Use of Telemedicine for Sexual Medicine Patients

INTRODUCTION: Telemedicine (TM) will play a significant role in contemporary practices that diagnose and treat sexual medicine patients. Although only a small percentage of urologists, sex therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, gynecologists, and urogynecologists currently use TM, many more practices are going to embrace this technology in the near future. This article will discuss the process for implementing TM in sexual medicine with minimal time, energy, effort, and expense. We will also examine compliance and legal issues associated with implementing TM in practice and how to code for TM services based on regulatory guidelines. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to improve the understanding of the concept and the trends of using TM to provide care for sexual medicine patients. METHODS: The study involves a literature review focussing on the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines including the relaxation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements. RESULTS: COVID-19 has changed the doctor-patient relationship especially in the area of sexual medicine. There are many patients with sexual medicine conditions that are amenable to the use of TM methods. CONCLUSION: Virtual visit utilizing audiovisual telecommunications is a very attractive approach for sexual medicine patients. Many patients with sexual medicine problems are no longer going to accept the antiquated method of healthcare involving making an appointment, visiting a brick-and-mortar facility, and the requirement of having a physical examination. The new normal will be communicating with patients by utilizing TM.