Insider News: March 19, 2020
Published by
Mass General Brigham Health Plan blog team
on
This week's Insider News provides a roundup of relevant COVID-19 news coverage and helpful resources. We'll continue to share COVID-19- related updates as the crisis unfolds, and new information is available, in the coming weeks.
| We’ve also created an online resource hub for our customers. The AllWays Health Partners Coronavirus Resource Hub provides our customers with up-to-date information about health care coverage, including access to telemedicine services, and other important tips and resources about prevention. |
The Boston Globe editorial board highlights how vital it is to our individual and collective health that citizens of the Commonwealth help one another during this public health crisis. From mutual aid societies to ways to donate to those in need, there are a myriad of ways we can be good to each other.
Pandemic is prime time for health tech
One way health care providers can control surges in health care utilization is through a process called “forward triage.” A 21st century approach to forward triage is the use of telemedicine, which is being employed throughout the country as the medical industry faces the Coronavirus pandemic head-on. More than 50 U.S. health systems have implemented telemedicine programs that leverage telehealth technology and allow clinicians to see patients who are at home. With an exponential rise in Covid-19 cases anticipated in the coming weeks, telemedicine allows patients to be efficiently screened 24/7, and protects patients, clinicians and the community from exposure.
COVID-19 will worsen the opioid overdose crisis if we don't prepare now
Efforts by health systems and governments to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, have largely overlooked patients with opioid use disorder and how to slow the spread of the coronavirus in this vulnerable population.
Coronavirus shutdowns: What's open, what's closed in Massachusetts?
A regularly updated listing of what's open and what's closed in Massachusetts from masslive.com.