KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Although physical therapy clinics are considered essential businesses, some workers’ compensation patients hesitate to start or continue physical therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To address patient and claims representative concerns regarding in-clinic treatment, MedRisk turned to its International Scientific Advisory Board for clinical guidelines and added a COVID-19 component to its PTConsult service.
MedRisk’s managed care program for physical medicine includes a consultation with an on-staff physical therapist, who educates patients on the importance of physical therapy and sets expectations. Therapists also identify perceived barriers to recovery that now include COVID-19 anxiety.
Originally used only before the start of treatment, PTConsult is now available to patients who have disengaged from rehab at any point in their treatment.
Incorporating clinical guidelines from the CDC and key metrics from MedRisk’s ISAB that determine functional status and current and future risk, the enhanced service helps guide patients and claims adjusters in decision making.
“A 20-year-old with no underlying conditions may, after the consultation, feel more confident about receiving care in an in-clinic setting,” said Mary O’Donoghue, Chief Operating Officer. “But patients who are high risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms due to certain chronic diseases or comorbidities may need to take extra steps to prevent exposure to the virus.”
MedRisk shares the consultation results with patients and uses them to inform adjusters and nurse case managers whether in-clinic therapy, telerehab or postponing therapy with self-care management is most appropriate.
More information is available at https://www.medrisknet.com/patient-advocacy/.
About MedRisk
Based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, MedRisk is the largest managed care organization dedicated to the physical rehabilitation of injured workers. One of the Inc. 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies for 13 consecutive years, MedRisk counts over 264,500 providers in its network and serves almost 500,000 injured workers every year. It holds direct contracts with more than 90 percent of the nation’s top workers’ compensation insurers and third-party administrators. MedRisk, which has successfully completed a SSAE 18 SOC Type 1 and 2 examination, ensures high quality care and delivers outstanding customer service. To that end, all customer service professionals, healthcare advocates and physical therapists are based in the U.S. For more information, visit www.medrisknet.com or call 800-225-9675.
Contacts
Helen Patterson, King Knight Communications, helen@kingknight.com, 813-690-4787
Rommy Blum, MedRisk, rblum@medrisknet.com, 800-225-9675 ext. 1150