Q: What is the e-Link Portal?
A: The e-Link Portal a cloud-based, digital health platform enabling all types of providers, community hospitals, clinics, and patients to conduct virtual visits through structured and secure workflows designed for individual needs. The UAMS e-Link Portal is HIPAA-compliant and gives patients access to virtual care from personal computers or mobile devices.
Q: How do I get the e-Link Portal?
A: Visit https://idhi.uams.edu/e-link/ and select the Request Information tab at the top of the page. Complete the form and an e-Link Program Manager will contact you to help get you started.
Q: What is Telehealth/Digital Health?
A: Telehealth/Digital Health is the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration. Digital health is a broad group of categories such as mobile health (mHealth), health information technology (IT) wearable device, telehealth and telemedicine and personalized medicine.
Q: What type of security and encryption does the e-Link Portal provide?
A: All media traffic is encrypted regardless of the endpoint used (i.e. web or mobile) or the session setup you choose (Point-to-Point or multiparty). This encryption ensures safety while using the portal solution, even in an open public hotspot. The core protocols providing web real-time communications (WebRTC) security are secure real-time Protocol (SRTP) for media traffic encryption and Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS)-SRTP for key negotiation, which is defined by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
Q: Do providers need a special license or certification to treat clients online with the e-Link Portal?
A: Arkansas law requires medical providers to be licensed in the state in which the patient resides if providing medical treatment. It is recommended that all care be delivered through a HIPAA compliant video platform system. Additionally, telehealth 101 training and etiquette tips assist providers in ensuring that the quality of video sessions are the same as in-person visits.
Q: Can providers be paid for treating clients through the e-Link Portal? Can provided services be reimbursable?
A: Each state has rules and regulations that provide information related to billing. Insurance payors also have a list of procedure codes used to bill for visits and procedures. Check with your insurance carriers.
For more information visit:
- https://www.cchpca.org/
- https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet
Q: Is virtual treatment as effective as in-person visits?
A: When appropriate, a virtual health visit can be used to see a healthcare provider. Please note that not all health conditions can be evaluated and/or treated virtually. Individuals with health conditions, that can be seen virtually, will find treatment to be beneficial, convenient and an easy way to have access to healthcare from wherever they are.
Q: Is the e-Link Portal a platform clients find easy to use?
A: The e-Link Portal is a HIPAA compliant video platform that clients may find convenient and easy to use. Customers that have the e-Link Portal are offered 24-hour video support.
Q: What equipment is needed to use the e-Link Portal?
A: A computer with a web cam, internet connection and adequate internet bandwidth is needed for the e-Link Portal. While not optimal, customers may use handheld mobile devices such as a cellphone or tablet to conduct a video session.
Q: What operating systems and browsers are compatible with the e-Link Portal?
A: Google Chrome (recommended), Firefox (recommended) and Safari. Windows Explorer is not recommended.
Q: Does IDHI e-Link provide video support if problems occur while using the e-Link Portal?
A: Yes. A benefit of being an e-Link consortium member is 24/7 customer support. IDHI e-Link has a staff of seasoned video support professionals who answer the phone or email ASAP. Call 501-686-8666 or email elinksupport@uams.edu for a quick response.
Q: Can other providers, specialists, attendees, etc. join in an active e-Link Portal video session? If so, how many?
A: During an active video session, the host has the option to send an invite via email, text or both. Multiple individuals can attend a video session with the consent of the patient or client.
Q: Can the e-Link Portal integrate electronic medical records (EMRs) into its platform?
A: Yes, in most cases. Please request a quote.
Q: If a video session has started and services are not needed or the patient is not eligible for a video session will there be a charge for that session?
A: No. The provider is responsible for completing the process that would incur charges.