Understanding Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) can be complicated when compared to minimum value, essential health benefits, and actuarial value.
Let’s start by answering what is it and what does it cover? Minimum Essential Coverage is a plan that meets the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements for health coverage.
Hospitals and doctor’s offices seem like the worst place to be during a pandemic. Many medical offices, hospitals, and surgeons canceled non-emergency procedures to accommodate the influx of coronavirus cases. Knowing that the numbers of cases are still high, it may be anxiety-inducing to go back to the doctor for your normal check-up. Businesses have started to reopen, and doctors have started to schedule more non-emergency procedures. Is it safe to go back to the doctor’s office?
Looking for ways to attract the best employees in a market where thousands of employees have been laid off? Offering voluntary benefits adds a level of insurance coverage that many workers have not previously had access to. Benefits beyond the traditional 401(k) and health insurance are vital to attracting the right talent for your business.
With all the recent changes to employment due to the global pandemic, navigating ACA compliance can be challenging. ACA noncompliance may lead to shared responsibility payments. Businesses with 50 or more full-time employees must offer affordable, minimum essential health coverage.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services, such as Zoom diagnoses became a necessity. These phone and video calls help patients protect themselves and others by quarantining and remaining safely in their homes.
However, after years of visiting healthcare professionals in person, many patients can’t help but ask the question: Can a doctor really diagnose over Zoom?
The short answer: Yes, doctors can absolutely provide accurate diagnoses and medical assistance over a video call. Telemedicine services help patients receive the care they deserve at the right time and place.
Read on to learn more about how to utilize telehealth services. Let’s start with a definition.
Telehealth, also commonly referred to as common medicine, allows healthcare providers to connect with patients without an in-person visit. Telehealth services are provided primarily online or via smartphone through video chats or phone calls.
The American Medical Association is working to maximize telemedicine service options to revolutionize healthcare. While the highly contagious nature of the COVID-19 virus drove this change, telehealth can help patients facing other medical issues or illnesses as well as those who may struggle to get to the doctor in person.
Patients may struggle to attend in-person visits to the doctor for many reasons. For example, many patients may have difficulty getting time off work or may be responsible for watching children at home and find it challenging to find a sitter. Additionally, telemedicine services can also help those who have had non-urgent medical care postponed due to the pandemic or patients whose medical resources are greatly limited in their area.
Patients should not have to receive less than the medical care they deserve because of these difficulties. Telehealth services allow patients to easily hop on a video visit and get the same results as going to the doctor.
Drs. Francavilla Brown and Boyd told AMA that telemedicine “is easier than people think it is to incorporate into a practice.”
With technological advancements typically come progress and challenges. Physicians who have tried implementing telemedicine have identified these challenges and have come up with a few solutions.
One challenge is patients may not have a good signal to support their doctor’s visit. The trouble with a weak signal may make the appointment longer or impossible for someone who really needs it. Another challenge physicians have identified is booking appointments to be a televisit for doctor’s offices. The patient must call into the office to ensure their appointment is virtual.
While telehealth services may not be the best option for detecting major issues, it has been great for reassessing and monitoring patients who have known problems. It can also be used to adjust medications, answer questions, and share information.
These services also help people avoid unnecessary hospital visits, which helps to give advice at a distance, save time, and reduce costs for both patients and doctors. Not only will it help avoid hospital visits when they aren’t necessary, but it will also give patients in the hospital the ability to discharge sooner by monitoring their vitals with telemedicine.
Virtual visits with your doctor have started to become the new normal in a post-COVID world. At SBMA, we offer telemedicine services at competitive prices. Learn more about our services.
Read on for the pros and cons of telemedicine.