What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine is a live video-based conference that allows you to consult with your doctor remotely via your computer or smartphone. It enables us to engage in a secure real-time, interactive visit from the comfort and safety of your home.
Washington’s health care rules allow physicians licensed in the state of Washington to work with patients in this way as long as the patient is a resident of Washington.
Who is eligible for telemedicine appointments?
In short, anyone based on your interest and desire. Dr. Milkis does try to encourage a first appointment that is face to face so he can get to know you in the best way possible, but this is not a requirement, depending on the issue/complaint. The telemedicine format does have some inherent limitations in that it is not possible to do certain types of physical examinations. Whether an issue is appropriate for a telemedicine visit is at the discretion of the doctor.
What will I need to have for a telemedicine visit?
You will need a smartphone or computer with a camera, microphone, and speakers as well as internet service. We recommend headphones for the sound so it doesn’t feed back into the microphone as well as maintain your confidentiality if there are others around but this is not imperative.
How does it work?
Our telemedicine service works through our electronic medical records program – CHARM.
The CHARM telemedicine portal is based on Zoom technology and CHARM will prompt you to download the necessary plug-in or application. You DO NOT have to set up a Zoom account or sign up for anything with Zoom directly.
What happens on the day of my appointment?
Prior to the appointment time, you will receive an email with a link to the telemedicine visit. Your appointment is also accessible via a link in your Charm Patient Portal account. We recommend that you find a quiet place to meet with good lighting on your face. You will click on the link and Dr. Milkis will join you at the appointed time.
Will my insurance cover telemedicine?
Most major commercial plans do provide coverage for telemedicine visits. However, each individual insurer has their own policy and there are even variations between plans provided by specific insurers. We recommend that you contact your plan directly to confirm coverage. In the case of Regence insurance, we will bill your plan directly, as per our usual policy. For all other plans we are an out-of-network provider and any benefits would be subject to your plan’s policy around this. If your plan does not offer any out-of-network benefits or does not cover telemedicine, please contact our office at (206) 550-7539 to discuss estimated out-of-pocket costs.
Is your telemedicine service secure?
In a word, yes. CHARM utilizes Zoom technology and it is fully HIPAA compliant and secure.
How do I schedule a telemedicine appointment with Dr. Milkis?
You will need to be set up in our CHARM medical records system.
Existing patients:
You have an account already. You can book an appointment on your own via the CHARM PATIENT PORTAL or if you prefer, you can either message us or call us and we can book the appointment for you. If you book through the Portal be sure to choose Telemedicine under visit type.
New patients:
If you are a new patient who would like to consult with Dr. Milkis, we will need to have a brief phone conversation to set you up in our system. Please call us at (206) 550-7539 and leave us a voicemail or you can reach out via our CONTACT FORM. Our office manager, Nadine Engh, will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss our services and how you can meet with the doctor.
If any of this information is unclear or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via phone, Contact Form, or message.