April 2019 Volume 17, Number 4 | |||||
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Emerging Telehealth TrendTelehealth/telemedicine is being touted as a great innovation – the ability to talk to a provider anytime of the day from home for little or no cost. There are advantages and disadvantages.
If you sponsor a health care coverage plan for your employees, you might have considered the option of including a telehealth or telemedicine benefit. Many insurers are encouraging the use of electronic health care as a way to reduce your and your employees' premiums and out-of-pocket costs while improving their access to health care.
According to the Global Telemedicine Market Outlook 2022 report, the telemedicine industry is valued at $29.6 billion and is projected to grow 19 percent from 2017 to 2022. Rutgers University found that approximately 90 percent of U.S. hospitals are on the path to implementing a telehealth program, with 50 percent already having a program in place. Advantages
Convenience and accessibility: According to a Cisco global survey, 74 percent of patients prefer the easy access of telehealth to in-person interactions with providers. Employees who have access to a telehealth provider can call and talk to a registered provider any time of the day without an appointment when they have a non-emergency situation. Providers have access to patients’ records and can make diagnoses and prescribe drugs. This is particularly helpful for those who live in remote areas. Disadvantages Fewer In-person visits: Patients who rely on telehealth for all their health care needs often forgo establishing a relationship with a primary physician. A primary care physician can spot potential problems because they get to know their patients. In addition, the telehealth provider might not have access to a patient's records, which could include information about the patient's care routines and history, thus increasing the risk of a misdiagnosis. In addition, not all procedures — even simple checkups — can be performed digitally. To discuss whether telehealth access makes sense for your employee benefits program, please contact us. |
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