5 considerations for OB-GYN practices in the era of COVID-19

1. Taking safety precautions

For many women, OB-GYN visits are routine. For most expectant mothers, they are a regular and frequent occurrence. Practices therefore must follow numerous measures to protect patients who visit the facility. In its COVID-19 FAQ, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) covers many of these steps, from procuring medical equipment to revising cleaning procedures.

Many practices have issued new visitor policies in accordance with social distancing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Practices may stagger visits, request patients visit alone, or restrict the number of people who may accompany them. Practices may also ask patients and visitors to fill out a questionnaire or have their temperature checked curbside.

2. Opening lines of communication

Telemedicine offers a viable alternative to certain in-person visits. These services may be especially useful for obstetric patients who need to limit their risk of exposure while still keeping up routine appointments.

Using telehealth solutions, providers and patients can connect through secure, HIPAA-compliant channels. Several Greenway Marketplace Partners offer video visits that integrate with Greenway’s EHR. To learn more about how these solutions can decrease the number of office visits, read this blog.

3. Managing finances

Traditionally, OB-GYN is a complicated field for billing, because it revolves around pregnancy care plans. Practices may manage 10 or more payers. Even if a practice recognizes billing inefficiencies, it may lack the resources to correct them.  

Greenway research shows only 62% of practices review delinquent claims, only 59% of secondary claims are filed, and only 32% of patients who owe money receive a collection letter.

A revenue cycle management service can handle billing and collections for a practice. By simplifying processes and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), such a partner can work with the practice to improve its bottom line.

4. Conducting a ‘self check-in’

When a crisis arises, it’s easy to lose track of certain priorities. Practices should consider the wellbeing of providers and staff.

In general, OB-GYN physicians report feeling more burned out than physicians in most other specialties. A 2020 Medscape study found that 46% of OB-GYN physicians reported burnout. This ranked OB-GYN seventh out of 29 specialties surveyed for burnout.

The ACOG compiled a list of tips to encourage wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes these suggestions:

• Ensure basic needs are met. Get regular sleep, maintain exercise routines, eat well, and stay hydrated.
• Communicate with family, friends, and colleagues. Carve out quality time with family and use video technology to stay in touch with loved ones while maintaining social distancing. Also, check in with colleagues to see how they’re holding up.
• Conduct a “self check-in” to assess personal health and wellbeing. Employ positive coping strategies and reach out for help if needed.

5. Tapping into strengths

These are just a few of the concerns brought by the evolving COVID-19 crisis. Now more than ever, OB-GYN demands a great deal. Yet it offers great rewards.

OB-GYN providers and practice staff — experienced in guiding patients through the uncertainties of pregnancy — now must guide patients through COVID-19. Helping patients through this crisis may be one of the best rewards yet.