New phone line that connects people to offer answers to orthopaedic questions
BUFFALO, NY – UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is now offering a free service where people can call and speak with a physician assistant if they have an orthopaedic question or to receive advice or information on a minor injury.
Anybody in the Western New York community can call this phone line and be connected to a physician assistant. They do not have to be a patient of UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, and insurance information is not collected for use of the service.
“This service was created to help our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that people do not want to leave their homes right now, but that they’re still suffering from musculoskeletal problems,” said Dr. Leslie Bisson, president of UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, sports medicine physician, June A. and Eugene R. Mindell, M.D. Professor and Chair of Orthopedic Surgery, University at Buffalo.
The phone consultation line differs from UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine’s telemedicine service in that insurance information is not collected at the time of the call and they are not connected to a physician via video. The call is answered by a patient service representative who will collect some basic information regarding the person’s concern. Shortly afterwards they will receive a call back from one of UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine’s physician assistants.
The PA will take a brief history and help the patient determine what next steps to take. For more serious problems, a telemedicine appointment or even an in-office visit may be recommended.
“We have found ourselves in a world where the way people are accessing healthcare has totally changed. UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is proud to offer this service,” said Bisson. “It’s free because we want to do everything we can to be here for the WNY community and help in this time of need.”
People can call 716.906.5951 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to utilize this service.
While this service can help those with less urgent orthopaedic injuries or questions, UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is still suggesting people to utilize the UB OrthoCare service for more urgent orthopaedic concerns. To request an appointment for UB OrthoCare, patients can call 716.204.3200 and schedule an appointment at the Amherst Health Center in Amherst or BrookBridge in Orchard Park.