Requirements For In-person Services During COVID-19
We have updated important information about the decision to begin or resume in-person services in light of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Our decision is based in part on recommendations by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), but other factors may be considered.
Some of these include, but are not limited to whether we and our families have been vaccinated, our health and the health of those we are in close contact with, and the risk of exposure outside of this setting. There may be other concerns that we can talk about during our sessions.
Decision to Meet Face-to-Face
We have agreed to meet in person for some or all future sessions. If there is a resurgence of the pandemic or if other health concerns arise, however, I may require meeting via tele-health.
If you have concerns about meeting through tele-health, we will talk about it first and try to address any issues. Understand that, if we believe it is necessary, we may determine that we return to tele-health for everyone’s well-being.
If you decide at any time that you would feel safer staying with, or returning to, tele-health services, we will respect that decision, as long as it is feasible and clinically appropriate.
Reimbursement for tele-health services is also determined by the insurance companies and applicable law, so we’ll discuss any financial implications if needed. As of today, tele-health coverage is in place for all insurance carriers we work with.
Risks of Opting for In-Person Services
Understand that by coming to the office, you are assuming the risk of exposure to the coronavirus (or other public health risks). This risk may increase if you travel by public transportation, cab, or ridesharing service.
Your Responsibility to Minimize Your Exposure
To obtain services in person, you agree to take certain precautions which will help keep everyone — you, me, our families, other staff, and other patients — safer from exposure, sickness, and possible death. If you do not adhere to these safeguards, it may result in our starting or returning to a tele-health arrangement.
Required safeguards are as follows:
You have provided proof of vaccination.
You will only keep your in-person appointment if you are symptom free.
You will only keep your in-person appointment if you have been fever free for a minimum of 10 days prior to our appointment.
You will cancel your appointment if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
You will take your temperature upon entering the building before each appointment. If it is elevated (100 Fahrenheit or more), or if you have other symptoms of the coronavirus, you agree to cancel the appointment or proceed using telehealth. If you wish to cancel for this reason, you will not be charged the normal cancellation fee.
You will wait in your car or outside until no earlier than five minutes before our appointment time.
You will wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you enter the building.
You will adhere to the safe distancing precautions we have set up in the waiting room and testing and therapy rooms. For example, you won’t move chairs or sit where we have signs asking you not to sit.
You will wear a mask in all areas of the office common space; as will the Kimberly Keiser & Associates staff.
You will keep a distance of six feet and there will be no physical contact (e.g. no shaking hands) with me or the staff.
You will try not to touch your face or eyes with your hands. If you do, you will immediately wash or sanitize your hands.
Children are not allowed in the office at this time. Please find alternative childcare or utilize tele-health if you are caring for your minor children during your session time.
You will take steps between appointments to minimize your exposure to COVID-19.
If you have a job that exposes you to other people who are infected, you will immediately let us know.
If your commute or other responsibilities put you in close contact with others beyond your family, you will let our staff know.
If a resident of your home tests positive for the infection, you will immediately let us know, and we will then begin or resume treatment via tele-health.
The above precautions are subject to change if additional local, state, or federal orders or guidelines are published. If that happens, we will talk about any necessary changes.
Office Safety Precautions in Effect During the Pandemic
Our office is taking the following precautions to protect our patients and help slow the spread of the coronavirus:
Office seating in the waiting room and in therapy/testing rooms has been arranged for appropriate physical distancing.
Our staff wear masks.
Our staff maintains safe distancing.
Restroom soap dispensers are maintained, and everyone is encouraged to wash their hands.
Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is available in the therapy and testing rooms, the waiting room, and at the reception counter.
We schedule appointments at specific intervals to minimize the number of people in the waiting room.
We ask all patients to wait in their cars or outside until no earlier than five minutes before their appointment times.
Credit card pads, pens, and other areas that are commonly touched are thoroughly sanitized after each use.
Physical contact is not permitted.
Tissues and trash bins are easily accessed and trash is disposed of on a frequent basis.
Common areas are thoroughly disinfected four times per day.
Our Commitment to Minimize Exposure
My practice has taken steps to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus within the office and we have posted our efforts on our website and in the office.
If You or Your Therapist Are Sick
I am committed to keeping you, my staff, myself, and all of our families safe from the spread of this virus.
If you show up for an appointment and I or my office staff believe that you have a fever or other symptoms, or believe you have been exposed, I will have to require you to leave the office immediately. We can follow up with services by tele-health as appropriate.
If I or my staff tests positive for the coronavirus, I will notify you so that you can take appropriate precautions.
Please let me know if you have questions about these efforts.