOMS, Hohman said patients are texted or sent an email with a link in it, which takes patients directly to the appointment with their provider. “You can use your cellphone camera or computer to connect with your doctor,” she said. “Very soon, you will
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be able to do the entire check-in process on your phone. You will be able to fill in your personal information, send a picture of your insurance card, and pay your co-pay.” She added due to the pandemic, many insurance companies cover telehealth, as well as waive co-pays and deductibles for the appointments. But, each patient should check with his or her insurance provider for specific benefits. After determining the technical component of the appointment, Kelly said NovaCare patients should expect custom guidance specific to their care and injury. “A physical therapist will listen to the patient to determine any limitations they may have, with the goal being to find out the source of the injury, pain or weakness and address it during the telerehab treatment session,” he noted. “A patient can expect to experience one-on-one time with a therapist who can help them feel better through exercise. Some patients work on strength and some on stretching. Some patients sweat, some do not. It depends on the patient’s injury, fitness level and goals.” With his patients, Ferreira said he likes it when they have their discussion topics or questions prepared before their appointment.
“In the event they have any technical issues, what ends up happening is (patients) can end up switching their mentality and forget what they want to discuss,” he said. “So, it’s always good to write things down and have them next to you. Be mindful of what is going on in the background, as it can be distracting for you and the person you’re communicating with.” Other things to be aware of include a secure internet connection, good lighting and a lot of space to move around should a provider need you to, Kelly said. Also, Kelly added patients should try to be as prepared as possible, as this allows for more efficient care during a time where providers may be busier than normal. “Compared to a normal physician appointment, there is a specific time where a (provider) may need to end the appointment to start the next call,” he explained. “So, it would be good to make sure the call starts on time, with no setup issues to maximize the time you have together.” Ferreira added, “We’re trying to be as efficient as possible to reach out and touch as many patients as we can. Telehealth allows us to interact with and see more patients, but it does not eliminate the need for the people in these visits to be comfortable with the technology. If you’re a patient and only do these once a year, you might not be as comfortable as a provider that does it all the time. You don’t want them to spend more time helping you navigate the tool than providing care.” If you’re feeling nervous attending a telehealth appointment, Hohman explained patients will still get the same great care they expect. “Change is hard, but can be good,” she said. “Telemedicine is here to stay, and many recognize how this type of care will improve health care in the future. Imagine being able to connect with your doctor from home when you can’t drive.”
Get the Care You Need, from the Comfort of Home MetroHealth offers 24/7 telehealth visits for urgent symptoms Our physicians and nurses are available around the clock to discuss your health concerns, triage your symptoms and ensure you get the care you need, when you need it. From flu symptoms like cough, fever or body aches, to headaches, sore throats and other urgent issues, call 440-592-6843 to be connected to a medical professional who can help. You don’t have to be a MetroHealth patient to call, and all insurance is accepted. We’re here to take care of everyone in the community who needs us – it’s just what we do. For the best quality in telehealth care, on-demand, call 440-592-6843.
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TELEHEALTH
Technology key to 30 Israeli medical innovations to fight COVID-19 ABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN
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he coronavirus crisis is first and foremost about people. People stuck at home, people out of work. People sick with the virus, people caring for them. People canceling dream weddings and vacations, people deciding public-health policies. Technology is also about people. In Israel, a powerhouse of innovative technology, people are busy inventing and adapting technologies to ease the virus’ burden. “Technology has a great role to play in solving and helping us get through this crisis, from diagnosis, mitigation, patient tracking, contamination prevention and protecting medical staff, to education and exercise for the homebound,” OurCrowd CEO Jon Medved said. ASSESSING, DIAGNOSING COVID-19 The economic and logistic limitations of current assessment and testing methods have motivated many Israelis to find better solutions. BATM is scaling up production of a rapid-diagnostic kit that detects coronavirus infection from saliva samples within 50 minutes. The kit is compatible with equipment used to do the current PCR test for diagnosing COVID-19 in a matter of hours. Diagnostics.ai is working toward complete automation of PCR testing for COVID-19 using artificial intelligence. Now being tested at King’s College Hospital NHS London and soon at CLIA labs in the United States, the pcr.ai method would enable
doubling the number of samples tested per day without additional staffing needs. The Defense Ministry’s Directorate for Defense Research and Development is working with Vocalis Health to identify a unique vocal “fingerprint” of virus carriers based on voice samples from confirmed coronavirus patients and a control group from the general population. The remote technology also could help monitor recovery of COVID-19 patients. Researchers from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Rambam Health Care Campus say they can dramatically increase COVID-19 testing capacity by pooling multiple samples in a single test tube. MyEleanor, a voice bot and virtual care manager from MyndYou, can call individuals or act as a hotline to assess risk, manage symptoms and provide guidance. On each call, AI-driven voice analytics can detect subtle changes in health and trigger proactive interventions. An app from K Health uses AI to give free COVID-19 risk assessment and primary care advice based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Symptomatic or high-risk users may be connected to a physician for a free 14-day chat-based consultation. Geneyx is working with hospitals in Israel, China and Italy to determine whether certain genetic mutations may lessen or worsen individual COVID-19 infections. The company intends to create a database to help predict the severity of each patient’s case. VocalZoom autonomous sensors for Industry 4.0 applications may be repurposed for noninvasive
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“Studies are in various stages and we’ll have to wait patiently for safety and efficacy trials to be completed within one to one and a half years.” Dr. Eyal Leshem, Sheba Medical Center skin scans to detect possible COVID-19 symptoms in hospitals and mass transit hubs. RADLogics has adapted its AI-powered medical-image analysis solution to automatically and accurately detect and classify COVID-19 infection in chest CT images of patients believed to be infected. The solution has been deployed in China, Russia and Italy to measure the percentage of affected lung volume. Air Doctor, an app connecting travelers with local doctors, now offers a constantly updated list of COVID-19 testing sites and regional rules in 42 countries across five continents. MANAGING COVID-19 PATIENTS TytoCare’s unique modular device and telehealth platform is allowing health care organizations in the U.S., Europe and Israel to remotely examine and monitor potential and actual COVID-19 patients at home and in hospitals. TytoCare exams of lungs, heart and temperature fully replicate an in-person checkup Several hospitals are using software and hardware from Mittwoch to enable remote exams and diagnosis of COVID-19 patients using technologies such as TytoCare devices and digital stethoscopes. Datos Health introduced a Coronavirus Telemedicine Program for hospitals and HMOs to provide online symptom-checking and video consultations to COVID-19 patients who don’t need hospitalization. The Wearable Vital Sign Monitor from Biobeat is providing continuous, noninvasive medical-grade monitoring of blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature and other vitals in COVID-19 patients at several Israeli hospitals and at home. An under-mattress contact-free monitoring solution from EarlySense allows hospitals to monitor and analyze COVID-19 patients’ breathing patterns for subtle changes and signs of respiratory distress. The OLO blood analyzer from Sight Diagnostics performs rapid automated testing of COVID-19 patients’ samples using a self-contained cartridge to collect two drops of blood from a venous or finger prick sample. The cartridge is inserted in the OLO unit, which provides full blood count results in minutes via computer vision and AI. (OLO has pointof-care regulatory approval in Europe and Israel, but not yet in the United States.) A TeleICU technology from Clew Medical – now being deployed in two Israeli hospitals and tested in two U.S. facilities – uses AI-based predictive analytics
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TECHNOLOGY | 34 to expand ICU capacity and resources while protecting frontline care workers. It includes AI-based algorithms to identify respiratory deterioration in advance, and machine learning models for proactively managing disease severity and workload. Sweetch AI-powered mobile health platform, developed for diabetes patients, is enabling remote monitoring, management and intervention for COVID-19 patients with chronic diseases. Hospitals are using the RenalSense Clarity RMS platform to monitor critical COVID-19 patients’ urine flow remotely and continuously. A robotic process automation solution from Kryon allows for automated reporting of COVID-19 testing results to the Israeli Ministry of Health from Maccabi Healthcare Services, one of Israel’s national HMOs. Manual uploading was causing huge backlogs and human errors. The streamlined process is available free of charge to health care providers anywhere. TREATMENTS, VACCINES “We have no reliable clinical data about any drug useful in reducing severity and mortality” in COVID-19 patients, said Dr. Eyal Leshem, director of geographic medicine at Sheba Medical Center. “Perhaps in several weeks or months we will know what drugs may be useful.” In Israel, about a dozen existing drugs are being tested for their effectiveness alone or combined. Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is donating millions of its hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets to U.S. hospitals for testing as a potential
treatment for COVID-19. As for vaccine candidates, “Studies are in various stages and we’ll have to wait patiently for safety and efficacy trials to be completed within one to one and a half years,” Leshem said. Antibody therapy, immunotherapy and immunization options are being investigated in many Israeli companies, universities and research institutions. Kamada is developing a polyclonal immunoglobulin treatment for severely ill COVID-19 patients, using purified blood and plasma samples from recovered patients. Kamada previously developed serums for treating rabies and Zika. The Israel Institute of Biological Research is working toward a coronavirus vaccine as well as an antibody-based treatment for COVID-19 using plasma from recovered patients. The treatment is expected to take less time to develop than the vaccine, said chief innovation coordinator Eran Zehavy, who is actively pursuing collaborations with startups. A poultry coronavirus vaccine under development at MIGAL Galilee Research Institute is being reformulated as an oral vaccine against human COVID-19 that could be adapted to future forms of the virus. CEO David Zigdon said animal trials of MIGAL’s human formulation may begin soon. “We are raising money and looking for a GMP (good manufacturing practices) facility to produce our vaccine,” he said. TransAlgae has opened an investment round to support development of an oral algae-based coronavirus vaccine in pill form.
The patented PLX cell product from Pluristem Therapeutics is being evaluated at the BIH Center for Regenerative Therapy and the Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies as a potential treatment for respiratory and inflammatory complications associated with COVID-19. Pepticom is seeking partners to validate and develop peptide drug candidates to inhibit proteins in the novel coronavirus. Intubation and mechanical ventilation of critically ill COVID-19 patients is invasive, expensive and can damage the lungs. Inspira is developing a disposable alternative for direct blood oxygenation via a catheter placed into a central vein. Another solution comes from Dr. Ishay Benuri, a pediatric gastroenterologist and medical device inventor. His unique laryngoscope, enabling easier, more accurate and faster intubation of critical COVID-19 patients, is patented in Israel and soon to be patented in Europe and the U.S. Enlivex has developed a medication that could help treat severe symptoms of COVID-19 including catastrophic organ failure. XRHealth provides specialized therapeutic apps delivered through virtual reality headsets for quarantined coronavirus patients. Options include stress and anxiety treatments, cognitive and physical exercises, support groups and two-way interactions with healthcare providers. XRHealth recently set up virtual reality telehealth clinics in the U.S. This story first appeared in Israel 21c and is reprinted with permission.
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36 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG
JULY 31, 2020
TELEHEALTH
Teleheath may play big role on college campuses PAUL SHAFER, BOSTON UNIVERSITY
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As colleges and universities decide whether or not to reopen their campuses this fall, much of the discussion has focused on the ethics behind the decision and the associated health risks of in-person instruction. As a researcher who studies health insurance policy, I see two important gaps in this discussion: Who should pay the cost of treating the inevitable COVID-19 cases that will occur and what do college students need to know about their coverage? Here are four things I think every college student – and those who care about them – should know about health insurance coverage when it comes to COVID-19. WEIGH COVERAGE OPTIONS If you’re covered under a student health insurance plan through your school, it may be worth considering whether that is still your best option. The Affordable Care Act allows, but does not require, dependents to stay on their parents’ plan until age 26. Many students already take advantage of this, but if you don’t, it may be worth a second look, particularly if your parents are insured and you are staying home this fall. The catch is that your parents’ premiums might increase if they are switching
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from single or spousal coverage to family coverage. Students can also qualify for a special enrollment period on HealthCare.gov – or their state-specific health insurance marketplace – if their county or state of residence is changing. This is likely a good option only if students earn some income. That’s because the financial subsidies for marketplace coverage kick in only if you are making at least 100% of the federal poverty level, which is $12,760 a year for a single person in the lower 48 states. If you don’t earn any income or work only part-time, health insurance coverage through Medicaid may be an option, depending on where you live. If you live in a state that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, or attend a college or university in a state that did, you have a better chance of being eligible. Childless adults can qualify for free or nearly free coverage in states that expanded Medicaid with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level, which is $16,971 in the lower 48. ASK HOW COVID-19 IS COVERED All universities planning to reopen their residential campus are developing detailed plans with protocols that include measures like social distancing, daily symptom reporting and regular testing. In these plans, a positive test will likely result in isolation, retesting, contact tracing and other measures to protect the student and their campus. However, treating complications of COVID-19 is a different story. Students will certainly be connected with treatment, but these plans don’t often address who pays for it. Several major health insurance companies have committed to waiving out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 treatment, but some already have plans to end this benefit. There is certainly a question of how this will work out given the potential length of the pandemic and cost of treatment for severe cases. Many of these national insurers are the companies behind student health insurance plans, so these policies may ultimately affect students, but not always. At Boston University, where I teach health policy, our Student Health Insurance Plan through Aetna is covering COVID-19 treatment just like any other illness, subject to the usual deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. Given that COVID-19 treatment can cost into the tens of thousands of dollars or more for cases requiring hospitalization, a student could be responsible for their full annual out-of-pocket maximum of either $3,000 or $5,500 when those bills come due. The risk of severe complications is thought to be low among young adults, but hospitalization rates are on the rise among all age groups. USE TELEHEALTH Students may have other health care needs to be addressed during this pandemic but may not be able to or feel comfortable going to their student health or neighborhood clinic in person. Telehealth has been around for years, but the onset of COVID-19 has seen a dramatic shift in some health systems of moving nonemergency care online. Routine visits for chronic disease management and mental health care, a particular concern right now, are obviously critical to good health. Many insurers and student health plans have waived copayments for telehealth visits. But some are already looking to scale back this benefit as states
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Veterans turning more toward teleheath for VA care CRAIG ANDERSON, DELAWARE STATE NEWS WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) – Walk-in health care options remain for veterans, but they’re the path far less traveled as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. There’s been a seismic shift from offices toward telehealth – video to home services – at the Wilmington VA Medical Center and across the nation, officials said. From Oct. 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, virtual visits in Wilmington through VA Video Connect skyrocketed 922.26% from the same previous 12-month time frame, rising from 844 appointments to 8,403. “Although we initially limited visits and procedures to essential care (when the coronavirus arrived), we performed an unprecedented number of telehealth/virtual care visits,” WVAMC Chief of Staff Dr. George Tzanis said.
U.S. Army veteran David Smyth, who served as a police officer before receiving an honorable discharge in 1993, joins his doctor weekly on a video conference, and prefers not to navigate the smallish VA parking lot any time soon. “If it’s OK with my doctor, I don’t feel the need to meet in person for now,” Smyth said. And regarding the burgeoning surge to telehealth services, he said, “They’re really on top of it. “The Wilmington VA before COVID made it very clear they cared a lot about veterans and nothing about that has changed. In fact, in some ways, they are trying even harder.” The medical center’s emergency department, inpatient
care and community living center have remained open as well. Ultimately, physicians and treatment teams have discretion on needed face-to-face interactions, officials said. “During this pandemic, we have encouraged all veterans to not delay essential care,” WVAMC Director Vince Kane said. “We were proactive in our outreach to contact veterans with medical histories of heart disease, breathing problems, diabetes and hypertension to contact us to maintain their treatment regimen.” Also, “We use home blood pressure monitoring,
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COLLEGE | 36 continue to reopen. Things don’t always work as planned. Patients still get billed sometimes for “free” telehealth, so double-check before you pay any bills. OUT-OF-NETWORK CARE For students who decide to stay home this fall, or have to because their college or university is offering courses online only, an important consideration is whether and how generously their student health insurance plan covers out-of-network care. A student may be in a different city, state or even country from their school, which means that the network associated with the student plan might not be accessible. Certainly, telehealth services can help work around this problem, but students may have care needs, unrelated to COVID-19, that require in-person care. Out-of-network coverage generally comes with a higher deductible and greater financial responsibility for the patient. For example, at the University of North Carolina, their StudentBlue plan comes with a $4,000 out-of-pocket maximum for in-network care, which doubles to $8,000 for out-of-network care. These higher costs can make a big difference in access to care. Poorer families will be at greater risk of delayed or foregone care that can lead to negative health consequences down the road. Also, research has shown that when people don’t understand their health insurance plans – as many college students may not due to their limited experience with it – it can lead people to avoid care due to worries about cost. College students who want to learn more about the basics of health insurance can check out this BestColleges guide. Students and their parents really need to understand their health insurance coverage heading into the fall semester, whether or not they go back to campus. Being informed is the best defense during this pandemic. Minimizing risks is critical, but it’s also important to understand what a positive test could mean financially. Students should reach out to their student health office and health insurance company to get the facts about their coverage and what their financial responsibility would be if they were to get COVID-19 and need treatment. This article is republished from The Conversation and is distributed by The Associated Press.
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Concierge Treatment Centers Psychiatric and Addiction Disorders
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TELEHEALTH
VETERANS | 37 thermometers, scales and oximeters to help do some things, but any examination that relies on touch or a diagnostic testing or involves significant risk should be done in person,” Tzanis said. While staff training has been needed for technological operations, Kane said, “We were prepared for this prior to the pandemic because we routinely rely on telehealth during inclement weather. Moe than 90% of staff had done virtual care in most clinical areas. We allowed staff to work from home, which was new, but everything else was an established crisis response.” Through telehealth, according to Kane, the capacity to address a higher volume of cases has evolved. “This has been a better economical use of time for veterans and our facilities as veterans can get care from the comfort of their homes, and we can see more patients,” he said. Telephone and video care are especially effective for behavioral health matters, Kane said, “Blood pressure monitoring is probably better done at home if the patient has a working cuff. “And much of the routine care we provide for established patients can be done.”
“As veterans have migrated to virtual visits they’ve gotten more comfortable and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, which has led to such a dramatic increase of use without compromising quality”
At University Hospitals, your health and safety have always come first.
Vince Kane
All patients, care providers and staff must wear masks. Everyone is screened for symptoms before entering. Public areas reconfigured for social distancing. Separate Fever Clinics for those with COVID-19 symptoms. More enhanced cleaning of all public areas. Learn more at UHhospitals.org/Safety or make an appointment at 216-468-5911. Protecting your health with science and compassion.
GETTING MORE COMFORTABLE As veterans have migrated to virtual visits they’ve “gotten more comfortable and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, which has led to such a dramatic increase of use without compromising quality,” Kane said. Also resolved technological issues such as bandwith interruption have allayed concerns, Tzanis said. According to connected care coordinator/ nurse manager Michael Selby, “When the system is interrupted, it does cause customer anxiety for both the veteran and clinicians. “However, Wilmington’s connected care staff do a great job of providing internal customer service recovery, by being a reinforcement to national helpdesk and giving our patient population and clinicians a resource for immediate assistance. “This has helped to convince veteran and clinicians this alternative can be beneficial. It also helped the medical center to be prepared during the initial impact of the pandemic; as well as any anticipated trends the pandemic’s status that could continue to affect traditional care delivery.” Now, Selby said, “Virtual care will be a part of the new normal; continuous improvement will only ensure sustainment.” While there’s no completely replacing face-to-face care, Selby maintained that “the goal of the telehealth medium is to ensure continuity and provide clinical care under the least exposure to the patient related to vulnerability during COVID-19. “Use of the telehealth medium for any modality is clinician driven, so we are always looking at best practices … to determine what can be adopted at WVAMC for optimal success.”
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Rosary Hall at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center This time of uncertainty is especially difficult on individuals who are in early recovery from substance use disorder. We want clients and future patients of Rosary Hall at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center to know we are here to support your recovery process by telehealth and in-person. Visit stvincentcharity.com/RosaryHall.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for telehealth options Insurance Accepted: Yes Appointment Needed: No Specialties: Addiction treatment intake services, intensive outpatient program, partial hospitalization program, individual counseling, after-care group counseling and medication-assisted treatment Website: stvincentcharity.com/RosaryHall Telephone: 216-363-2580
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Hours: Flexible schedule, call for appointment Insurance Accepted: Most insurance accepted Specialties: • Parent education and family counseling • Parent-child or child-sibling relations • Managing life-changing events such as divorce • School related issues, including bullying • Mental health assessments • Grief, loss or trauma counseling • Attachment disorders • Oppositional behaviors • Depression, anxiety, self-esteem • Sexual and physical abuse • Teen dating/violence • Adoption and foster care adjustment issues • Attention deficit related problems Website: bellefairejcb.org Telephone: 216-320-8502 / 800-879-2522
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La Place / Beachwood Lifestyle - 2nd Floor 2101 Richmond Rd STE 1000 Beachwood, OH 44122 presqueislemedical.com • (216) 371-0660
Telehealth Services for Your Convenience
ARC Psychiatry evaluates, treats and manages your behavioral health in innovative and holistic ways to improve your well-being and quality of life. We are accepting new patients and offering telehealth appointments. Serving Northeast Ohio, we have a team of providers ready to help you.
University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center
Hours: Emergency room open 24 hours. Specialties: 15 full-service specialties and subspecialties, including adult and pediatric emergency services, cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, integrative medicine, orthopedics and neurosurgery. Website: UHhospitals.org/safety Telephone: 216-245-3715
Mobile Prosthetic Care Complex Orthopedic Bracing Scoliosis Care Infant Cranial Remolding Helmets
At University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, our first priority has always been the health and safety of our patients, our providers and our community. We offer community-based care and convenient access to over 15 specialized medical and surgical services with in-person and virtual appointments. It’s safe to get the care you need at UH.
Remote hearing aid services: consultation, programming, and troubleshooting
Remote speech therapy sessions for children and adults
Curbside pick-up of hearing aids still available In-office visits by appointment only:
216-231-8787
www.chsc.org
Lyndhurst Office: 5084 Mayfield Rd. (at Richmond) Other locations: University Circle, Westlake, Broadview Heights
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PT Genie
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center
PT Genie brings formal physical therapy virtually to your home. Using PT Genie’s exclusive technology, you can perform your prescribed therapy at home with helpful guided videos that track your progress. Therapy – at your home, at your convenience, yet still under the close monitoring of your therapist only with PT Genie.
Hours: 24/7 Insurance Accepted: Yes Specialties: Physical Therapy Website: ptgenie.com
TELEHEALTH
JULY 31, 2020
Hours: Vary. Check crystalclinic.com Insurance Accepted: Yes Appointment Needed: No appointment needed for Crystal Clinic QuickCare. Call 888-730-8321 for immediate care Specialties: Orthopaedic surgery and reconstructive/ plastic surgery Website: crystalclinic.com Telephone: 330-668-4040
Nationally renowned for orthopaedic care, we are a physician-owned, specialty hospital system with board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, and locations throughout Northeast Ohio. Our Crystal Clinic QuickCare facilities provide immediate care for orthopaedic injuries, including care after hours and on weekends, while Crystal Clinic Plastic Surgeons are transforming lives through comprehensive reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.
Nicole Gerami LLC
InMotion
Our skilled speech language therapists are here for your family during the pandemic, providing speech and language services for children and adolescents via telehealth and in person. Utilizing remote therapy, our clinicians can treat articulation, phonological processing, language delays and disorders, reading comprehension, social communication, and more.
InMotion is a nonprofit organization that helps people with Parkinson’s disease feel better every day. We offer evidence-based exercise, arts, support and education programs at no cost, helping our clients take control of their symptoms. Currently, our classes are offered remotely. To schedule an orientation, email support@beinmotion.org or call 216-342-5783.
Hours: Vary by clinician, please call for specific hours Specialties: Speech and language services Website: nicolegerami.com Telephone: 216-292-7370, ext. 101 Email: frontdesk@nicolegerami.com
Hours: Classes for all levels are offered weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Insurance Accepted: N/A Cost: All classes are offered free of charge to clients Appointment Needed: N/A, orientation and registration for classes required Specialties: Parkinson’s disease Website: beinmotion.org Telephone: 216-342-5783
Telehealth listings provided by advertisers.
pharmacy
(216) 260 - 1300
parafill.com
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TELEHEALTH
CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 41
JULY 31, 2020
Presque Isle Medical Technologies
Restoring confidence and independence to amputees and people with disabilities throughout Northeast Ohio.
Your on-site prosthetic care partners. Restoring confidence, independence and mobility one step at a time!
Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Insurance Accepted: Yes Appointment Needed: Yes Specialties: Mobile prosthetic care – complex orthopedic bracing – scoliosis care – infant cranial remolding helmets Website: presqueislemedical.com Phone Number: 216-371-0660
Mobile prosthetic care – complex orthopedic bracing – scoliosis care – infant cranial remolding helmets
Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center All four Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center locations are now open by appointment only for in-person visits – masks required. All locations continue to offer remote hearing and speech services plus curbside pickup and repair of hearing aids. We customize our services to your needs. For more information, please call 216-231-8787 or visitchsc.org.
Insurance Accepted: Yes Appointment Needed: Yes Specialties: Hearing testing, hearing aids, speech therapy, remote services available Website: chsc.org Telephone: 216-231-8787
Strive Mental Health & Wellness LLC Providing the people of Greater Cleveland:
• Adult mental health services • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treatment of depression • Acupuncture for mental health, substance use disorders and pain • Suboxone for opiate dependence • Nutritional coaching • Group fitness classes: TRX, Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Running, DJ Hula Hoop, Boxing Fitness Now offering telepsychiatry, e-prescribing, online scheduling and payment, and appointment text reminders for your safety and convenience. In-person appointments are still available. Accepting Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare. Self-pay always accepted. 3435 Lee Rd in Shaker Heights 216-752-9090 www.strive4today.com strive4today@gmail.com Closed for Shabbat & Holidays Live Well. Feel Good. Strive Daily.
Concierge Treatment Centers Psychiatric and Addiction Disorders
Concierge Treatment Center Laurie Mandel PMHNP Telemedicine and in-office appointments
Covid-19 impacts the need for psychiatric health care. With 25201 Chargin Blvd. Suite #390 Beachwood, Ohio 44122 Telehealth visits available, patients support@ctcenters.info Call: 216-505-4900 www.conciergetreatmentclinic.com find convenience and results with an optimally safe delivery format. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Insurance Accepted: Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, My patients receive personalized, UHC, MMO BC/BS professional care comfortably at Specialties: Anxiety, depression, stress management, home via their tech device of choice. COVID-19 concerns, alcohol use disorder Website: conciergetreatmentclinic.com Contact me for your telehealth visit Telephone: 216-505-4900 and let’s work together. Email: support@ctcenters.info
Parafill Pharmacy
Hours: 24/7, pharmacist on-call Insurance Accepted: Yes Appointment Needed: No Specialties: Full-service pharmacy, delivery, vitamins and supplements Website: parafill.com Telephone: 216-260-1300 (call or text)
Telehealth listings provided by advertisers.
Never wait in line again. Parafill is a local, friendly pharmacy team offering same day prescription delivery, as well as monthly deliveries of continuous medications. As a full-service pharmacy, we offer everything from monthly prescription vials or convenient daily pill packaging, to over the counter medications and supplements. Call today!
ADDICTION AND RELAPSE INCREASE WITH STRESS AND ISOLATION. ROSARY HALL AT ST. VINCENT CHARITY MEDICAL CENTER OFFERS ADDICTION RECOVERY SERVICES ON-SITE AND BY TELEHEALTH.
ST VINCENTCHARIT Y.COM/ROSARYHALL
A Ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System
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JULY 31, 2020
MAKE A MOVE! We are
The Peter B. Lewis Aquatic & Therapy Center
OUR MISSION Help people with Parkinson’s disease feel better every day.
We’ve gone virtual,
so you can stay safe and still have the tools and resources to continue to feel better every day. Stay strong and invigorated with our online classes, such as yoga, boxing, tai chi and dance and more.
® Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Insurance Accepted: Yes Appointment Needed: Yes Specialties: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy Website: menorahpark.org Telephone: 216-595-7345
We have experienced clinicians for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy available for our telehealth services and will work with you to deliver the care you need from the safety of your home. We offer secure messaging, telephone assessments and HIPPA compliant virtual appointments.
MetroHealth
Our classes are offered at no charge.
Connect with us and discover the InMotion family.
beinmotion.org 216-342-5783 Email: support@beinmotion.org
TELEHEALTH
Hours: 24/7 Insurance Accepted: Yes Appointment Needed: No Specialties: Non-emergency symptoms that require fast, effective triage Website: metrohealth.org Telephone: 440-592-6843
We’re here to care for everyone in the community who needs us. Our physicians and nurses are available around the clock to discuss your health concerns, triage your symptoms and ensure you get the care you need, when you need it. For the best quality in telehealth care, call 440-592-6843.
Doc2Go www.arcpsychiatry.com | 216-450-1613 ARC Psychiatry evaluates, treats, and manages your mental health in innovative and holistic ways to improve your well-being and quality of life.
Now Offering Telehealth Visits!
Hours: 24/7 Insurance Accepted: Yes Appointment Needed: No Specialties: Non-emergent urgent care needs such as cold and flu symptoms, allergies, pink eye, ear infection, sinus issues and more. Website: doc2go.com
Services Offered: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Counseling/Therapy Genetic Testing Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Medication Management Functional Medicine
Helping Those With ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! Depression Anxiety Office Hours Stress Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Bipolar *Some Saturday and evening hours available PTSD ADHD Offices located in Beachwood, Canton, and Westlake
Doc2Go offers access to quality health care on-demand 24/7 through the convenience of telephone or video visits online or through our app. Patients with non-emergent symptoms can now access care from a doctor within minutes. Access available through employer provided benefits or purchase of six-month membership.
Strive Mental Health
Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Insurance Accepted: Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and self-pay, FSA eligible. Specialties: Psychiatry, acupuncture, nutrition, group fitness Website: strive4today.com Telephone: 216-752-9090 Email: strive4today@gmail.com
Telehealth listings provided by advertisers.
Serving Greater Cleveland by offering holistic mental health and wellness services, including TMS. Telepsychiatry was incorporated to provide care with distance, safety and convenience in mind. Secure Zoom and email, e-prescribing, online scheduling and payment, along with appointment text reminders provide seamless care for your mental health needs. In-person appointments still available.