IDAHO NARRATIVE REPORT HEADLINE WITH MAP

GENERAL THEME

ยท      COVID-19 is prompting a huge interest and growth in Telehealth with everyone rushing to acquire Telehealth equipment and expertise

ยท      Idaho has relaxed its Telehealth regulations and has issued temporary licenses allowing retired physicians from out of state to provide TeleHealth services for 120 days

ยท      Almost 300 physicians have already taken advantage of the temporary licenses and are practicing Telehealth with Idaho residents from outside Idaho

BENEFITS SO FAR

ยท      Almost no cancelations of Telehealth appointments, apparently because TeleHealth requires no travel time, effort, or money

ยท      Patients seem to open up more on the phone than they do in person

ยท      Improved compliance, perhaps because of greater family engagement; when family members listen in on the call theyโ€™re in a better position to assist the patient in following treatment, prescription, and therapy protocols

ยท      Even OBI and GI physicians are seeing more compliance and greater connectivity

ยท      One physician proudly announced an unintended result in his own practice: โ€œMy dialogue and communication skills have improved dramatically.โ€

ยท      Several others agreed and said they are seeing and hearing the same things

THE ONLY NEGATIVE

ยท      TeleHealth coding is tricky

TWO OTHER THINGS

ยท      One physicians said the distraction of COVID is reducing the focus on drugs among his patients with SUDs

ยท      Many patients are requesting opioid-free surgeries in order to prevent opioid addiction. The surgeries are still covered by insurance. Instead of opioids, those patients are taking Tylenol before the surgery and practicing breathing techniques.