4/5/20

Dear CMG families,

We hope you are staying well.  Times keep getting crazier. As expected, cases in Travis County are continuing to grow in number.   If you come to our office for anything, please call the front desk at 512-451-5161 before entering the building.  We can then direct you on next steps. Thank you so much for bearing with us during this difficult time.

Here are the updates for this week:

Major Insurance companies waive Telemedicine copays

As of today, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, United, and Cigna are temporarily waiving copays for telemedicine. For several providers, this includes waiving copays for typical sick visits via telemedicine.  Please check with your insurance company for specific details about their copay policies. We hope other smaller insurance providers will follow suit soon.   

Telemedicine appointments at CMG

We are currently doing all our telemedicine visits through doxy.me.  Setting up a telemedicine visit is easy! 

1. Make an appointment with our office. You will get a link via email for the time of your visit. 
2. At the time of your visit , clicking the link will connect you to our virtual waiting room.  There is no additional software to install and you can use a phone or desktop computer.
3. Your doctor will see that you are in the waiting room and start the visit.

Anyone we need to further examine or test following a telemedicine visit will be seen in the CMG parking lot later that day (all under the same visit).  We have a tent set up in the far corner and our doctors will meet you outside. We are still seeing strep throat and flu along with the typical pediatric illnesses.  

New in-office testing options for COVID-19

Testing options are expanding.  The current test being performed is a PCR test, which usually involves a nasal swab and can take 1 to 7 days to come back.  A new rapid point-of-care test has been approved by the FDA. CMG should receive our first batch of these new tests by the end of the week.  It requires a small amount of blood (from a finger or toe stick) and results are available in 10 minutes. The test is as accurate as the flu tests we currently run in-office.  

Treatment options for COVID-19

Treatments continue to be under investigation, but the studies are currently being performed in the adult population and focused on the very ill.  There continues to be a debate regarding use of ibuprofen with COVD-19.. We recommend using tylenol or acetaminophen first for fever. Ibuprofen could then be considered as a second line agent if needed.

Social Distancing

The vast majority of cases continue to be due to direct contact with an infected person.  For this reason, we encourage all our families to continue to practice social distancing. This also includes teenagers!   Continue to wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. Do your best not to touch your face when your hands have not been cleaned.  

Children and COVID-19

The disease continues to be very mild in children, especially those less than 14 years of age.  If it comes into your home, the likelihood is that the adults in the house will be sicker than the children.  It continues to present in children with mild flu-like symptoms. It can cause fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, vomiting and/ or diarrhea.  It has also been linked to prolonged fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches. In older children, it can lead to loss of taste and smell. As of today, there are still no confirmed cases at Dell Children’s Hospital.

Well Child / Routine Visits

We are continuing to see our routine well child checks in the morning.  If your child is not due for routine vaccinations, we will call you to reschedule your appointment.  For more details please review our latest policy on our website.

Accidents 

Since the stay at home order, the CDC has reported a large increase in the number of accidents in children.  We are getting more calls for lacerations and broken bones. We will do our best to keep you out of the emergency department.  Local pediatric plastic surgeons are doing sutures in their offices. Pediatric orthopedists are arranging appointments for X rays in their offices as well. 

Family stress

This is an incredibly stressful time for everyone.  Many of our families are working from home while also doing full child care and home schooling.  Parents are reporting record breaking signs of stress during these times of uncertainty.  The American Academy of pediatrics has some great resources and tips.  Get outside as much as you can.  Play is so important. Local companies are doing online parenting classes due to these increased home stressors.  

Please feel free to contact us with any concerns or questions.

All our best,

Children’s Medical Group