Cost
There is no fee to participate in this program. Click on the link below to get started now.
A referral source for healthcare providers to help their patients navigate through the complexities of COVID-19 related serious illness.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, taking precious lives and sending others to the hospital, the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) offers a valuable resource to healthcare providers.
Palliative care telehealth services are available for patients experiencing acute or chronic COVID-19 symptoms and related complications in any setting such as clinics, home healthcare, long term care, assisted living and hospitals.
There is no fee to participate in this program. Click on the link below to get started now.
The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association launched the Palliative Care Telehealth program in December 2020 to give COVID-19 patients the option for free care in their home or care setting.
Palliative care telehealth services are available for patients experiencing acute or chronic COVID-19 symptoms and related complications in any setting such as clinics, home healthcare, long term care, assisted living and hospitals.
There is no fee to participate in this program.
Our focus is to help patients live well. Palliative care telehealth works with the existing healthcare team to provide an extra layer of support and care focused on aligning patients' values and goals with available treatments.
A free program for you and your loved ones to use. You can talk to (via phone) or video-chat (via smart phone or computer) with a skilled palliative care provider to help understand COVID-19 and your symptoms or other conditions that have been made worse by COVID-19.
Palliative Care is a medical specialty that is expert at communication and symptom management. It is an extra layer of care for you and your loved ones. Your healthcare team wants to provide you the best possible care but may have limitations on time. A palliative care provider spends time with you to understand your symptoms and challenges and then works with your primary care team to get you the healthcare and resources you need. They can even talk to your family or loved ones to assist in making sure everyone understands the care and treatments you want to receive.
This program was developed because of the high volume of seriously ill patients with COVID-19 in settings where there are health professional shortage areas as well as no or limited access to palliative care. Our goal is to reduce suffering and provide another layer of supportive care for Arizonans who have been affected by COVID-19.
There is no cost to the patient and no need to bill insurance. This service is paid for by a grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
The program will last until the funds run out. We estimate approximately 4-6 months.
No, the palliative care provider will work with your current provider to ensure you get the care you need. They will discuss your wishes and make recommendations. Your current provider is still your main provider of care.
Your palliative care telehealth provider will discuss recommendations with you and e-mail you a copy of recommendations. They will also send recommendations to your primary provider who will and contact you with next steps.
No, the telehealth palliative care provider will review your medication list and if changes are needed will discuss recommended changes with your primary provider. Your primary provider can then change medications as appropriate. Your telehealth provider will review your labs and make recommendations to your primary provider to order additional labs if appropriate.
Yes, all telehealth palliative care providers (physicians and nurses) are licensed and credentialed
Yes, the telehealth palliative care providers can assist in completion or revision of Arizona healthcare directives and POLST portable medical orders. Forms are located here or you can provide copies of specific forms as appropriate.
Yes, the telehealth palliative care provider can conference in your family members and/or loved ones as appropriate to participate in the consultation. They can also set up a follow up meeting with them if needed.
There are many options for the palliative care consultation, depending upon available resources. When your provider makes the appointment, they will discuss which option is best for you and if you need assistance with the appointment. Options include using a computer, your smartphone for videoconferencing, a phone call, or we can send you a tablet (you must have internet service to use the tablet). You will receive a reminder about the appointment and a meeting invite.
There are no limitations to the number of times you can see the palliative care provider.
A referral source for healthcare providers across Arizona to help their patients navigate through the complexities of COVID-19 related symptoms, or those chronic conditions exacerbated by COVID-19, by talking with a palliative care provider for symptom management or goals of care.
This program was developed because of the high volume of seriously ill patients with COVID-19 in geographical and regional settings where there are health professional shortage areas as well as no or limited access to palliative care. Systemic health and social inequalities have put people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of COVID-19. In Arizona we’ve seen a higher incidence of death and co-morbidities in American Indians, Latino Americans, African Americans, and the elderly with underlying chronic illnesses. Our goal is to reduce suffering and provide another layer of supportive care for Arizonans who have been affected by COVID-19.
With the shortage of physicians, nurses, social workers, PPE and visitation restrictions, palliative care can help you best meet the needs of your patient and their families. Trained professionals can spend more time with your patient/loved ones to support their needs. The skill sets of palliative care providers center around expert pain and symptom management, skilled communication and coordination of care and support for patients and families. A referral to telehealth palliative care helps to preserve scarce resources (e.g., PPE) and save in-person visits for people with complex palliative care needs.
Yes, the palliative care telehealth service is provided free of charge to those suffering from COVID-19 and its complications related to or exacerbated by COVID-19.
There is no cost to the patient or provider for this service.
AzHHA obtained a grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services to provide this service. Intel provided a grant to provide hardware devices if needed.
The program will last until the funds run out. We estimate approximately 4-6 months.
No, this service is provided free of charge for any person in Arizona in any care setting (e.g., home, home care, independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, long term care, long term acute care hospital, critical access hospital, hospital).
No, the palliative care provider/consultant will contact the referring provider to discuss recommendations. The primary care or referring provider is still the person’s main provider of care.
The referring provider (physician, PA, NP) will be contacted by the telehealth palliative care provider post consultation to discuss recommendations and next steps.
No, the telehealth palliative care provider will review the medication list from the provider and discuss with the patient but will not prescribe medications. They will discuss recommendations with the referring provider, and it is up to that provider to change medications as appropriate.
Yes, all telehealth palliative care providers (physicians and nurses) are licensed and credentialed in Arizona.
Yes, the telehealth palliative care providers do have access to Arizona statutes pertaining to healthcare directives and portable medical orders through Arizona POLST.
Yes, the telehealth palliative care providers can assist in completion of Arizona healthcare directives and POLST portable medical orders. Forms are located here or you can provide copies of specific forms as appropriate.
Yes, the telehealth palliative care providers have access to Arizona statute § 36-3231 Surrogate decision makers.
Yes, the telehealth palliative care provider can conference in family members, providers and loved ones as appropriate to participate in the consultation.
There are many options for the consultation, depending upon available resources. When the appointment is made the medical assistant will identify which type of hardware device is available (computer or smartphone app - e.g., FaceTime or WhatsApp). If the patient or organization do not have access to a hardware device, one will be sent.
There are no limitations to the number of consultations that can occur.
