Question 1

What Does Oregon Teledermatology Offer?

Accepted Answer

Oregon Teledermatology is a 'Store-and-Forward' and video telemedicine service: you send us a skin-related concern with pictures and your history through a secure form, and Dr. Sandhya V. Koppula responds with a comprehensive treatment plan including prevention and education. Our services are direct-to-patient care free of any red tape from complex health systems and insurance. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, approximately 70% of dermatology cases can be addressed remotely.

Question 2

How Does a "New Photo Consult" Work?"

Accepted Answer

There are three steps:
 
1) After hitting the "New Consult" button, fill out a HIPAA-secure form which directs you through uploading photos of your condition, telling your medical history, and paying for the visit.
 
2) Dr. Koppula replies to your inquiry in a timely fashion with a custom treatment plan. She will call and/or write to you. If more information is necessary for your consult, we will contact you.
 
3) Once you receive a treatment plan, Dr. Koppula can (when appropriate and if needed) call in prescriptions to your pharmacy. Dr. Koppula also offers patients guidance for future follow-ups and continuity of care. We are happy to refer patients to the closest local providers and to follow up with patients' primary care physicians when needed.

Question 3

How Does a "Video Consult" Work?"

Accepted Answer

There are three steps:
 
1) When you hit the "Video Consult" button, you are able to fill in a streamlined form to guide you through highlighting medical history and paying for the consult.
 
2) Dr. Koppula or her staff will call and/or email you within 24-48 hours of your submission to schedule a time that is convenient for you. If more information is necessary for your consult, we will contact you.
 
3) Once a time has been agreed upon, we will email you a link to Dr. Koppula's virtual waiting room website. We will video call you when the time for your planned consult arrives. Dr. Koppula can (when appropriate and if needed) call in necessary prescriptions to you pharmacy. We are happy to refer patients to the closest local providers and to follow up with patients' primary care physicians when needed.

Question 4

What Conditions Can I Get Checked Through Oregon Teledermatology?

Accepted Answer

Oregon Teledermatology addresses a variety of non-urgent dermatologic concerns including, but not limited to:
- Acne
- Eczema
- Holistic skin care routines
- Moles
- Psoriasis
- Rash
- Rosacea
- Skin injuries & infections
 
A summary of conditions we treat is listed on our home page as well. Dr. Koppula also offers her services as a healthcare advocate if you need to be put in the right direction for second-opinion and general referral management.

Question 5

How Should I Take My Pictures?

Accepted Answer

There are photography instructions on each new consult form. To send the best pictures, please make sure to use appropriate lighting and have a clear background for the best possible focus.

Question 6

Is My Information Protected?

Accepted Answer

When you fill out a new consult or additional information form through our service, you are directed to Cognito Forms servers which are HIPAA-compliant. We use encrypted nameservers and emails to send treatment plans to you. Our follow-ups will be executed through Enterprise Guardian (Enguard) secure messaging and email systems. Video consults will take place on the Doxy.me platform. If you have further questions, please contact us at questions@oregonteledermatology.com.

Question 7

What is HIPAA, and Why Does it Matter to Me?"

Accepted Answer

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 enforces data privacy and security provisions for protecting patients' medical information. We comply with HIPAA to secure the information you submit to us through a new consult. By using the services of Cognito Forms and Enguard, we are able to communicate treatment information to you in a protected manner.

Question 8

Do You Accept My Health Insurance Plan?

Accepted Answer

We do not accept any form of health insurance. Oregon Teledermatology is a fee-for-service organization. However, any prescription we fill would go through your health insurance's prescription benefits. The cost of a new written consult is $100-$125 per case and a longer video consult is $175-$200. You may use any credit card or your HSA/FSA card to pay for a consult. If Dr. Koppula cannot provide a treatment plan on a submitted case, Oregon Teledermatology will issue an immediate refund.

Question 9

How do I Pay for a Prescription Called in by Oregon Teledermatology?

Accepted Answer

You may use your own insurance's prescription coverage plan to pay for any medication called in to a pharmacy by Dr. Koppula.

Question 10

Can I Provide My Consult Information to My Doctor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You may request your medical records created with Oregon Teledermatology by sending an email to questions@oregonteledermatology.com. When you send this request, Oregon Teledermatology will securely email you a downloable copy of your records as a PDF.

Question 11

Do I Need to Visit a Doctor if I am Using Oregon Teledermatology?

Accepted Answer

Oregon Teledermatology is NOT a replacement for your in-person dermatologist. However, Oregon Teledermatology should be used when you need immediate care for non-urgent medical issues for the skin. Every attempt will be made by Dr. Koppula to assist you with your skin concern. For urgent cases, please see a dermatologist in person. In the event of a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency center.

Question 12

How do I Know if My Case is Received?

Accepted Answer

Once you have submitted a new consult through our HIPAA-secure form, you will recieve a payment confirmation email after being redirected back to oregontelederm.com. You will receive a final secure email with your treatment plan once your case is reviewed and signed off by Dr. Koppula. In the case of video consults, we will call and/or email you in a timely manner from submission to schedule a time to connect. All of your cases are secured in HIPAA-compliant servers. Email dr.k@cornelldermatologyclinic.com if you need to reach us regarding any case or follow-up.

Question 13

How do I Know if a Real Dermatologist is Reviewing My Case?

Accepted Answer

Oregon Teledermatology's physician, Sandhya V Koppula, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist with over 35 years of experience and is licensed to practice in the state of Oregon. For more information about Dr. Koppula, please see our Provider page.

Frequently Asked Questions