A patient’s ability to better access healthcare and overcome traditional barriers of time and distance comes with the help of innovative technologies.
To keep up in a world consumed by tech, the healthcare industry continues to listen to the demands of its consumers with further acceptance and utilization of telemedicine. Here are some trends emerging in telemedicine this year.
Doctors and Patients Continue to Embrace Telemedicine
For most, the comfort and convenience of consulting with a doctor from the safety of their own home is a tremendous advantage — and continues to gain acceptance by both consumers and doctors.
Telemedicine uses technology to facilitate communication, via phone or video chat. This communication is between a doctor and patient who are not in the same physical location for the purpose of medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. It is anticipated that this form of telecommunication will become a healthcare norm, as younger physicians are being more exposed to digital health in educational settings.
More Insurers Are Covering Telemedicine
“As telemedicine becomes more widely used and accepted, insurance companies and government-administered healthcare programs increasingly are stepping up to cover such care.”
Dr. Savage, CEO for Care on Location
Telemedicine is available 24/7 and (if offered to you) you can use this benefit from the comfort of your home, office, or when on vacation. This type of care is bridging the gap of time, distance and affordability to reach patients in need of medical attention.
The Benefits of Telemedicine
Telemedicine offers numerous benefits for both doctors and patients including the following:
- Telemedicine enables patients in both rural and urban areas to connect with specialists who may be hundreds of miles away.
- Patients save money by cutting down on travel expenses for distant doctor visits, and copays are often cheaper than in-office visits.
- Patients avoid long-wait times sometimes experienced at urgent care facilities, doctor’s offices and emergency rooms.
- Doctors can be more efficient in the number of patients they see in each day, which can help reduce overhead and related costs.
- Remote monitoring can prevent hospital readmission by properly supervising care virtually following a patient’s discharge from the hospital.
Implementing a benefits strategy equipped with cutting edge tools in healthcare technology can help an organization attract and retain top employee talent.
Telemedicine is not a complete replacement for in-person healthcare, but it can be a tremendously helpful supplement and even a temporary substitute for traditional care.
Information provided by The DO. Click here to learn more about telemedicine.
Trust the Creative Benefits Team to keep you informed on the latest industry trends. Questions? Contact us at 866-306-0200 or solutions@creativebenefitsinc.com.