Benefits of Ophthalmic Telemedicine Screening to You and Your Patients
Incorporating a fundus photography telemedicine program within your practice offers multiple benefits to both you and your diabetic patients.
First, you will know that you are providing your patients with the optimum standard of care through a state of the art telemedicine service. This telemedicine system links your patients directly to eye care specialists who are board-certified and clinical experts at diagnostic interpretation of fundus photographs.
Second, you will know that you are providing the most economical method of detecting diabetic retinopathy now available. The cost of additional referrals, scheduling, and travel expenses for your patients can be eliminated when your staff has the ability to take fundus photographs on a totally automated camera, and have the results sent electronically back to you in a signed, certified report that is valid for all insurance billing.
Third, the benefits include improved clinical outcomes and documented PQRI (Physician Quality Report Initiative) success related to diabetic care.
Finally, the ability to refer patients for diagnostic fundus photography by a telemedicine service, will allow you to increase revenue and grow your practice. You will be providing the technical component of the test in your office (fundus photography; 92250-TC), which is currently reimbursed at $42.32 according to Novitas data. The resulting return on investment is achieved in 2.5 years or less, depending on the number of diabetic patients that require testing in your clinic. In addition, the capture of accurate diabetic eye examination data could result in a 2% Medicare PQRI incentive bonus, as well as other commercial primary care bonus incentives.