Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Otolaryngologists , Otolaryngology , Patient Care , Telemedicine , COVID-19/economics , Humans , Medicare/economics , Outpatients , Physician-Patient Relations , Prospective Payment System/economics , Telemedicine/economics , Telemedicine/methods , United StatesABSTRACT
The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has created a deadly pandemic that is now significantly impacting the United States. Otolaryngologists are considered high risk for contracting disease, as the virus resides in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and oropharynx. While valuable work has been publicized regarding several topics in Rhinology, we discuss other aspects of our specialty in further detail. There are several issues regarding Rhinologic practice that need to be clarified both for the current epidemic as well as for future expected "waves." In addition, as the pandemic dies down, guidelines are needed to optimize safe practices as we start seeing more patients again. These include protocols pertinent to safety, in-office Rhinologic procedures, the substitution of imaging for endoscopy, and understanding the appropriate role of telemedicine. We discuss these aspects of Rhinology as well as practical concerns relating to telemedicine and billing, as these issues take on increasing importance for Rhinologists both in the present and the future.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control , Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional/prevention & control , Occupational Health , Otolaryngology/trends , Pandemics/prevention & control , Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control , Telemedicine/organization & administration , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Female , Forecasting , Humans , Infection Control/methods , Male , Otolaryngologists/statistics & numerical data , Otolaryngology/methods , Pandemics/statistics & numerical data , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly and radically altered how Otolaryngologists provide patient care in the outpatient setting. Continuity of care with established patients as well as establishment of a professional relationship with new patients is challenging during this Public Health Emergency (PHE). Many geographic areas are under "stay at home" or "shelter in place" directives from state and local governments to avoid COVID-19 exposure risks. Medicare has recently allowed "broad flexibilities to furnish services using remote communications technology to avoid exposure risks to health care providers, patients, and the community." [1] The implementation of telemedicine, or virtual, services, will help the Otolaryngologists provide needed care to patients while mitigating the clinical and financial impact of the pandemic. The significant coding and billing issues related to implementing telemedicine services are discussed to promote acceptance of this technology by the practicing Otolaryngologist. Of particular importance, outpatient visit Current Procedural Terminology® codes (99201-99215) may be used for telehealth visits performed in real-time audio and video.