Physicians saw a rise between 50 to 175 times in patient consultation through telehealth in 2021 as compared to pre-pandemic period according to the McKinsey & Company report. Gradually the vaccine is being made available to everyone thus, our defences have strengthened against COVID-19. So, you must be wondering if telehealth will be essential now?
CMS expanded telehealth coverage during the pandemic and it plans to make these changes permanent.
Patients who visit healthcare facilities for any other health issue face the risk of getting infected by COVID-19 says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Infact they state that these infections impact emotionally, medically and financially in a devastating manner.
Even after the vaccinations, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing is necessary as per the advice of the public health authorities. In these testing times telehealth can be a feasible solution.
How can telehealth help now and in future as well?
Telehealth solutions gives easy access to medical professionals with no waiting time before seeing a doctor and the costs for consulting are lower as compared to in-person visit.
With the government and the healthcare industry interested in expanding and strengthening the virtual services, telehealth services are most likely to be an important medium to offer healthcare now and in future as well.
How effective is telehealth?
You may wonder if medical professionals can correctly diagnose a medical condition over a phone, or through a video chat.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians survey conducted before the pandemic, 78% of the respondents believed that the use of telemedicine has upgraded the quality of healthcare, making it easy to access. Doctors have started believing that it delivers advantages and efficiencies to patients.
Infact the pandemic has opened up the possibility of using telehealth solutions to people who thought they would never opt for it. Patients now have got a taste of it and have embraced it as a feasible solution.
Virtual consultations are not much different from the traditional consultations. You can see a medical professional through a video consultation by using an app, mobile device or a website offering telemedicine services.
How does telehealth work?
You can share your symptoms with the doctor who will ask you certain questions and you have to answer them. You can ask questions to the doctor too if you don’t understand something, who then diagnoses your health issue and discusses the treatment with you. When the doctor needs to put you on medication, they can call in the prescription for you to the pharmacy of your choice.
If you don’t like being on a video some doctors are quite okay with a traditional phone call.
Whenever you request for an appointment you have to share your current health concerns and the telehealth service provider will match your healthcare requirement with an appropriate medical professional who has proper credentials and license to practice in your state. Just in case you are traveling you will be connected to a doctor practicing in that particular state. But if you are not in the U.S., telehealth services aren’t offered by a U.S. plan provider within the network.
How to access telehealth services?
Health insurance plan that you have at present may allow access to telehealth services. You can access virtual care by using an in-network provider for telehealth. Most often it’s a nationwide service. Go through your plan documents for more details.
There is a co-pay for virtual visits in most cases. But during the pandemic some healthcare providers have chosen to reduce or waive off the payments for telehealth during the pandemic. But this provision might change soon, so check with your insurance provider to make sure that you are still covered for telehealth consultation. Find out if you will have to pay out of your pocket.
If you have a doctor you prefer to see and have built a connect with, then you might get the impression that telehealth isn’t a good option for you. Well, telehealth service providers always focus on supporting you rather than replacing your preferred personal physician with someone else.
If you don’t have insurance then some telehealth providers won’t accept your request. Though at times they allow to book one-time visits online. But the flip side of this facility or provision is that you pay the full cost out of pocket.
Our team at Lifecycle Health is here to assist you with a telehealth platform, which offers secure video and messaging services, document sharing, reminder notifications, and much more.
Get in touch with our team to share your requirements.