What should expect in a virtual appointment?

 

New patients: Your physio will take a detailed medical history, assess your movements virtually, guide you through special tests to determine how to properly treat your injury/condition.  They will provide you important education and exercise prescription to empower you to get better faster and stronger to prevent re-injury.

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Existing patients: We want to provide continuity of care and make sure you are progressing through your treatment plan and continuing to improve on the gains you have previously made. We can reassess you virtually and adjust your rehab appropriately. 

 

How does it work?

 

1. Book your appointment online by selecting the TeleHealth appointment type that applies to you. 

2. You will receive a confirmation email. Please follow the instructions and fill out the forms that are sent to you.  There will be a link in the email for your Virtual appointment. 

3. At your scheduled appointment time simply click on the link. All you need is an internet connection, access to a desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.

4. Your physiotherapist will be able to see you as well as share their computer screen and provide you with an exercise program that you can access at home.

 

How should I prepare for my appointment?

-Complete your intake forms. They will be emailed to you as soon as you book your appointment.  Please take the time to complete these prior to your appointment 

-Make sure you have a camera set up in a place that allows to you move around and still be seen

-Check that your sound/audio is clear 

-Make sure you have a private space free of distractions,

-Please arrive to your appointment a few minutes early - run a test on your computer, your therapist will be alerted that you have arrived 

 

Are Telehealth appointments covered under extended health benefits? 

Please check with your individual providers for coverage. 

-ICBC visits are covered, check with your case manager if you are unsure.

-Pacific Blue Cross- Only covered for existing clients *policy # 50000 does NOT qualify

-GreatWestLife/CanadaLife- approved- check your specific policy for how much is covered

-SunLife- approved- check your specific policy for how much is covered

-Greenshield -as of March 31 most plans with greenshield are covered (double check with your specific account)

-Click here for more insurance companies that may be approved 

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Do you direct bill?

Please note that although some TeleHealth appointments are covered by your insurance plans, we cannot direct bill to all of them. If your insurance company uses telus eclaims then YES we can direct bill. Click here for a list of insurers that use telus eclaims.  Your initial appointment email will have details on how to send payment. You will be sent an invoice with all the information you need to submit to your insurance provider upon payment. 

 

Additional Patient Information - Telerehabilitation in Physiotherapy :

Telerehabilitation is the use of information or communication technologies to allow you and your physiotherapist to connect via telephone, video or other remote monitoring technology to receive physiotherapy services at a distance when an in-person visit is not possible. Here are a few frequently asked questions about telerehabilitation in physiotherapy.

 

When might telerehabilitation be appropriate?

There are a few circumstances where the use of telerehabilitation may enhance your physiotherapy care.

Telerehabilitation can help you access physiotherapy services that are not available in your community or allow for consultation between your physiotherapist and another physiotherapist (or another health-care provider on your team).

Telerehabilitation may be appropriate if you cannot easily attend an in-person visit. For example, if you live a long distance from the hospital or even in another province or territory, it may not be in your interest to travel to receive care, but physiotherapy may still be needed.

 

When would telerehabilitation not be appropriate?

Telerehabilitation should not entirely replace in-person care, but it does provide an option for assessment and treatment when an in-person visit is not possible. It is up to you and the physiotherapist to determine what is best for you, whether necessary services can be provided via telerehabilitation, and to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks.

 

Will I get good quality care?

Expect to receive the same safe, quality care that you would get during an in-person visit. Physiotherapists are expected to meet the same Standards of Practice regardless of how the services are delivered.

 

What are the risks of receiving care via telerehabilitation?

The risks of receiving physiotherapy care specific to telerehabilitation relate mostly to concerns about the privacy of your personal health information and your personal safety. The physiotherapist is required to ensure that the location where you receive care is safe and that procedures are in place to ensure the availability of help in the event of an emergency. The physiotherapist may recommend that the visit proceed in the presence of another team member to enhance the safety and value of the visit. Make sure your have completed your intake forms so your physiotherapist has your address (where you physically are at the time of your appointment) and an emergency contact number should they need to get help for you. Also make sure your physiotherapist has your phone number in an event of technological issues during your session. 

 

Will my personal information still be private and secure?

Physiotherapists are required to ensure the privacy and security of your personal information at all times. This extends to the technology they use as well as the appropriateness of the setting in which services are delivered. For example, it may be appropriate for you to receive services in your home or at a medical facility, with the physiotherapist communicating with you from their office rather than in a public place.

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If my physiotherapist isn’t in the room who will help me and what types of care can be provided?

Depending on the setting and the circumstances, physiotherapists providing consultation or treatment via telerehabilitation may not require assistance from another person or may have assistance from another physiotherapist, physiotherapy support workers, other health-care providers, or from your family members or friends. The physiotherapist is required to ensure that an appropriate level of support and assistance is available to address your needs and ensure your safety and that you agree to the involvement of this assistance. Examples of services that can be provided by telerehabilitation include, but are not limited to, consultation with local physiotherapists, education and instruction, monitoring your progress with a treatment program, and supervised exercise or meetings with your health-care team.

 

Does my physiotherapist need to be registered to deliver telerehabilitation treatment?

Physiotherapists are required to be registered with the physiotherapy regulatory college in the province or territory where they deliver services. If they are delivering services across borders, they are required to be registered in both the province where they live and the province in which they are delivering services (where you live). Check if your physiotherapist is registered before you begin treatment.

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