Purpose of Telemedicine 

The Pasco County School District and Premier Community HealthCare Group (Premier) are very excited to be implementing itelemedicine school health program for your child's school. Telemedicine services allow the school nurse to consult with Premier medical professionals using telemedicine technology. The telemedicine programs will make healthcare for students more convenient and accessible, avoid delays in getting treatment, and enhance learning by decreasing absenteeism. 

With your consent, your child will be provided the opportunity to see a Premier medical provider without having to leave school. An explanation of services offered through telemedicine is listed below. You may attend the visit in person, join via video call, or give permission for the visit to occur without you; however, you will need to sign either an electronic or paper consent form. Premier will send forms electronically to you if your student needs an appointment, or you may obtain paper forms from your child’s school. 

Description of Telemedicine Services: 

The school nurse will evaluate your student in person. After contacting the parent/guardian for consent, the nurse can connect with a Premier provider. The Premier provider will assess the student with the school nurse present, using special telemedicine equipment. The provider can hear the student's heart and lungs with a digital stethoscope. The provider can closely examine the student's ears, throat, rash or abrasions with a high-definition camera. If you have further questions or concerns reach out to the school health secretary who will direct you to the appopriate individual. 

What are examples of conditions that could be treated? 

Earaches / ear pain	Minor cuts and scrapes
Fever	Sore throats
Coughs and common colds	Asthma and wheezing
Rashes and minor skin infections	Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

*Other medical conditions may need an evaluation by your child's regular physician. * 

School-Based Telemedicine Services Frequently Asked Questions 

What is school-based telemedicine? School-based telemedicine is an innovative and established model to complement and expand existing school health services to meet the needs of children using technology, for instance, electronic technology that connects the child and nurse in the school to a health care provider in another location or at a school-based clinic. 

What is the goal of the School-Based Telemedicine program? The goal is to keep children healthy, in school, help with overcoming barriers to health care, encourage physical activity in extracurricular programs and at an optimal level of health for the best learning to happen. 

Who is eligible to use services in the School-Based Telemedicine program? All students at participating schools in the Pasco County School District are eligible to enroll in the program. 

What services will be provided by the School-Based Telemedicine program? The program will provide urgent care services such as checking for ear infections and examining sore throats. If needed, the health care provider examining the child may write a prescription that can be sent electronically to your family's pharmacy. 

What if the nurse or provider finds that telemedicine is not appropriate to evaluate your child? There are medical conditions that may need an in-person evaluation by your child's regular physician. In this case, the parent/guardian will be notified by the school nurse. 

How do children enroll in the School-Based Telemedicine program? Parents/guardians will need to complete the Premier consent forms electronically before your child has an appointment. 

Is there a cost for School-Based Telemedicine services? Medicaid and private insurances will be billed. No child will be refused treatment due to inability to pay. 

Does a parent/guardian have to be present for a telemedicine appointment? Parents/guardians are always welcome to attend an appointment but are not required to be present. The school nurse will always be with your child throughout their appointment. 

Will my child still be seen by the school nurse if 1 do not participate in the School-Based Telemedicine program? Yes. Students will be seen in the school clinic. Students will not be seen by a telemedicine provider unless the Premier consent form is completed for the School-Based Telemedicine program. 

Who will be providing the School-Based Telemedicine program? Premier medical professionals in collaboration with the school nurse will provide medical services for the School-Based Telemedicine program. 

Will my child's visit be recorded? No video recordings of children will be taken during any telemedicine visits. 

Who owns the School-Based Telemedicine program records? Medical records will be maintained by Premier. Confidentiality of medical records will be maintained according to electronic health records standards and regulations. 

Revised 07/2024