By Dr. Julie Daftari
Chief Medical Officer, United Healthcare of Kentucky

For Kentucky, one outcome of the COVID-19 crisis is the increasing and worthwhile dialogue about Telehealth – which may enable people to connect 24/7 with a health care provider via a digital device and avoid potential exposure risks associated with in-person trips to health care facilities.

Increasingly in Kentucky, Telehealth can be a relevant tool in a person’s health care toolbox. This is especially important for the 40 percent of Kentuckians who live in rural areas, meaning for some the nearest health care provider is 45 minutes (or more) away.

Telehealth may be particularly helpful as an initial option for medical advice related to COVID-19 and to help evaluate other possible health issues. But for some people who have never before leveraged this technology to access care, finding and using Telehealth can be a challenge.

So, as the buzz about Telehealth in Kentucky continues to rise, here are three tips that can help people more effectively take advantage of this technology:

Identify Available Resources: To find Telehealth resources, check with your care provider group, health benefit plan or employer. Nearly nine out of 10 employers offer Telehealth visits to their employees, as do many Medicare and Medicaid health plans (in some cases by telephone), and 76 percent of hospitals connect patients and care providers using video or other technology. In some cases, people can access Telehealth visits without cost sharing. Since the outbreak emerged, some health plans are now encouraging patients to use telephone or live videoconferencing (if available) to connect people with local network medical providers, waiving all cost sharing for COVID-19 related visits. This is especially important for people with certain complex conditions, such as diabetes or Parkinson’s disease, as it may enable them to “see” their own physician for acute or follow-up care and avoid potential exposure to the coronavirus during an in-person visit.

Understand Likely Next Steps: During a Telehealth visit, care providers can give general medical advice to evaluate possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing). While diagnostic testing services are not available through a Telehealth visit to help confirm a diagnosis for COVID-19 (if needed), care providers can help guide patients to a local care provider or public health authority for testing and follow-up care. Making these connections may help people take the appropriate steps in advance of an in-person test, which may help reduce the risk of your exposure and possible exposure to other patients and health care providers. For other illnesses (not COVID-19 related) that are treatable with medications, Telehealth care providers can write prescriptions and discuss how to obtain them safely, such as using medication home delivery or drive-thru pickup at a local pharmacy. Due to the COVID-19 situation, it is important to note that people may anticipate potential wait times, as some care providers offering Telehealth may be currently experiencing a surge in appointments.

Access Other Health Services: While elective health care procedures may be delayed to help enable care providers to focus on COVID-19 cases, Telehealth may help people more effectively manage other health issues without the need to go out and risk potential exposure to the virus. Telehealth can help address myriad medical issues, including allergies, pinkeye, fevers, rashes and the regular flu. In addition, so much time at home can also contribute to behavioral health issues, so people should consider Telehealth as a resource to connect with a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist. Importantly, people who experience a significant or serious medical issue should go to the emergency room (ER).

By considering these tips, Kentuckians may be able to more effectively use Telehealth resources to help stay safe during these challenging times.