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Telemedicine

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EmergeOrtho is doing our part statewide to provide exceptional orthopedic care. We are working to follow the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) task force recommendations for the safety of patients, doctors, staff, and community.

As an essential medical practice, EmergeOrtho is continuing to see patients in our offices. Our statewide physicians are taking steps to continue our commitment to patient-centered care by expanding our orthopedic Telemedicine services across the state.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the ‘fast-forward’ button on the wholesale embracing of Telemedicine by insurance carriers,” says EmergeOrtho-medical director, Dr. William Silver. “It’s a great opportunity to keep our patients, our staff, and our providers ‘socially distanced’ and help slow the spread of the virus.”

EmergeOrtho is making it simple and secure for you to connect with your doctor via a Telemedicine visit. Once you schedule a Telemedicine appointment with an EmergeOrtho doctor or other EmergeOrtho provider, you will be sent an appointment link via text message or email. There will be no need to download an app, create an account, or login to see your provider. At your scheduled appointment time, use the secure link from EmergeOrtho to check-in to the virtual waiting room. Then, your provider will start the virtual visit as soon as possible.

How Telemedicine Works At EmergeOrtho

Prior to COVID-19, EmergeOrtho has researched and found success with virtual office (Telemedicine) visits through our joint replacement consultations for commuting patients.

In addition to joint replacement consultations, there are other types of subspecialty orthopedic Telemedicine services that can be conducted virtually, which include:

  • New patient visits for new orthopedic conditions
  • Follow-up visits (including many post-surgical appointments)
  • Virtual diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions
  • Treatment options for select orthopedic-related injuries and conditions
  • Physical therapy treatment, recommendations, and follow-up consultations

In order to provide Telemedicine services, you will need to use one of the following to effectively communicate with your orthopedic doctor or provider:

  • Smartphone (cell/mobile phone)
  • iPod (or similar smart device) with camera
  • iPad (or similar tablet) with camera
  • Laptop with Camera

It is also important to make sure you have a decent-to-strong internet connection that is compatible with either Chrome or Safari Browser.

Learn more about how you and those you care for can receive the same high-quality, subspecialty orthopedic care, through virtual platforms such as Doxy.me on your phones, laptops, desktops, and other smart devices.

DOXY.ME USERS:

EmergeOrtho is using doxy.me to conduct Telemedicine visits. Doxy.me is a secure virtual platform available for patients to use safely from home. Learn more about how to ensure your microphone and camera are enabled for doxy.me.

iPhone Instructions

Android Instructions

What Issues Cannot be Addressed Using Telemedicine?

Although our physicians can address numerous orthopedic injuries and conditions virtually, there are a few types of visits that cannot be performed via a Telemedicine appointment, which include:

  • Viscosupplementation injections
  • Trigger-point Injections
  • Cortisone injections
  • Pre-op consultations
  • In–office procedures
  • Cast changes
  • Fracture care
  • Perform diagnostic imaging and x-rays

Please contact an EmergeOrtho team member to determine if a Telemedicine appointment is right for you.

What about Patient Privacy Guidelines?

While many regulatory barriers that existed prior to coronavirus have been temporarily paused, making Telemedicine more accessible to providers and patients, privacy is still strictly enforced. While HIPAA compliance allows for use of Telemedicine on smart devices, it prohibits the use of “public-facing” platforms (Facebook Live, Twitch, TikTok, etc.).

EmergeOrtho has selected a Telemedicine partner where data is encrypted, your sessions are anonymous, and none of your information is stored. Our vendor adheres to HIPAA, PIPEDA, and GDPR data privacy requirements.

As always, our EmergeOrtho doctors and staff are committed to your privacy, ensuring that your information is safely protected.

Will My Telemedicine Visit Be Covered by Insurance?

In light of the current health guidelines intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19, many insurance carriers are reimbursing Telemedicine visits. It is always wise to contact your insurance provider prior to scheduling medical services (including Telemedicine appointments) to confirm coverage. Medicare patients should click here to learn their state’s regulations regarding Telemedicine services coverage.

What if I Need Emergency Orthopedic Care?

Many of our orthopedic locations have facilities that remain open during this time to address orthopedic injuries and conditions that cannot be treated via Telemedicine such as sprains, strains, fractures, and infections. During this time, we continue to strive to meet the CDC recommendations for screenings, decontamination, and other health and safety precautions to minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Schedule Your Telemedicine Appointment

Thankfully, many musculoskeletal issues can be addressed through Telemedicine. If you are curious about whether your orthopedic injury or condition can be evaluated with a virtual visit or a virtual Physical Therapy session, start the scheduling process now. Or, call us at the following regional locations:

Blue Ridge Region: 828.785.4323 / Henderson Office: 828-698-4318
Coastal Region: 910-332-3800
Foothills Region: 866-324-2850
Triad Region: 336-545-5001
Triangle Region: 984.666.2201

Whether you need an in-office appointment or a Telemedicine appointment, EmergeOrtho is dedicated to providing evidence-based, personalized orthopedic care. Our ultimate goal is to help you Emerge Stronger. Healthier. Better.

Medical Advice Disclaimer

This website does not provide medical advice. The information on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For questions regarding a medical condition or treatment, seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers. Never disregard professional medical advice because of something you read on this website. If you need medical advice or treatment, click here to schedule an appointment.

Schedule Your Telemedicine Appointment.

EmergeOrtho is full of wonderful doctors! They make sure they go over every little thing and explain stuff so that you understand. I have 4 different doctors here and have been pleased with them all.

Michelle M

EMERGEORTHO PATIENT

They treat you with respect take the time to understand what your needs are and work toward that gold of fixing the problem. Very professional in everything they do I love going there for treatment can't say that about many healthcare systems. I recommend EmergeOrtho to everyone I see.

Ronnie W

EMERGEORTHO PATIENT

A New Level Of Orthopedic Care Has Emerged

As our patient, you will benefit from a full range of orthopedic services, specialties and technologies, including physical and hand therapy, advanced imaging services, and urgent care walk-in services providing immediate diagnosis and treatment for urgent orthopedic conditions.