Dermatology Services Now Available via Telehealth Technology to UnitedHealthcare Medicaid Beneficiaries in Rhode Island throu...
December 01 2016 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
“Teledermatology,” using online technology,
gives patients better access to care, and quicker diagnosis and
treatment
People enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicaid plan in Rhode
Island may now receive faster diagnosis and treatment of skin
disorders using remote digital imaging and telehealth technology
through Thundermist Health Center.
Thundermist’s primary care providers are able to deliver more
timely diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders through a new
e-consultation service. Physicians can capture and transmit digital
images of areas of concern during patient exams through a secure,
online electronic medical record. The physicians then receive a
diagnosis of the health concern within 48 business hours.
Through near real-time consultations with offsite
dermatologists, physicians can more quickly diagnose and treat
UnitedHealthcare Medicaid patients – especially those who may lack
easy access to dermatologists or other specialists – regardless of
which medical office they are visiting. According to a 2014 JAMA
Dermatology, the average wait time for an in-person appointment is
46 days.
“It was very easy to conduct an electronic consult for my
patient, and the results came back very quickly. I simply
transmitted a picture of the concern through our medical record,
and a licensed dermatologist reviewed it and provided diagnosis and
treatment recommendations,” said Dr. Sara Delaporta, the first care
provider in Rhode Island to conduct an electronic consult through
Thundermist. “This service gives my patients access to extremely
timely care.”
“We are collaborating with Thundermist on this innovative
technology to ensure our Medicaid members in Rhode Island will have
better access to quality care no matter where they live,” said
Patrice Cooper, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Rhode
Island.
Skin cancer and other skin-related issues are a significant
concern in Rhode Island. About 240 Rhode Islanders were diagnosed
with melanoma of the skin on average every year from 2007 through
2011, with an average of 33 people dying annually due to melanoma
during that same time period.
“We look forward to working with UnitedHealthcare on piloting
this great innovation. While many skin conditions are non-life
threatening, quick diagnosis and treatment can help individuals
heal – and for some with more serious conditions, save their
lives,” said Charles Jones, president and CEO of Thundermist. “This
system puts more specialty expertise and support in the hands of
the primary care provider, avoiding financial and
transportation-related barriers to care for our patients.”
Thundermist and UnitedHealthcare worked with Community Health
Center’s (CHC) Weitzman Institute of Middletown, Conn., to set up
and conduct the electronic consults. Weitzman’s Community eConsult
Network (CeCN) is used across the United States by care providers
seeking prompt access to high-quality specialty care for their
patients. CeCN was developed by practicing primary care physicians
and offers consultations in a variety of specialties, including
cardiology, orthopedics and pain management. The Jessie B. Cox
Trust funded CHC to develop the eConsult Network. In addition, the
Trust offered a challenge grant to Thundermist for
evaluation of its eConsult adoption.
UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company, is
using telehealth technology, care provider networks and benefit
plan/reimbursement programs to improve access and health outcomes
and reduce costs. UnitedHealthcare offers a broad portfolio of
clinical services that use telehealth technology, including
consumer-directed, telepsychiatry, remote home monitoring,
specialty consultation and other virtual services to assist care
providers in evaluating their patients’ clinical needs.
UnitedHealthcare serves nearly 300,000 Rhode Islanders with a
network of 17 hospitals and nearly 6,000 physicians and other care
providers statewide.
About Thundermist Health
CenterThundermist Health Center is a non-profit
community health center whose mission is to improve the lives of
patients and surrounding communities by delivering exceptional
health care that breaks down barriers and promotes healthy
lifestyles. Services include primary medical care, dental care,
behavioral health services, school-based health care, QuickCare,
pharmacy, Trans* Health Access, and nutritional services, in
particular a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program.
Thundermist has locations in West Warwick, Woonsocket, and
Wakefield. It serves clients regardless of insurance and ability to
pay. Thundermist Health Center is a Level 3 Patient-Centered
Medical Home, the highest level of recognition from the National
Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). In 2015, Thundermist
served more than 42,000 patients. www.thundermisthealth.org
About
UnitedHealthcareUnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping
people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health
care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and
sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company
offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for
individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and
their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and
contracts directly with more than 1 million physicians and care
professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities
nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and
well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at
www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.
Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth
Group.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161201005157/en/
Thundermist Health CenterMarlene Roberti,
401-235-6812MarleneRo@thundermisthealth.orgorUnitedHealthcareMaria
Gordon Shydlo, 914-933-4613maria_g_shydlo@uhc.com
UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024