Using video for authorizations

Using video for authorizations

Kevin Matthews

10/30/2010

Hello all.  I had a thought this evening about how sometimes it's difficult to get authorizations.  I am thinking about videotaping a minute or two on each patient.  After I evaluate and obtain a history and we discuss the plan I would turn the videotape on and show a brief synopsis, demonstrating the patient's condition.  If they had a stroke, for instance, you might briefly video gait, and your passive and active muscle testing.  Then you would discuss deficiencies, the plan, and the expected outcome.  It could be done in under two minutes of video.
 
Mine is mainly a pediatric practice and I see a lot of Texas Medicaid patients.  They recently changed their guidelines and you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get auths now.  Not necessarily a bad thing.  I thought I might send a note with the auth request explaining I have a video evaluation of the patient available.  All they would need to do is send an e-mail request.  I would also include parent comments in the video.  I would reply with the link to that patient's internet webpage on my website.  In my website deal I have unlimited webpages.  I can protect the link and will also have signed releases explaining possible breach.     

I am curious as to your thoughts.  I could elaborate further about possible other benefits, like if you had a video library you could watch before each following visit...
 
Have any of you tried this?  Does it sound feasible.  I would appreciate thoughts and will post replies, if any.  Thanks Paul!

 
 
Kevin C. Matthews, CO/LO
Certified/Licensed Orthotist
Advanced Orthopedic Designs
12315 Judson Rd. Suite 206
San Antonio, TX 78233
Phone: 210-657-8100
Fax: 210-657-8105
www.AdvancedOrthopedicDesigns.com