With the COVID-19 pandemic, most people are staying home and practicing social distancing for the foreseeable future. Yet, if you suffer an orthopedic injury and become limited by pain, swelling or loss of motion, Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics may be able to help through our new telehealth program, developed in rapid response to the unique patient needs created by COVID-19 social distancing.
Telehealth technology allows you to discuss your condition with our board-certified physicians online. Telehealth appointments are now available to current and new patients – just call us at 913-319-7600 to schedule. For new patients who haven’t received a diagnosis yet, there are limits to the interventions we can provide without an office visit, but our telehealth program can get you moving toward recovery faster. Check out the video and FAQs below for more information:
How do telehealth visits work?
When you call to inquire about seeing one of our physicians, you will be asked a series of questions, including whether the injury is acute, painful or limiting function. We will also ask whether you have telehealth capabilities in your home, which means having an internet-connected device with a camera allowing for both audio and video streaming.
If the injury can be assessed and a plan of care and treatment program can be established through a telehealth visit, we will make that recommendation and schedule your telehealth appointment time.
Does insurance cover this type of visit?
Most insurance companies will pay for telehealth visits, especially as access to in-person visits decreases because of concerns about coronavirus exposure. We will verify your benefits, including telehealth coverage, before your appointment. You can also call your insurance carrier to better understand your coverages and responsibilities for telehealth interventions.
Patients can’t get X-rays or MRIs during telehealth visits. How will they be diagnosed? *
If there’s suspicion of a fracture, tendon rupture, disk herniation or joint dislocation, an imaging study will be recommended before proceeding, which would require an in-person visit. Our physicians are trained to take extensive medical histories, including questions about the mechanism of injury, type and location of pain, and how the injury is limiting function.
This history, along with the ability to view your movement and the injured body part, allows us to diagnose many conditions accurately and safely. We can get patients started on appropriate interventions such as physical or occupational therapy, medications to reduce pain and swelling, or advice on the usage of ice, heat or other modalities to help with the condition.
If you would like to learn more, please call us today at 913-319-7600 to see if a telehealth appointment is a solution for you. Thank you for your trust in Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics!
*Not all conditions or instances are appropriate for telehealth. The assigned physician will make the decision about the type of consultation necessary for each patient.
About Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics
Since 1923, Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics has provided high-quality orthopedic care. Our patient care team includes board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and physiatrists, as well as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, durable medical equipment specialists and more. With two convenient locations in Leawood and Kansas City, Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics offers surgical and non-surgical treatment options across all subspecialties of orthopedic medicine.
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The medical information contained in the Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics website is provided to increase your knowledge and understanding of orthopedic conditions. This information should not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific medical or surgical treatment plan. As each patient may have specific symptoms or associated problems, the treatment regimen for a specific patient may not be the proper treatment for another.
Gaining knowledge and understanding of a particular problem or condition is the first step in any medical treatment plan. We believe the information presented on our website will be helpful for those individuals experiencing hand and wrist diseases, injuries, or other related problems. However, this information is not intended to replace the advice of your family physician. You are encouraged to consult with your physician to discuss any course of treatment presented or suggested.
