Paramount Advantage Medicaid: Tips for ensuring a successful telemedicine visit with a patient

Paramount Advantage Medicaid

Tips for ensuring a successful telemedicine visit with a patient

Dee Ann Bialecki-Haase MD, MBA, CPE
Chief Medical Officer, Paramount

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made us all think about the way we interact with others. As a health care provider at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), your role is particularly challenging as you try to maintain quality one-on-one patient care and practice social distancing. 
Telehealth is one tool that can help with that. Now may be the right time to practice more telemedicine at your FQHC. As part of our state’s response to COVID-19, Gov. Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Medicaid and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services have relaxed rules around telehealth. 

The emergency rules ease restrictions on the types of technologies and interactions that can be used for telehealth services. It also expands the list of eligible providers who can provide them. (You can find the complete emergency action here)

My family medicine practice in Perrysburg is definitely using it more – especially telephonic visits. Patients find great comfort in being able to talk with a provider from the privacy of their home and receive timely medical advice to maintain their health during this crisis. It has also allowed me to keep appointments with patients who are most at risk for getting COVID-19 without them having to experience potential exposure to the virus in the office. And, during these uncertain days, it has given me the opportunity to reassure patients.
Over the past three years of practicing telemedicine, I have learned a few things. I hope these tips will help you in your practice as well.

• Relax and try not to rush the visit
• Take a thorough history
• Have the patient and family help with the exam. Patients can take photos and upload them to the site. And, they can palpate areas like their neck and sinuses.

If you are new to telehealth, it’s important to carefully review and understand the rules established through Emergency Action 5160-1-21, “Telehealth in a State of Emergency.” Other resources include your compliance department and the health plan networks in which you participate. 

From Paramount Advantage Medicaid: Helping patients cope with the loneliness of social distancing

From Paramount Advantage Medicaid 

Helping patients cope with the loneliness of social distancing 

Dee Ann Bialecki-Haase MD, MBA, CPE
Chief Medical Officer, Paramount

There is no doubt that the recent and sudden changes caused by social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak have disrupted our routines and made everyday life more challenging. While staying home is important for slowing the spread of the coronavirus, the self-isolation is causing many of our patients to feel alone.

As health care providers, we have all seen the research that links social isolation and loneliness to higher risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. None of these will help our patients avoid COVID-19 or recover from it.

But, helping our patients cope with the loneliness of these days and reminding them that we will get through this together will support the resiliency we all need today to do just that.

Our world may feel smaller – but our view of it does not have to. Now, more than ever, we need to take care of one another and encourage our patients to do the same. Here are some ideas to share with patients in hopes of helping them feel less lonely and more engaged in the world around them:

• Take a break from coronavirus news. It can be unsettling and overwhelming to constantly listen or watch the news about the pandemic. Instead, get your information from reliable sources once or twice a day.
• Stay connected. Make a list of people to reach out to. Use video calls, phone calls, emails, texts or social media. 
• Check on elderly and disabled friends, relatives and neighbors. Offer to pick up groceries or prescriptions for them. 
• Embrace the extra time at home with your loved ones. Pull out the board games. Laugh at old family videos and pictures. Work on a home project together. 
• If you have children, now is a great time to teach them lessons about altruism. Show them examples of how communities are coming together. Help them contribute: Make cards for those in nursing homes where visitors are limited. Draw thank-you pictures for health care providers at your local hospital. 

Find ways to comfort yourself. Take a walk. Do yoga or practice deep breathing. Focus on your pet. Take a bubble bath. Or, immerse yourself in your favorite hobby.
If you are spiritual, follow practices at home that provide you with comfort and emotional strength. 

For the latest Paramount Advantage COVID-19 information and links to the CDC and Ohio Department of Health websites, please visit paramounthealthcare.com/covid-19.

Autism Awareness

April is Autism Awareness Month!

Autism is a disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder is found in 1 in 59 children according to the CDC. What is Autism? People with Autism often display behaviors that are restricted, repetitive and contain patterns. April 2nd will celebrate the 13th World Autism Day were tons of community members, landmarks, buildings and individual

homes all over the world will #LightItUpBlue to show support. 

The puzzle piece image that is often associated with Autism is to help show the complexity of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to Autism-Society.org, "The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition. The brightness of the ribbon signals hope — hope that through increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention and access to appropriate services/supports, people with autism will lead full lives able to interact with the world on the own terms."

Organizations like Autism Speaks offer information on ways that you can get involved with Autism based companies, ways that you can help fundraise and other ways that you can help spread awareness. Learn More Here!


For More Ways to Spread Awareness and to Learn More:

• National Institue of Mental Health: Autism Awareness
• Healthline.com/health/Autism
• CDC, Kids' Quest: Autism

Social..........Distancing

One of the ways that we as a society can fight the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is by social distancing. It is recommended that people stay 6 feet away from other people, especially those that are not in their household, during this process when out and about and to overall JUST STAY HOME if possible. It is understandable that not everyone is in a position to work from home and that not everyone has childcare, but we all need to do our part to minimize the risk of spreading this illness. 

Many companies and organizations are offering things like food delivery, free art classes and ways to engage with others without having direct contact. Television service providers are offering free services for the next couple of months and are also using the hashtag #AloneTogether to encourage people to stay in and binge-watch. 

Check out ways to healthy and distanced during this pandemic:

• Eight Ways to Stay Healthy During Coronavirus Social Distancing
• Google Doodle - Hand Washing
• Running outside during coronavirus
• COVID-19 #StuckAtHomeSafety Campaign
• The Un-Cancelled Project
• Social distancing means standing 6 feet apart. Here's what that actually looks like
• Social distancing basics for pregnant women

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding your baby is one of the biggest decisions a mother can make when they are raising their child. There are many benefits both mother and child can experience when breastfeeding however it is a personal choice that only the parents can decide. If you choose to go this route, here are some things that may be good to know: 

• Breast milk provides good nutrition for babies
• It contains antibodies to help fight off viruses, bacteria and reduce disease.
• Breast milk promotes a healthier body weight.
• You may lose pregnancy weight faster.
  
• Money and time will be saved. 

There is lots of support out there for new and new to be mothers that are having issues with lactation and latching. Many hospitals and health care providers either have information for parents or link them to it. There are also lots of organizations where mothers who produce extra milk can donate and help others in need.

If you cannot or choose not to breastfeed, that is ok too. There are resources out there for everyone. The main priority is that your baby receives adequate nutrition. 

Helpful Links:
Incredible facts about babies, breastmilk, and breastfeeding
Nationwide Breastfeeding Goals
Breastfeeding and Ohio WIC
OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank
Infant Formula Feeding

You Go Girl!

March 8th celebrated International Women's Day. This is a day that celebrates and recognizes the achievements made by women across the world as well as helps to bring awareness to the every day unique struggles that women face as well. The first International Women's Day was recognized in 1911 and now the entire month of March serves as Women's History Month. 

Throughout American history, women have made massive gains to society and their contributions are undoubtedly tremendous. From the life raft to kevlar to everyone's favorite game Monopoly, women have been some of the most creative people in history.

As we honor all of the important contributions by women this month, it is also important to shine awareness on the many risk factors that face women as well. Women seem to be more at risk for heart disease, breast cancer, and stroke. It is important to know your family history and to take care of your health to ensure a healthy future. 

Helpful Links:
Women's History Month
Women's Day 2020
10 Female Inventors You should Know about
Women's Health Conditions

You have to be Kidney-ing me!

What are your kidneys? These are organs that help your body pass waste and also help to filter your blood before sending it back to your heart. Your kidneys can also help by creating hormones that help produce red blood cells, promote bone health and regulate your blood pressure. 

It is important that you take care of your kidneys so that you do not develop one of the many kidney diseases and disorders that affect many Americans. People with poor kidney health may have kidney failure, kidney stones, cysts, UTI or maybe something more serious. Symptoms may include, trouble sleeping, fatigue, urinary issues, and muscle cramps. It is important to see a physician to get a correct diagnosis if any of these symptoms occur or worsen. 

There are many ways you can maintain good kidney health! Here are a few:

• Avoid extra salt and sodium
• Get 20 minutes of exercise a day
• Drink lots of water
• Be careful using anti-inflammatories and other medications that can cause kidney damage
• Get tested for diabetes and high blood pressure
• Know your family medical history

Learn More about Kidney Health:

8 Ways to Keep you Kidneys Healthy

6-Step Guide to Protecting Kidney Health

World Kidney Day

Become a Kidney Donor