What are the equipment needs of the program for a network hospital?
Purchase of the Telestroke unit is the responsibility of the network hospital. We do not recommend that you build your own Telestroke cart, but if you choose to do so, we can provide you with the specifications for a compatible unit. Instead, we strongly encourage working with our preferred supplier. Our supplier is a well-respected, innovative telemedicine company widely used by other successful telemedicine networks. We recommend you purchase a pre-built system for maximum compatibility and support.
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How much does the Telestroke Program cost?
In addition to the purchase of the Telestroke unit, there is a minimal annual fee for access to the program and staff time for set up and quarterly quality reviews. We also ask for identified key contacts and minimal time from staff at the network hospital to assist with local implementation of the Telestroke Program.
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How much does the consultation cost the network hospital?
There is no consultation cost to the hospital for accessing our stroke experts. The consulting stroke physician is responsible for billing the patient's insurance for the consult visit.
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How quickly can I get a consult, and what is the process?
Our stroke experts are available 24/7, and our response times are less than five minutes. To request a consult, call the HealthEast Care Connection Telestroke line at 651-232-6900. (This number is only for stroke code use by hospitals established in our telestroke system.)
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What happens if the Telestroke equipment fails?
We have selected our teleconferencing provider because of the reliability and service support offered. In the event that technical issues cannot be immediately resolved, the consulting physician will complete the consult via telephone.
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Am I obligated to send my patient to St. Joseph’s Hospital, a member of HealthEast Care System, in St. Paul?
No. Using the Telestroke Program does not obligate the network hospital to send a patient to St. Joseph's Hospital. However, if a network hospital wishes to transfer a patient to St. Joseph's, transportation and bed placement will be facilitated by the HealthEast team.
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Once the Telestroke system is up and running, are we obligated to use it?
No. The network hospital physicians and staff may choose to use the Telestroke system whenever they feel it necessary.
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Are there liabilities associated with Telestroke?
The liabilities are the same as if the consult was performed in person.
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Is using Telestroke an attempt to “steal” my patients?
No, it is not. Our goal is to partner with network hospital physicians and staff to keep patients local whenever possible. Telestroke is a method for rapid diagnosis and triage of your stroke patients to the most appropriate therapy as quickly as possible.
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What if the ED physician does not agree with the Telestroke consultant?
The final decision for the patient's care will always be that of the bedside physician. There is no obligation for the network hospital to follow the recommendations of the consulting physician.
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How does the Telestroke system protect patient confidentiality?
Telestroke is HIPAA-compliant, and site personnel are responsible for obtaining normal patient care consent and HIPAA documentation. HealthEast Telestroke uses a HIPAA-secure connection to ensure secure transmission of any patient health information.
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How does billing for Telestroke work?
The HealthEast Telestroke physician will bill the patient, or the patient's insurance, for the fee of the appropriate consult level only. The network hospital will bill for emergency department care in their usual fashion.
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How do I know the consulting physicians on the other end of the camera are qualified?
The HealthEast Telestroke Program only utilizes subspecialists in the area of stroke. The calls will be taken by stroke neurologists who may also be supported by neurointerventionalists, neurointensivists and neurosurgeons involved in the National Brain Aneurysm Center.
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What are the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement policies for Telestroke?
Clinical services provided over telehealth are reimbursable by Medicare and most third-party payors.
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The National Brain Aneurysm Center 
