Coronavirus Resources & Information
Connecting Clients to Care During Unprecedented Times
The COVID-19 stay at home order has likely magnified your day-to-day frustrations. It feels like your injury and need for medical treatments have been put “on hold” indefinitely. Many law firms are adopting this “on hold” policy, telling clients their only option is to suffer and wait.
But when you’re injured, you’re already living with too much suffering and waiting. That’s why Ramsay Law Firm, P.A. has made it a priority to find ways to reduce or eliminate wait time for our clients.
To learn more about how our team can help you during this challenging time, call our Charlotte attorneys for a free consultation at (704) 376-1616, or contact us online.
Tools to Speed Up Access to Care
Speed up your access to care and claims management with these tools:
1. Telehealth appointment options: Find a list of health care providers who offer “telehealth” appointment options on our website. There you will find details related to eligibility for telehealth appointments and how to schedule one. Access the list directly at:
https:/ /ramsaylawfirm.com/telehealth-information/
2. Video conferencing instructions: Learn how easy it is to use the video conferencing tools available for telehealth. Information about Zoom and other video conferencing applications is here on our website: https:/ /ramsaylawfirm.com/coronavirus-covid-19-resources-information/
3. Digital signatures and document management: We selected two remote signing programs to make disbursing settlements and signing documents easier. Learn more about DocHub and Docusign. You may see these tools being used by our office.
We realize not every problem or delay in medical care can be fixed with these tools, but these approaches may work for you to obtain pain management, consult with a mental health expert, or even work on your physical therapy. Your recovery is a long process and each small step furthers your progress and healing.
Please know that we will continue to work diligently to seek alternative solutions for you. As always, our focus remains on you. We are grateful for the technology that allows us to continue to move your medical care and your life forward, while you stay safe at home.
COVID-19 FAQs
Are Telehealth Visits Allowed by the Industrial Commission in Workers’ Compensation Cases?
Neither the Workers’ Compensation Act nor any Industrial Commission Rules disallow telehealth.
Can Evaluation & Management Telehealth Visits be Billed under the Industrial Commission’s Workers’ Compensation Fee Schedule?
Evaluation & Management visits conducted via telehealth can be billed using the same Evaluation & Management codes that are used for an in-person office visit, except that “02” should be used as the “Place of Service” code. For any services with CPT codes that do not have a specific fee schedule amount, the charges would be paid per agreement between the carrier and medical provider.
What if a Carrier or Third-Party Administrator Refuses to Authorize a Telehealth Visit?
As with any dispute regarding medical treatment, the injured employee may file a medical motion with the Industrial Commission asking the Commission to order the carrier or third-party administrator to authorize and pay for the telehealth visit.
Updates from Chief Justice Cheri Beasley
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley issued an order today further extending filing and other court-related deadlines. The order states that documents due to be filed from March 16 to June 1 will be deemed timely filed if received before the close of business on June 1, 2020, and that any actions required to be done during that time can also be postponed until June 1, 2020.
The order also includes a stay of pending bail bond forfeiture proceedings. This decision comes as the court system continues to work to curtail operations in light of the growing exigent circumstances related to the spread of COVID-19.
“Our continued priority is the safety of the public and the safety of our court personnel,” said Chief Justice Beasley. “Delaying filing and other deadlines reduces the number of people who must come into our county courthouses every day. We are monitoring the guidance of public health officials and our team is working around the clock to help local officials move cases forward in a way that is safe and respects the rights and liberties of everyone who depends on us.”
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley has taken several other emergency steps to help stop the spread of the coronavirus:
- On April 2, Chief Justice Beasley ordered court proceedings postponed until June 1, 2020
- On March 27, the Supreme Court of North Carolina ordered an extension on all appellate court deadlines for 60 days
- On March 19, Chief Justice Beasley issued an additional emergency step that extended deadlines in the trial courts until April 17, 2020
- On March 15, Chief Justice Beasley issued a memo providing guidance to local judges, clerks, and district attorneys as they worked to implement earlier directives. The memo allowed for the public and court personnel to practice social distancing and other preventative measures recommended by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control
- On March 13, Chief Justice Beasley issued two emergency directives postponing most cases in superior and district courts for 30 days and instructing local officials to take steps to limit the risk of exposure in courthouses
In light of this rapidly evolving public health situation, the Judicial Branch will provide continuously updated information on our website, NCcourts.gov. The public is encouraged to visit NCcourts.gov as a first resort to determine if a question can be answered without calling the local courthouse.
If you have a question about your court case, please first view the county page in which the case is filed for any local announcements, as well as the closings and advisories page, then, if needed, contact the clerk of superior court office before you go to the courthouse. The public may also visit the Judicial Branch Facebook page and Twitter account to access information related to the coronavirus health concern.
Please stay safe and don’t hesitate to give us a call at (704) 376-1616 if we can help.
