This information is now outdated. Please see our dedicated Telehealth page for up to date information.

Avantaclinic.com/telehealth

Updated: 12/14/2020

(Click on icon above to learn more about Google Meet.)

At Avanta Clinic LLC, we are implementing Telehealth Encounters to take care of patients suspected of having COVID-19 and our high-risk patients.

We will be using GSuite HIPAA Compliant Google Hangouts Meet technology to conduct video visits.

Hardware Requirements:

• Any modern computer with camera and microphone

• Running the latest Windows or Mac OS operating system

• Latest version of any web browser (Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox)

• If you don’t have access to a computer, you can also download “Google Hangouts Meet” application from the Apple or Google App Store and follow the instructions below.

Video Chat Instructions:

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• At the time you book an appointment with us, we will give you a meeting code.

• (If you are a new patient, we will send you an email with a link to create an account on the patient portal. Please review and sign the “Consent and Acknowledgment Form” to consent for treatment before we can conduct the video visit - see photo. Please note that you will need a computer to sign this form as it is NOT available from smartphone).

• 5-10 minutes before your appointment, a Medical Assistant will call you to verify your insurance, allergies, medications and other clinical information.

• During the call please open your web browser or Google Meet app on your smartphone.

  • If using a browser go to meet.google.com in your browser.

• Enter the meeting code in the appropriate location (see photo).

• (If you are a new patient or your insurance has changed, an MA will join the video chat. Please have your Insurance and photo ID ready. We will ask you to hold it up to the screen so that we can take a picture [screenshot] and add it your medical record).

• The Medical Assistant will exit the Video Chat and Dr. Bansal or Robin will join the meeting to conduct a video visit.

• At the end of your appointment your prescriptions (if any) will be sent electronically to your pharmacy. Any labs or imaging orders will be sent electronically, but will also be mailed to you.

Telehealth FAQ

Will my insurance cover Telehealth encounters?

As of 03/13/2020 Medicare and Medicaid have declared that they will cover Telehealth encounters. 

We have updated our home page with coverage policies from the various insurance policies.

How much will a Telehealth encounter cost?

Reimbursement for Telehealth depends on each insurance company. Some are reimbursing at regular office visit rates, while others are reimbursing at a lower rate. Copay and/or deductible may apply per your insurance policy depending on the reason for visit. Most insurers are waiving cost sharing for COVID-19 related Telehealth visits. Please check with your insurance company for your out-of-pocket costs.

What if I need to be tested?

We will not be performing any COVID-19 testing in the office. CDC recommends using protective equipment to collect samples and we do not have the necessary equipment.

If you need to get tested, we will order the test so that you can get testing at a drive-through testing site. Please note you will need to ask a non-exposed family or friend to pick up the lab order slip as currently there is no way for us to send these electronically. We are working with Trinity Health of New England to try to fax the orders so that you don’t have to come to the office to pick up the lab slip.

If you need any other tests (e.g. flu swab), then we may ask you to come to the office to get tested after you have tested negative for COVID-19 to avoid exposure to office staff (we don’t have CDC recommended protective equipment).

Is Telehealth encounter only for people suspected of having COVID-19?

In addition to people with suspected COVID-19, we are offering to Telehealth encounters to other patients on a case by case basis based on the following:

• Insurance coverage

• People with multiple medical problems who are at high risk if they contract COVID-19

• Encounters that don’t need in-office testing (e.g. EKG, HbA1c, lung function test)

• Medical issues that don’t require in-office visit physical exam

• Do not require prescription of “controlled substances” such as pain medications

• People are not scheduled for Annual Physicals or Medicare Annual Wellness Visits

What is the “Coronavirus?” 

“Coronavirus” is an umbrella term for a class of viruses that include many of the common cold viruses. This specific virus is now referred to as SARS-CoV-2  and the disease is called COVID-19.

Is it deadly? 

As of March 4, the worldwide mortality rate is approximately 3.4% according to WHO. It can reach up to 21.9% for those over 80 years old. The mortality rate may be revised to a lower number as recent reports suggest that most COVID-19 infections are milder than what was initially reported.

How does the virus spread? 

The virus is spread from person to person by droplets when speaking, sneezing and coughing. This is the same method of transmission as the flu and the common cold. It may also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one’s face.

What are the symptoms? 

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms, call your provider. Many other viruses and some bacteria can cause these symptoms as well. If you have had contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, let your provider know over the phone.

Who is most at risk? 

People with decreased immune systems such as older adults, and people with chronic diseases such diabetes, cancer and COPD are at higher risk. 

While children tend to have less severe disease if they get it, they tend to transmit it more because they are not as careful with precautions. 

While your chances of dying from COVID-19 are low, your chances of transmitting it is high. If you are asked to stay home or if schools are closed, it is to protect the more vulnerable members in our community. 

What can I do? 

• Staying home: The number one thing you can do is to stay home when you are sick. The less face to face interaction you have the lower the chances of spreading the virus. 

• Wash your hands: Washing hands frequently, especially after being in public is a good way to lessen the spread of many infections. 

• Avoid shaking hands. 

• Avoid crowded areas even when you feel well. 

• Avoid touching your face. 

What does not help? 

• Using masks: The masks that you find in doctors offices are “breathable” and allow viruses to pass through. This will not stop you from getting sick. 

• Rushing out to get a flu shot: The flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, as it is a completely different virus. Getting the flu shot every year is a great idea. It will protect against the flu, but it does not protect against COVID-19. 

• Panicking: As it stands currently, you are more likely to get the flu than COVID-19. 

What are we doing at Avanta Clinic?

For people with suspected symptoms, we are taking a thorough travel history to identify those at risk. As of today, we have not seen anyone with suspected COVID-19.

What are we doing personally to protect ourselves? 

Robin and I are not doing anything differently than for normal cold and flu season. We wash our hands frequently, avoid touching our faces, and try to get our toddler to cough into his arm. We are avoiding large crowded areas if at all possible, but we do our grocery shopping and take our son to the library as usual. Our son is still going to daycare, and we are still getting together with friends and family over the weekends. Last week we took our toddler to Hibachi for the first time. 

Please note that there is a lot of bad information online. Please refer to this CDC and WHO for accurate, up to date information.