PBN SUMMIT | HEALTH CARE Panelists argue continued telehealth coverage a must BY ALEXA GAGOSZ | Gagosz@PBN.com
WHILE TELEHEALTH HAS been critical for providers to check in on many of their patients during the pandemic, Marie L. Ganim, R.I. health insurance commissioner, says it’s been “a lifesaver” that has improved attendance and lowered no-show rates for those seeking mental health care virtually. “Our behavioral health crisis in Rhode Island is almost just as concerning as our COVID-19 crisis in Rhode Island,” Ganim said during PBN’s virtual Health Care Summit on Oct. 29. “And it has gotten worse with the [COVID-19] crisis. These two things are related.” Ganim said there’s been a spike in visits and success in connecting patients with their providers. “Telemedicine made up for the early loss of in-person care,” said Ganim. “And providers are telling us that they can successfully provide care.” Ganim was one of several panelists at the summit who made the case for continuing insurance coverage of telemedicine, even after the coronavi-
rus crisis has passed. Joining Ganim in the event’s first panel discussion was Dr. James E. Fanale, CEO and president of Care New England Health System; Dr. Alan Kurose, Coastal Medical Inc. CEO; and Dr. Kenneth Wood, Lifespan Corp. executive vice president and chief clinical officer. Many of the speakers echoed Ganim’s sentiments: that telemedicine efforts by providers, which have been conducted by both videocon-
‘It’s essential that we stay connected with patients.’ DR. ALAN KUROSE, Coastal Medical Inc. CEO ferencing and by phone, have made up much of the care in some health systems in Rhode Island for the last eight months. Kurose said that 54% of the encounters at Coastal Medical have been conducted by telehealth while 46% have been face to face. “We can’t go much [more] above [46%],” he said, citing the high prevalence of the coronavirus in Rhode Island as cases continue to climb, with the positive test rate edging above 5% and the need to develop socially distanced floor plans in offices. Prior to the pandemic, Coastal was not conducting videoconference vis-
its but had planned to do so. Within two weeks of the coronavirus hitting Rhode Island, Kurose said the system was conducting 500 videoconferences per day. “It’s essential that we stay connected with patients during this period of time,” said Kurose. “I think the patient that is most at risk is the one who is isolated.” Tufts Health Plan expanded telehealth services to children and adolescents, which “has been critical,” according to Dr. Claire Levesque, Tufts chief medical officer who participated in the summit’s second panel discussion. As anxiety and de-
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