Special COVID-19 Webinar: The Impact of COVID-19 on HBPC Providers, Practices and Patients

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The webinar "The Impact of COVID‐19 on Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Providers, Practices, and Patients," held on March 26, 2020, and hosted by HCCIntelligence™, focused on the adaptations necessitated by the pandemic for HBPC programs. Key speakers from leading institutions like Mount Sinai at Home (NYC), UCSF Care at Home, University of Wisconsin Health, and Northwestern Medicine shared their protocols, strategies, and experiences.<br /><br />Major highlighted topics included:<br /><br />1. **COVID-19 Protocols and Guidelines**: Emphasis was placed on proactive measures like pre-visit screening, remote patient monitoring, and telehealth readiness to ensure continuity of care while minimizing risk.<br /><br />2. **Telemedicine**: Implementation of telehealth services was discussed, detailing the necessary technological requirements, billing codes, and CMS's relaxed rules to facilitate broader telehealth usage. Effective patient communication and proper documentation are crucial for compliance and maximizing patient care through virtual means.<br /><br />3. **PPE Use and Conservation**: Guidelines were shared on using personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately, including protocols for re-using masks and face shields. Methods to reassure patients and encourage PPE conservation were outlined.<br /><br />4. **Medicare Policy Adjustments**: Amidst the pandemic, Medicare modified rules to allow telehealth services to be billed at the same rate as in-person visits, thereby facilitating remote care. Details on relevant CPT codes, billing requirements, and documentation practices were provided.<br /><br />5. **Special Concerns**: Speakers discussed the unique challenges faced by HBPC providers, such as caregiver support, supply shortages, workforce burnout, and the need for risk stratification to prioritize in-person visits.<br /><br />6. **Educational Resources**: The webinar underscored the importance of ongoing education and support for healthcare providers via groups, online resources, and future webinars focusing on COVID-19 updates.<br /><br />By adapting to these protocols and leveraging telemedicine, HBPC providers aim to maintain high standards of patient care while safeguarding the health of both patients and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

Keywords

COVID-19

Home-Based Primary Care

HBPC

Telemedicine

PPE

Medicare Policy

Remote Patient Monitoring

Telehealth

Healthcare Providers

Pandemic Adaptations