Perhaps you may be reading this on your laptop, tablet, or iPhone; WHY? Did someone suggest it? Your doctor? Your pharmacist? A healthcare provider? Your health insurance adviser? A friend? Or just a lucky chance?
Whatever the reason, when reading this article about telehealth, you already have everything you need to have your next consultation with your doctor without needing to visit their office. Your smartphone, your laptop, your iPad, or your desktop computer and internet access are all you need to set up your next meeting with your doctor. You may ask yourself – Why should I do that? What are the advantages?
There are four groups of advantages that Telehealth (Telemedicine) offers. They are: –
- Convenience
The prefix ‘tele’ gives us a clue. ‘Tele’ comes from the Greek meaning ‘far off.’ And that is precisely what Telehealth offers: the opportunity to access healthcare at a distance.’ We can talk (or video chat) to our primary care physician, consultant, or nurse without needing to leave home. Perhaps the first use of technology was to use the telephone to arrange a mutually convenient time for a consultation either in the doctor’s office or in your own home. It is only a small step to harness the television technology to have the actual consultation without leaving the comfort of your living space.
Telehealth brings more convenient care to anyone with mobility limitations, parents with infants, older people, or anyone living in a remote area.
- Access to specialists
There are specialists in every branch of healthcare. Using telehealth, your primary care physician (PCP) can authorize your access to the appropriate consultant, and you can visit (virtually) anywhere in the country from the comfort of your home.
- Risk
The elderly and the very young are at greater risk of being infected by contagious diseases (Covid-19 and its variants, for example) at any time. Your immune system may be compromised. In any circumstance, limiting physical contact wherever possible and proximity makes sense, especially in enclosed spaces. Virtual visits to your healthcare providers help to minimize these risks to yourself and your loved ones.
Early diagnosis and treatment of a condition will invariably lessen its severity and duration. Using telehealth can shorten your wait for an appointment and give you access to the medication or treatment you need.
Finally, and for many people, most importantly
- Cost saving
The most obvious saving is the cost of travel, either yours or your visiting care provider. Perhaps you must consider the cost or inconvenience of childcare and the loss of working time, or maybe you have mobility issues. You can visit your healthcare provider virtually from home, your workplace, and even your car. A chronic condition or one leading to frequent doctor visits can be a considerable expense, which telehealth can significantly reduce.
Your savings will depend on your health insurance plan choice and whether you have reached your deductible. Typically, a telehealth visit to the doctor will cost $40-$50 compared with in-person care as much as $170. A visit to the ER can cost between $1500 and $3000 (if you have no insurance or have not met your deductible, Bettercare 02.04.24). Two-thirds of ER visits are ‘false alarms.’
A telehealth call can give you the advice and reassurance you need to save you an unnecessary visit to the ER, your time, and your money.
How do I set up telehealth?
First of all, you should talk to your doctor. Perhaps they already offer telehealth, in which case your next question should be
- Is telehealth appropriate to my (my dependents) health condition (s)?
Even if your doctor does not offer a telehealth service, they may recommend a medical practice that does.
Not all doctors offer telehealth services, nor do all health insurers offer plans that include coverage of telehealth services. You can approach a qualified health insurance broker. A broker will act on your behalf to find the best ACA-compliant plan to meet your needs and the network of providers that offers the most appropriate coverage.
Possibly, you may need to change your plan or your insurance provider. Unless you have the opportunity of a Special Enrollment Period, e.g., a forthcoming birth, a change of location, or a dependent aging on or off your plan, you will have to wait until Open Enrollment in the fall. Now is the time to consider your options.
Will my medical records be secure and virtual meetings kept confidential?
In short, the answer is Yes. Your records and conversations are subject to the same regulations as a face-to-face appointment. Technically, this is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
HIPAA sets standards for security requirements, which include
- Administrative procedures
- Physical safeguards
- Technical security services
- Technical security mechanisms
All your healthcare providers are subject to HIPAA security standards, whether you access them in person, through telehealth (electronically), or face-to-face.
On a laptop, tablet, or iPhone?
Take the next step. Call your doctor today! Find out if you could benefit from telehealth tomorrow!
