Two Cabot Elementary Schools to Pilot Telehealth Program

Virtual primary health services will soon be offered to students at Ward Central Elementary, Westside Elementary, and to all district staff members and their families.

Cabot Public Schools is excited to partner with ARcare to offer school-based telehealth services. As part of a pilot program, virtual primary health services will be offered to students at Ward Central Elementary, Westside Elementary, and to all district staff members and their families beginning January 6, 2020.

Students at Ward Central Elementary and Westside Elementary will have access to these services at their individual campuses. District staff members and their families can be seen at the Cabot Schools Annex on the CHS campus.

Patients will be able to connect to an ARcare provider via video through a secure, HIPAA compliant platform. The patient will be able to speak in real-time with the specialist during the telemedicine appointment.

For example, if your student is complaining of an earache, sore throat, or experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, your child can take a virtual trip to the doctor without ever leaving school! The doctor can even send the prescription to a pharmacy of your choice. 

Not only will this service help reduce absences due to illness, it will serve as a valuable resource to some of our students who would not normally have access to primary care.

A licensed nurse will be with your student throughout the telemedicine appointment. A parent does not have to attend. However, a parent will always be called BEFORE and AFTER the visit. Appointments will be kept confidential. Audio and video is NEVER recorded. 

The telemedicine new patient packet must be completed BEFORE initiating your first telemedicine session. Packets will soon be sent home with students at Ward Central Elementary and Westside Elementary. Parents at these two schools, as well as our district faculty and staff, can also access the forms online HERE. Forms can also be found under the “Resources for Parents” and “Resources for Staff” sections of our district website. Once all the forms are completed, paperwork should be returned to your school nurse.

ARcare representatives will also be available in person at several upcoming Ward Central Elementary and Westside Elementary family events to discuss the new telehealth services and enroll new members.

For patients who currently have primary care coverage, ARcare will ask that the provider allow them to send a one-time change form for coverage of that visit. This service is NOT to replace a patient's established provider but to offer healthcare for acute minor illness or injury.

If you already have primary care coverage, you will pay your normal co-pay and your insurance provider will be billed. ARcare, as well as our district social worker, will work with patients who do not have insurance. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Vonda Morgan, nursing coordinator, at 501-843-3363 or Vonda.Morgan@cabotschools.org.