Dear Manet Patients,
We understand these are trying times and that you may have concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how to best keep you and your family, friends and neighbors safe and healthy. Please know that our health care team, including providers who are experts in infectious disease, is closely attuned to the quickly changing situation, well prepared to respond to our patients’ needs and proud to serve as a vital resource for our community.
We also understand that you may have other health issues that are unrelated to COVID-19, but you may be concerned about coming to the health center given the current restrictions and recommendations about social distancing and public gatherings. While we are taking measures to ensure that our health centers are safe – such as screening everyone who enters the health center and practicing extra cleaning and sanitizing procedures – we want you to know that, in addition to traditional in-person health care, we are also offering Telehealth Services for many routine visits, as well as behavioral health and medication assisted treatment.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth is the delivery of health care services between a provider and a patient who are not in the same physical location, using an interactive audiovisual system. So, instead of coming to the health center for your visit, you can meet with your provider using Zoom Telehealth Video Conferencing in a way similar to how you would Skype or FaceTime with your friends and family.
Manet’s telehealth services are secure, HIPAA compliant and user friendly. However, telehealth is not suitable for every type of health care visit. Before you can participate in telehealth services, your provider must agree that telehealth is appropriate for you and you are always free to choose an in-person visit instead.
How to make a telehealth appointment
If you would like to schedule a telehealth appointment or would like to change an already scheduled in-person appointment to a telehealth visit, please call your Manet practice location and leave a message for the nurse. The nurse will review the request with your provider, and if appropriate, a Telehealth visit will be scheduled.
You will then receive an e-mail invitation with a link that will connect you to your appointment at your scheduled time. To participate in a telehealth visit, you must have access to a computer or smartphone and have internet access.
Stay Connected
We hope that providing you with this option to connect to your health care provider gives you some peace of mind during this stressful time. Please look to our website (www.manetchc.org) and FaceBook page (www.Facebook.com/ManetCommunityHealthCenter) for more Manet news and updates. We also recommend that you rely on other trusted sources for your information, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
We will leave you with a final reminder to take good care of yourself and remember to maintain social distancing and wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands!
Respectfully,
Cynthia Sierra, MA, Chief Executive Officer
Lily Yung, MD, Chief Medical Officer