Staff Report
In just 17 days since the launch of its Telehealth program, 201 Sansum Clinic providers have completed more than 9,599 Telehealth visits, allowing new and existing patients to receive care from the safety of their homes. As some non-essential medical visits were cancelled to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, these Telehealth appointments are meeting a critical need. Patients are able to connect with their doctor using their smartphone, tablet or home computer. While this is available for all patients, the process is even easier for those on MyChart who can utilize the MyChart app to request and conduct the appointment.
“We want to stay connected to our patients in this uncertain time,” explains Sean Johnson, Sansum Clinic’s Vice President of Applications and Analytics, whose team spearheaded the telehealth effort across the organization. “These Telehealth visits are the best of both worlds for our current situation. Patients can still receive care from their providers but in a safer, and more protected manner for everyone.”
Sansum Clinic staff members are available to walk patients through the process before their Telehealth visit begins to help ensure that all of the technological details are handled. During the Telehealth visit, providers have access to all of the important medical information contained in a electronic health record, just as they would during an office visit. In virtually all cases, Telehealth visits are currently covered by most insurance. If you have specific questions regarding your coverage, please follow-up with your insurance provider. While Telehealth visits are beneficial for a wide variety of medical concerns, we look to our individual providers in primary care, urgent care and specialties to determine if a Telehealth visit is the most medically-appropriate choice.
If you are a Sansum Clinic patient and would like to learn more about Telehealth, visit telehealth.sansumclinic.org. To sign up for MyChart, visit mychart.sansumclinic.org/signup or call the MyChart help desk at (805) 898-3333 Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or mention MyChart during your next visit with us.
For immediate information about COVID-19 symptoms, Telehealth appointments and more, you can text us and avoid waiting on the phone to speak with someone in person. Text #COVID to (805) 681-7500.
About Sansum Clinic:
For nearly 100 years, Sansum Clinic has been improving the overall health of its patients by providing the latest innovations in equipment, technology, procedures and treatments. Sansum Clinic is the largest\ independent nonprofit healthcare organization between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. With more than 270 affiliated physicians across 50 specialties and service lines, Sansum Clinic serves more than 130,000 patients annually at our 22 patient care facilities in Santa Barbara County. To learn more, please visit www.sansumclinic.org.
