Telemedicine Information

Dear Blue Fish patients and families,

In order to decrease the number of people who come to the office, we are happy to offer telemedicine visits via Doxy.me.  There are some things to know before utilizing this resource:

• Please read over the symptoms listed below that can be addressed via a telemedicine visit. It is not exhaustive.
• Please review the telemedicine consent form (please click toggle below).
• Obviously, a video visit lacks several things when compared to an in person visit such as:
  • A complete physical exam. Ear drums and lung sounds cannot be assessed, for example.
  • Testing for flu, strep, urinary tract infection to mention a few.
• Telemedicine is new to both our providers and our patients, so there will be a learning curve.  Comfort levels for both of us will improve.
• Technology, although a wonder of the modern age, brings its frustrations – “what’s my password”, “the screen is black”, “I can’t hear you”, “the connection dropped”, “you are a pixel person” to name a few. Please be patient with this technology and its users. We are anticipating ~10% of visits will have some sort of audio or video challenges. This will likely improve over time. Should a persistent disruption occur, the visit will be converted into an in office visit.
• A $50 charge will be made to the patient over the phone when a telemedicine visit is scheduled. We will file a claim with the insurance company. If the visit is covered by insurance, the $50 will be credited to your account. If the visit is not covered by insurance, the $50 will pay for the telemedicine visit.
• Should a telemedicine visit be changed to an in office visit, there will not be a charge for the telemedicine visit. The in office visit will be billed normally.
• If a lab test or simple physical exam needs to be done, (e.g. flu test, strep test, ear check, or lung check) you will be instructed how to proceed. The lab tests will be billed as if done during a normal, in office visit.

We at Blue Fish have known that telemedicine would become a norm over time, but this crisis is an opportunity to start it now. We are not sure to what extent it will be utilized after this pandemic passes. However, at this time we think it will be a normal part of our services in some form.

Telemedicine appropriate symptoms

• Skin problems
• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Itchy, red, or crusty eyes
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Minor injuries

Appropriate but may require an in-person exam

• Fever
• Ear pain
• Mild to moderate asthma symptoms (without sustained work of breathing or fast breathing)
• Abdominal pain (without RLQ pain or severe pain especially if worse with jumping)

Appropriate but may require an in-person test

• Urinary tract symptoms  (without fever, abdominal pain, malodorous/cloudy urine)
• Sore throat