What can I and can't I do with telehealth visits?



Dear Home Care Leader,

Is there such thing as good news from the pandemic? In almost every circumstance, the answer to that has been no.

BUT, one thing health care entities of all kinds learned through the pandemic is the ability to continue workflow remotely.

Technology has provided an ENORMOUS opportunity to manage a home care agency from the office, and even remotely from anywhere with a computer.

In home care, with the updated regulations in Chapter 26 this year, there has been inclusions for Telehealth for both Class A & B. This is good news for many home care agencies who are trying to manage client communications, as well as things like supervisory visits for staff.

For Class A Agencies, here are some required tasks that can be completed via telehealth: 

- Nurse Aide supervisory visits that are required at least every 2 weeks
- For therapy, supervision of assistants
- For other healthcare services, supervision of assistants

An in-person visit is required to evaluate a consumer complaint related to delivery of care. Be sure to document if the visit took place in-person or via teleheatlh. 

CLASS A TELEHEALTH REGULATIONS

For Class B, here are some required tasks that can be completed via telehealth: 

- Caregiver supervisory visits that are required every 3 months
- Annual supervision and responding to consumer complaints NEEDS to be done in-person

Be sure to document if the visit took place in-person or via telehealth. 


CLASS B TELEHEALTH REGULATIONS

Use the telehealth regulations to help manage the time of your field team, as well as yourself. If you can complete a series of supervisory visits with telehealth at the office, instead of driving around town all day, that can be productive.
 

Keep rockin' out there.