Sanford Pediatrics is continuing to look for ways to provide the best care for our patients even in the midst of Covid. To ensure the safety of all of our patients and staff, we are carefully screening all of our patients’ needs via phone. Of course, the preferred method of evaluation and treatment is to see your child in the office, face to face. During the Covid pandemic that may not always be the safest way. Your child’s health is of utmost importance to us and we do our best to keep everyone safe. We are offering a couple of additional options for children if they are sick and need to be evaluated by a physician. We may suggest a “TELEHEALTH VISIT” or a “PARKING LOT VISIT” if you child is having an symptoms that may be Covid related.
WHAT IS TELEHEALTH AND WHEN SHOULD I USE IT?
Telehealth is the ability to evaluate your child and determine a plan of treatment by using modern technology. You do not have to have any specialized equipment. It can be done by your cell phone if you have an I phone, or via your home computer if you have a camera and speaker. Many homes have this ability due to virtual school. Using a phone or computer with a camera allows the doctor to actually see your child and assists in performing the evaluation. If you do not have an I phone or access to a camera, Telehealth can also be provided with a simple phone call. If your child has or has had in the past 48 hours symptoms of fever, cough, congestion, or known exposure to anyone who has tested positive for Covid in the past 14 days, we may recommend you visit with the physician via Telehealth. Keeping your child at home for their initial evaluation if indicated protects everyone. If your child has a medical need, call our office and we will help you determine the best plan of treatment for your child. If we recommend Telehealth for your child, we will help you through the process to do that. Most insurance companies consider Telehealth to be covered the same as they do for your in office visits. The co-pays and deductibles apply the same as they do in the office but they do consider it a “covered service”. Please feel free to contact your member services representatives if you have questions about your individual benefits.
WHAT IS A PARKING LOT VISIT AND WHEN SHOULD I USE IT?
A Parking Lot Visit, is available when you child needs to be seen in person, but has possible Covid symptoms but has not had a negative Covid test. To ensure the safety of your child and the other patients we have reserved spaces in our staff parking lot for Parking Lot Visits. If this is a good option for your visit the staff will direct you to come to the parking lot and where to park and call to check in on arrival. These appointment much be scheduled. We cannot see patients on a unannounced drive in basis. Once you arrive and park in your assigned space, the physician will come to the parking lot to evaluate your child, provide tests if needed and treat based on the exam and evaluation.
We look forward to being able to see all of our patients back in the office. Until we can safely do this we hope these additional options will be an acceptable alternative. Telehealth visits and parking lot visits are covered by your insurance based on your benefits. Insurance wise, parking lot visits are treated the same as an in office visit as you are seeing the physician, in person, face-to-face. Please ask a member of our staff if we can be of any further assistance.
