SCTA COVID-19 Resources for South Carolina

The situation surrounding the COVID-19 crisis is rapidly changing, and the SC Telehealth Alliance is experiencing a high volume of inquiries and requests related to Telehealth services and COVID-19. To assist in responding to these requests, we have developed the following list of resources and links. Due to the rapidly changing circumstances, please refer to the links below for the most up-to-date information.

4/15/20 UPDATE: The SCTA is extending its premium doxy.me membership statewide at no cost to facilitate the use of telehealth services during this COVID-19 crisis. To request access, please complete this form and the SCTA team will create your account. Visit the doxy.me help center for information and videos on how to get started and utilize the platform.

South Carolina COVID-19 Updates

For most up to date info on the status of COVID-19 in South Carolina, please visit the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control website.

COVID-19 Online Screening

For patients with COVID-19 symptoms (respiratory infection, fever, cough, flu-like symptoms) or known exposure, please complete a Virtual Urgent Care visit to receive consultation and determine whether further testing is appropriate. In order to access the free consult, use the promo code COVID19.

• MUSC Health Virtual Urgent Care
  
  
• McLeod Telehealth
  
  
• Prisma Health Virtual Visit
  
  
• Roper St. Francis Healthcare Virtual Care

Also, Self Regional Healthcare is offering telephone screening. Call the COVID-19 Screening Line at (864) 725-4500.

COVID-19 Telehealth FAQs for SC Providers:

For any providers getting started with telehealth, the SCTA encourages you to reference the COVID-19 technical assistance document (PDF) recently released by the National Telehealth Resource Center Consortium.

The American Telehealth Association has created a summary of the key telehealth provisions in the CARES Act (H.R. 748), passed on March 27th.

What policies or laws should I know about before providing Telehealth?

• All SC practitioners should be familiar with South Carolina’s SC Telemedicine Act (S1035)
  
  
• Non-physician practitioners should be aware of additional guidelines or laws for their field. Please reach out to your respective licensing body for guidance.
  
  
• The SC Board of Medical Examiners is posting alerts related to changes in licensing, prescribing practices, and telemedicine. Stay up-to-date on SCLLR's website.
  
  
• Please review information from the DEA Diversion Control Division around changes in prescribing of controlled substances via telehealth for the duration of the public health emergency declaration. 

What platform should I use if proving telehealth services to my patients in their homes?

• The SCTA is extending its premium doxy.me membership statewide at no cost to facilitate the use of telehealth services during this COVID-19 crisis. To request access, please complete this form and the SCTA team will create your account. Visit the doxy.me help center for information and videos on how to get started and utilize the platform. 
  
  
• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a Notification of Enforcement Discretion for telehealth, which allows providers to use platforms such as Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Apple FaceTime for provision of telehealth services during this national emergency. Please review the notification as public-facing platforms are still excluded.
  
  
• The American Telehealth Association and the Consumer Technology Association have created a Digital Health Directory to help providers and patients find digital health technologies to connect to health care solutions.

Will I be reimbursed for the services I provide via telehealth to my patients in their homes?

• The telehealth reimbursement landscape is quickly changing as restrictions are being temporarily lifted in light of the COVID-19 crisis. To receive ongoing telehealth coverage and policy updates, we encourage everyone to visit the Center for Connected Healthcare Policy’s website and sign up for their listserv.
  
  
• The American Medical Association (AMA) has created a document outlining some special coding advice during the COVID-19 crisis.
  
  
• Medicare: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to make changes to telehealth reimbursement for Medicare beneficiaries for the duration of the COVID 19 crisis. Please refer to CMS' COVID-19 page for all updates, and specifically the Medicare Telemedicine Provider Fact Sheet (3/17/20) and the General Provider Telehealth and Telemedcine Toolkit (PDF).

• Blue Cross Blue Shield: BCBSSC does cover some telehealth visits into the home upon completion of virtual care services application (see telemedicine (CAM 032) and telehealth (CAM 176) policies). Policies around telehealth are likely to be lightened due to COVID-19. To stay up-to-date please reference the BCBSSC website.
  
  
• Medicaid: SC DHHS is actively working on a COVID-19 action plan and has posted numerous bulletins outlining temporary changes to telehealth reimbursement policy for the duration of the COVID 19 crisis.
  
  
• The SC Department of Insurance has a dedicated page its website that focuses on insurance industry developments in South Carolina pertaining to COVID-19.
  
  
• TRICARE has a dedicated COVID-19 page, which includes coverage information for telehealth visits and telemental health. You can also review the current TRICARE telehealth policy.
  
  
• Visit UnitedHealthcare's COVID-19 telehealth resource page for information regarding their telehealth policies during the COVID-19 crisis.