Is Virtual Health Care Effective?

Are there any benefits of virtual health care? Indeed, it’s less expensive, convenient, and can be effective for minor ailments. But how effective is virtual care? And do studies exist? Here are some reasons to help you answer this question.

Less Expensive

One of the reasons that virtual health care is cheaper than in-office visits is its reduced costs. The average healthcare visit costs patients $43 in lost time, in addition to the medical bill. Virtual care eliminates wasted time waiting for appointments and commuting between medical facilities. Virtual appointment booking is also easy, and a built-in billing system streamlines payments for providers and patients. As the use of virtual care increases, so will the number of healthcare providers using remote platforms like CoachCare remote patient monitoring.

More Convenient

Today’s consumers want convenience and speed. Virtual health care is a way to provide on-demand, personalized care for patients without the inconvenience and expense of in-person visits. Because of a shortage of primary care physicians, many Americans cannot access care when needed. Wait times can reach months in many areas. But technology is improving, making virtual care more advanced than ever before. For example, remote therapeutic monitoring was recently established that allows for the observation and control of a broader range of health conditions. It also permits clinicians to conveniently report remote patient management services. This is a new way for doctors and other healthcare providers to track health status remotely and measure adherence and response to treatment. By allowing patients to connect with providers via video conferencing or smartphone apps, more people than ever have access to care.

The cost savings associated with virtual care are impressive. It costs less per visit than a trip to the emergency room. In one study, virtual care cut healthcare costs by 45%. Virtual health care is also increasing access in rural areas, where traditional healthcare is less accessible. Despite this, only 8% of physicians practice in rural areas, and a shortage of doctors is not a deterrent to increasing virtual healthcare access.

It Can Be Effective For Many Minor Conditions.

The federal government has embraced telehealth with a wave of new legislation. The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act includes $200 million for the Federal Communications Commission. This money will help support the development of telehealth programs across the country. Additionally, it will fund telecommunications equipment and medical devices. Virtual health care solutions are a growing trend in health care, and the federal government is taking action to help make them more affordable for everyone.

Since September 2020, perceptions of telehealth have shifted toward favorability. Nearly half of physicians view it favorably compared to before COVID-19. Eighty-four percent of physicians offer virtual care services. However, 54 percent would not consider virtual care if it cost them 15 percent less than traditional in-person care. In addition, most health systems are closely monitoring reimbursement. They are looking for scalable volume decanting and cost savings.

Importance of studies of efficacy and effectiveness

While clinical experience with virtual care is minimal, key performance indicators are needed to determine the impact of such care. By monitoring key metrics, practices can understand how much virtual care they’re offering and how to absorb surges. In addition, studies of the effectiveness of virtual visits and services can help ensure that payment parity is achieved. Federal and state governments are working to ensure that virtual care services are reimbursed equally to in-person care.

While telehealth has been a growing trend for nearly two decades, recent events have prompted the U.S. government to expand telehealth codes to the physician fee schedule. Meanwhile, uncertainty persists regarding what will happen to these services once the current public health emergency is over. As a result, efforts are underway to improve the consumer experience by establishing hybrid virtual/in-person care models.≈≈