Telehealth Trends to Watch: Post-pandemic Insights
Posted by 1st Providers Choice on
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reshaped the healthcare landscape, positioning telehealth as a critical component of modern medical care.
A striking 64% of healthcare leaders have noticed this shift, underscoring telehealth’s rapid rise. This momentum is poised to continue, strengthened by recent legislative support. On May 15, the House Energy and Commerce Committee rolled out a telehealth extension legislation aiming to make remote care more accessible for both patients and providers.
These legislative efforts highlight the essential role of telehealth, providing a framework for its continued integration into the healthcare system. For healthcare providers, adapting to the changing landscape and leveraging technologies for Medicare telehealth are essential to delivering exceptional patient care.
Integrate Telehealth Services Into Your Practice
Discover How Our Telehealth Software Can Help
Changing Patient Preferences
It’s fascinating to see how much patient preferences have influenced the rapid adoption of telehealth. Remarkably, 43% of healthcare leaders point to patient demand as a key factor driving this change.
Think about it: who wouldn’t prefer the convenience of consulting with their doctor from their own living room? No more commuting, no more waiting rooms, and certainly no more juggling work schedules. This preference has been a driving force behind the increased use of telehealth software for Medicare telehealth services. Such a trend ensures that virtual care is not just a temporary solution but a lasting change in accessing quality care.
From Crisis Response to Preferred Care Option
Initially, clinics offered telehealth services for Medicare patients as a convenient alternative in emergencies, but now it’s much more than that. As people have gotten used to the idea and experienced the benefits, their expectations have changed.
Now, patients seek care that’s not just effective but also fits seamlessly into their lives. They drive this demand by consistently choosing telehealth or televisit options, signaling providers to continue expanding these services to meet their expectations.
How Each Generation Uses Medicare Telehealth
Did you know that different age groups use telehealth for different reasons? Let’s dive into the fascinating trends revealed by a recent study by Dr. Erin Spaulding and her colleagues.
- – Younger adults are increasingly turning to telehealth for mental health and substance abuse issues. 16.94% of telehealth visits were for these reasons, emphasizing the convenience telehealth offers in accessing care discreetly and comfortably.
- – For older adults, telehealth for Medicare is primarily a tool for managing chronic conditions. The study found that older adults were over twice as likely to report using telehealth for chronic disease management compared to other age groups. This finding highlights the practical benefits of telehealth, providing medical oversight without the hassle of frequent in-person visits.
- – Across all age groups, telehealth is commonly used for minor or acute illnesses (32.15% of visits) and annual exams (16.22%).
These comparative insights highlight telehealth’s versatility in meeting diverse care needs. By responding to these trends, healthcare providers can better tailor their telehealth services to meet the specific needs of each age group.
Clinic Utilization and Operational Changes
In response to heightened demand, clinics have integrated virtual care into their services post COVID-19. Recent data demonstrates telehealth’s prominence across primary care (47%), behavioral health (41%), specialty consultations (40%), and physician-to-physician interactions (39%).
Despite its rapid adoption, integrating telehealth into clinic operations has been challenging. Medicare telehealth providers and many clinics across the country have encountered hurdles such as:
- Technological Integration: Implementing robust telehealth platforms and ensuring compatibility with existing electronic health record (EHR) systems.
- Regulatory Compliance: Navigating complex regulations and ensuring adherence to telehealth-specific guidelines and reimbursement policies.
- Workflow Adaptation: Adjusting clinical workflows to include virtual visits seamlessly without disrupting patient care or provider schedules.
- Patient Engagement: Educating patients about telehealth services, addressing connectivity issues, and ensuring equitable access across diverse patient demographics.
Benefits of Offering Medicare Telehealth Services
Clinics embracing telehealth have reported numerous benefits:
- – Patients enjoy the convenience of virtual visits, which reduce travel time and wait times in crowded waiting rooms.
- – Telehealth expands access for patients in remote or underserved areas, enhancing healthcare equity.
- – Facilitates more accessible communication between primary care providers, specialists, and patients, leading to more coordinated and complete care plans.
- – Virtual appointments lessen the likelihood of missed appointments, improving clinic efficiency and revenue.
EHR Software and Telehealth Integration
Electronic health records make telehealth services a breeze for both the provider and the patient. For instance, the award-winning EHR from 1st Providers Choice boosts telehealth experiences with features that cater to providers and patients, such as:
- Patient Portal provides patients with timely access to medical records, lab results, and personalized health information.
- Appointment Scheduling streamlines scheduling processes for providers and patients, ensuring efficient time management.
- Secure Messaging enables secure communication, guaranteeing confidentiality while promoting continuous care and patient-provider interaction.
The recent Medicare telehealth extension underscores the pivotal role of EHR systems in supporting telehealth expansion. This legislation broadens telehealth access by permitting visits from any location and extending audio-only telehealth billing for two years.
Takeaway
As telehealth continues evolving, clinics leverage its versatility to enhance patient care delivery across many specialties. While challenges persist in integrating these services, the benefits—such as increased patient satisfaction and improved care accessibility—are compelling.
By addressing operational challenges and maximizing the benefits of telehealth, clinics can effectively meet the healthcare needs of their patient populations more flexibly and efficiently.
Tap Into Our Expertise
Integrating telehealth services with comprehensive EHR solutions is essential for clinics aiming to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. At 1st Providers Choice, we offer unique and tailored services to make this transition seamless for our clients.
Here’s how we can help:
- Implementation Process: Our experienced team, including data conversion experts and programmers, ensures an efficient transition from your existing program to our new EHR software.
- Comprehensive Support: We assign a dedicated Project Manager and Support Person to oversee your implementation process, ensuring every step is handled carefully.
- Flexible Training Options: We understand that every clinic has its own unique needs. Whether you prefer remote training or on-site visits, we tailor our approach to suit your specific requirements, ensuring you and your staff are comfortable with the telehealth-integrated EHR system.
If you’re ready to take the next step in optimizing your telehealth services, contact us today to learn more about how our EHR solutions can benefit your practice.