Chip & Paulie Webinar 8 (May 7, 2020)
Chip & Paulie provided essential updates and guidance for pediatric practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, including handling legal concerns, billing and coding updates, and strategies for effective self-promotion and patient recall. Practice management tips emphasized the importance of budgeting, maintaining communication with patients, and staying updated with local health guidelines, insurance policies, and legal requirements to ensure safe and effective operation. A toolkit from the Louisiana AAP Chapter was highlighted to help practices formulate strategies to encourage patients to return for necessary visits and vaccinations, underscoring the critical role pediatric practices play in public health.
Guests: Jan Blanchard, Dr. Nola Ernest, and Dr. Jesse Hackell
Summary
1. Importance of effective communication and promotion, both internally and externally, to maintain trust and showcase credibility during the COVID-19 crisis.
2. Practices should utilize various methods, including email, text messaging, and social media, to engage with patients and direct them to their websites for more information.
3. Telemedicine has become a necessity with distinct limitations and must be approached with proper documentation, patient consent, and acknowledgment of its differences from in-person visits.
4. Legal considerations for COVID-related practice changes include verifying medical liability coverage for telemedicine, maintaining thorough documentation, and understanding state and federal legal protections.
5. Government financial support programs like the PPP and EIDL require careful documentation and specific usage to ensure forgivability and compliance.
6. Practices should focus on long-term financial planning, including budgeting and securing lines of credit, to maintain solvency during uncertain times.
7. Patient recall strategies should be implemented for various health needs such as overdue well visits, vaccinations, chronic conditions, and mental health services.
8. Proper coding for telemedicine and phone consultations is crucial; Medicare's recent updates to reimbursement for telephone E/M services set a precedent for other payers.
9. Practices should consider building a library of resources, including pre-visit and post-visit materials, to engage and educate patients on a variety of health topics.
10. Leaders within pediatric practices must navigate these challenges with open communication, teamwork, and a strong focus on maintaining the medical home for their patients.
