ARH is excited to announce the ConnectedCare School Program! It’s our goal to partner with the parent or guardian, creating a team with the school medical assistants and your child’s primary care physician to provide the best care possible.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Parents and staff can enroll in the program at the beginning of the school year or anytime during the year. When a student or staff member visits the school nurse or health assistant, they will determine whether the patient needs to see an ARH provider. The school will contact the parent or legal guardian for consent, if necessary, and the patient will be connected with an ARH provider for an on-demand visit. If the patient is not contagious, they may return to class/work and if the provider determines that a student needs to go home the parent will be notified. A post-visit report will be sent to the child’s primary care provider and sent home with the student.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF CONNECTEDCARE SCHOOL PROGRAM?
The school telehealth program can help improve attendance due to students not having to miss class for a doctor’s appointment. Illnesses can be treated early, improving health outcomes and leading to fewer missed days of school. Parents will also appreciate the reduced need to take time off of work to pick students up from school and wait in a clinic to see a physician if an illness happens.
Our program can further reduce barriers to learning – when students are sick, they don’t learn well.
DOES MY INSURANCE COVER THE COST?
Your insurance will be billed and copays and deductibles will apply in the same way as a regular clinic visit. Please contact your insurance company for more information.
Prescriptions will be sent to your normal pharmacy.
For questions about the ConnectedCare School program, contact connectedcare@arh.org.
CONDITIONS TREATED
- Sinus Congestion, Cold Symptoms, Sore Throats, Coughs
- Fever
- Common Allergies
- Ear ache
- Rashes & Skin Irritations
- Conjunctivitis (“Pink Eye”)
- Other Common Conditions and Illnesses
SCHOOLS IN OUR PROGRAM
The ConnectedCare School Program is currently available at the following schools:
COLLEGES / UNIVERSITIES
- University of Pikeville
FLOYD COUNTY SCHOOLS
- Adams Middle School
- Betsy Layne High School
- Floyd Central High School
- John M. Stumbo Elementary
- Prestonsburg High School
- Renaissance Learning Center
PAINTSVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
- Paintsville Elementary
- Paintsville High School
JOHNSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
- Central Elementary
- Highland Elementary
- Johnson Central High School
- Porter Elementary
- W.R. Castle Elementary
MORGAN COUNTY SCHOOLS
- East Valley Elementary
- Ezel Elementary
- Morgan Central Elementary
- Morgan County Middle School
- Morgan County High School
- Wrigley Elementary
MISSION, VISION, VALUES
Mission:
To improve the health of students and staff by utilizing telehealth technology to increase access to care for chronic and acute conditions.
Vision:
The ARH ConnectedCare School Telehealth program will collaborate with schools to provide access to care and promote health and wellness, so that all students and staff are capable of achieving their best.
Values:
- Quality
- Collaboration
- Accessibility
- Convenience
- Equity
CONTACT US
If your school district is interested in participating in the ConnectedCare School Telehealth Program, please contact us at connectedcare@arh.org.
FAQs
Q1: What is school telehealth?
The ARH ConnectedCare School Telehealth Program allows children and school staff to receive healthcare services remotely using specialized telehealth technology. Visits include a comprehensive exam where providers can listen to heart and lung sounds, look in ears and throats, take blood pressure and more.
Q2: How does school telehealth benefit me and my child?
School telehealth can decrease unnecessary absences, increase access to care, provide mental health services, and support school nurses. It ensures that your child receives timely medical attention at the school without having to be taken to wait at a clinic.
Q3: How can I access school telehealth services for my child?
You can get more information on the ARH ConnectedCare School Telehealth Program and how to enroll by contacting your child’s school nurse or by visiting www.arh.org/ccschools.
Q4: Can I participate in my child’s school telehealth visit?
Absolutely! Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate in their child’s medical visit. The school nurse or the ARH provider can send a video link via text or email that will automatically connect parents to the video visit. If unable to join by video, parents can also participate by phone.
Q5: What equipment is used for a school telehealth visit?
Each school nurse’s station is equipped with an iPad to connect to a video call and other specialized telehealth equipment. This includes a stethoscope, otoscope, pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and dermal exam camera.
Q6: How much does a school telehealth visit cost?
School telehealth visits are billed to the child’s insurance and covered like an in-person clinic visit. Any copay or deductible that would apply for an in-person visit will apply for a school telehealth visit. If a child doesn’t have insurance, financial counselors are available to assist parents/guardians with navigating ARH’s financial assistance program.
Q7: What happens if my child is referred for in-person care?
If the provider feels like the patient needs to be seen in-person for diagnosis or treatment, they may refer that patient for in-person care. If this happens, the parent/guardian can make an appointment with the healthcare provider of their choice. The ARH school telehealth visit will not be billed.
Q8: Can my child be tested for flu, strep, and/or COVID at school?
Some of schools participating in the ARH ConnectedCare School Telehealth Program do provide point of care testing for common illnesses like flu, strep and COVID as part of the school telehealth visit. Locations that do not provide this service may direct patients to an ARH clinic for testing. This can be done as a nurse visit and there would no additional costs associated with it.
Q9: Are school telehealth services confidential?
Yes, school telehealth services are confidential. All virtual visits and medical records are protected by privacy laws and regulations to ensure the confidentiality of your child’s health information.