Author Archives: Encounter Telehealth

Encounter Telehealth Awards ‘Certificates of Excellence in Mental Health Care’

OMAHA, Neb. /ScoopCloud/ -- Encounter Telehealth awarded their partner facilities 'Certificates of Excellence in Mental Health Care' for their perseverance and dedication to the mental health needs of their residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This past year has been wrought with unprecedented challenges and hurdles for the staff and residents of our senior living community partners," explains Jennifer Amis, President and CEO of Encounter Telehealth.

"Through everything, the care teams at these facilities have gone above and beyond to ensure the mental health and wellness for their residents. They truly deserve special commendation."

Depression and anxiety hit an all-time high for older adults amid the pandemic. Recent studies determined that 1 in 4 older adults have experienced depression and anxiety since the pandemic began. Lockdowns, loneliness, fear, and loss have contributed to a mental health epidemic in an already struggling population.

In 2020, throughout the pandemic, Encounter Telehealth conducted over 10,000 telehealth encounters for residents of senior care communities. The staff at these communities have embraced the Encounter Team as an extension of their own care teams. The collaboration between Encounter and their partner facilities has improved the mental health and quality of life for residents and staff members.

About Encounter Telehealth

Encounter Telehealth supports the mental and behavioral health needs of residents in senior care communities. Our services include psychiatric evaluations, medication management, mental health therapy for both residents and their family members, after hours care, and staff training. Our communities include skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, independent living, memory care, home health care, ICF/IID facilities, Veterans Homes, and corrections. Our patients receive specialized, evidence-based mental health care regardless of where they live.

Learn more at http://www.encounter.health/ or by emailing us at info@encounter.health.

Twitter: @EncounterPsych

Facebook: @EncounterTelespychiatry

LinkedIn: @EncounterTelehealthLLC

Instagram: @encountertelehealth

QUOTES:

"Jenkins Living Center is located in Watertown, South Dakota -- a rural area in the northeastern corner of the state. Our community lacks the services of a psychiatrist, and scheduling visits with a clinical psychology would often take weeks before the resident could be seen. When we signed on with Encounter, we immediately saw an improvement in mental health services for our resident population. The telehealth psychologists that have served our facility have been extremely responsive whenever we have needed a consultation, and they are very engaged when visiting with our residents and staff. They thoroughly review the residents' medical records prior to visits and do an outstanding job of follow-up regarding efficacy of medications they have prescribed. Overall, the well-being of our residents who need mental health consultations has improved dramatically since we began to partner with Encounter," said Loren Dietman, President and CEO of Jenkins Living Center.

"The majority of our residents being followed by Encounter have had improved mental health. Behaviors have decreased, which has helped the environment for both the residents and employees. Residents' mental health is more stable," said Nicholas Guerrette, Administrator at Borderview Rehabilitation and Living Center.

Encounter Telehealth awarded their partner facilities 'Certificates of Excellence in Mental Health Care' for their perseverance and dedication to the mental health needs of their residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related link: https://www.encounter.health/

Encounter Telehealth Among 340 Organizations That Sent Letter to Congress Urging Action on Telehealth

OMAHA, Neb. /ScoopCloud/ -- Encounter Telehealth joined 340 organizations in signing a letter urging Congressional leaders to make telehealth flexibilities catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic permanent. This multi-stakeholder letter is represented by leaders in a wide range of healthcare industries from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

At the start of the pandemic Congress quickly waived barriers, such as geographic and site restrictions, to allow for the expansion of telehealth. This enabled federal agencies to allow providers to deliver care virtually to their patients, and made telehealth available to all Medicare recipients. This revolutionized healthcare for residents of rural communities, skilled nursing facilities, and many more.

If Congress does not act before the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, the current flexibilities and allowances will disappear-leaving millions without access to telehealth. Therefore, 340 stakeholders have drafted and sent a letter to Congress explaining the urgent and necessary steps that need to be taken to ensure the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has the authority to make these telehealth allowances permanent.

These urgent actions include:
* Remove obsolete restrictions on the location of the patient to ensure that all patients can access care at home, and other appropriate locations
* Maintain and enhance HHS authority to determine appropriate providers and services for telehealth
* Ensure Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics can furnish telehealth services after the public health emergency
* Make permanent Health and Human Services (HHS) temporary waiver authority for future emergencies.

It is imperative that CMS have the authority to expand access to telehealth based on data gathered from experience gained through the pandemic. Telehealth fulfilled a vital role allowing patients to be screened, evaluated, and to continue services and management throughout the pandemic. Patients deserve broad access to healthcare regardless of geographical restrictions or national emergencies.

Encounter Telehealth, LLC has joined 340 organizations such as the American Psychological Association, American Telemedicine Association, and the American Nurses Association in signing this letter. Read the letter here: http://connectwithcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Post-COVID-Telehealth-Priorities-Group-Letter-FIN.pdf

Learn more about Encounter Telehealth, LLC at: https://www.encounter.health/

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Rigsby
amanda.rigsby@encountertelehealth.com

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Encounter Telehealth joined 340 organizations in signing a letter urging Congressional leaders to make telehealth flexibilities catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic permanent. This multi-stakeholder letter is represented by leaders in a wide range of healthcare industries from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Related link: https://www.encounter.health/

MEDIA ADVISORY: Healthcare Stakeholders Comment on Special Registration for Telehealth

OMAHA, Neb. /ScoopCloud/ -- Encounter Telehealth, along with a number of healthcare stakeholders, submitted a letter with comments on the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) implementation of a Special Registration provision for telehealth under the Ryan Haight Act.

This letter strongly urged the DEA to consider how the design of the process and criteria for special registrations for controlled substance prescribing through telehealth can positively or negatively impact patients living with serious, chronic, and disabling conditions-such as depression, anxiety, dementia, schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and many other conditions-in underserved communities.

To view more on the importance of Special Registration for Telemedicine Act of 2018, please read the full letter to the DEA HERE: https://www.americantelemed.org/policies/stakeholder-letter-to-dea-on-ryan-haight-special-registration/

Encounter Telehealth serves patients in rural communities across America. Many patients are residents in rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities. These patients suffer from debilitating conditions that make receiving healthcare outside of the facility extremely taxing for both patients and staff.

Encounter Telehealth is joined by the following national organizations in order to highlight the immense potential of telehealth:
* Alyvant, Inc.
* American Association of Nurse Practitioners
* The American Telemedicine Association
* Bipartisan Policy Center
* Centerstone
* Cognitive Psychiatry of Chapel Hill PLLC
* Encounter Telehealth
* Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
* HealthyWomen
* Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
* InnovaTel Telepsychiatry
* InSight Telepsychiatry
* InTouch Health
* Men's Health Network
* National Hispanic Medical Association
* National Minority Quality Forum
* Ochsner Health System
* Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
* Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA)

About Encounter Telehealth:

Encounter Telehealth, based in Omaha, Nebraska, was founded in 2012 with a mission to provide access to quality mental and behavioral healthcare. Our providers offer psychiatric medication management, staff training, evaluations, and therapy over a video telehealth platform to patients across America. Learn more: https://www.encounter.health/

Media Only Contact:
Jen Amis
(402) 590-2548
jen.amis@encountertelehealth.com

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Encounter Telehealth, along with a number of healthcare stakeholders, submitted a letter with comments on the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) implementation of a Special Registration provision for telehealth under the Ryan Haight Act.

Related link: https://www.encounter.health/

Anti-Psychotic Drug Reduction in Skilled Nursing Facilities Through Telepsychiatry

OMAHA, Neb. /ScoopCloud/ -- An Encounter Telehealth analysis of 40 skilled nursing facility partners in Iowa revealed a 6.7% reduction in the use of anti-psychotics. This reduction occurred after an average of 14 months of partnering with Encounter on psychiatric care. The national average was less than a 4% reduction during the same period.

The analysis shows the percentage of anti-psychotic drug use among facilities in 2015, prior to working with Encounter, and in 2018.

The data comes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and can be accessed on CMS Nursing Home Compare: https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html

Of the 443 nursing homes in Iowa, the 40 facilities that Encounter Telehealth partners with have shown an average 6.7% reduction in the use of anti-psychotics between 2015 and 2018. Some facilities have shown substantial reductions, including one facility that went from 28.6% in 2015 to a low 7.3% in 2018. That is a 21.3% decrease in the usage of anti-psychotics, and nearly one half of the current national average. Encounter Telehealth's partner facilities in Iowa had an average 12.1% of residents on anti-psychotic medications as of 2018, which is 2.4% below the average of total Iowa nursing homes.

CMS estimates that only a small fraction of long-term residents will ever have a condition warranting the use of anti-psychotics, however they are repeatedly over-prescribed and at a great price. Facilities that do not show a reduction in anti-psychotic medication distribution can be penalized with a maximum 2% Medicare reduction. However, facilities that prove a reduction in their use of anti-psychotics are eligible of a maximum bonus of 1.6% Medicare payouts.

Through Encounter Telehealth, patients receive evaluations and psychiatric medication management services by Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. This ensures proper diagnoses and medication management from the convenience of the facility. Encounter also offers talk therapy, which has been proven to be beneficial to patients with dementia and cognitive decline. In addition, Encounter provides staff training. Proper staff training can ensure quality healthcare and safety for everyone. When staff is trained to use alternative, non-pharmacological interventions, studies have shown statistical benefits in patients with dementia.

Encounter Telehealth provides behavioral mental healthcare in long term communities. At Encounter, our providers are focused on administering compassionate, consistent, and quality care.

About Encounter Telehealth LLC:
Encounter Telehealth, based out of Omaha, Nebraska, was founded in 2012 with a mission to provide access to quality mental and behavioral healthcare. Our providers offer psychiatric medication management, staff training, evaluations, and therapy over a video telehealth platform to patients across America.

Connect with Encounter Telehealth on our website: https://www.encounter.health/ - or on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook

Encounter Telehealth, 900 S 74th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68114, Tel (844) 485-3041.

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Twitter: @EncounterPsych #telepsychiatry #behavioralhealthcare

An Encounter Telehealth analysis of 40 skilled nursing facility partners in Iowa revealed a 6.7% reduction in the use of anti-psychotics. This reduction occurred after an average of 14 months of partnering with Encounter on psychiatric care. The national average was less than a 4% reduction during the same period.

Related link: https://www.encounter.health/