Both medical professionals and patients alike greatly benefit from telemedicine services. For example, the adoption of communication based technology services (CBTS) is becoming widespread; Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance payers have relaxed their administrative guidelines and improved their reimbursement models. FH Health Indicators reports that telemedicine visits grew 53% nationally from 2016 to 2017. Here are the top five reasons for clinicians to adopt DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution:
1. Better Access to Care
Making medical care more available is essential to achieving a healthy patient population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 46 million Americans, 15% of the U.S. population, live in rural areas. The nearest medical center is 20+ miles away. With restricted access to public transportation, DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution allows them to get the care they need when they need it. Patients are more likely to be compliant and engaged when they have easy access to prompt, quality medical treatment. In many rural areas, telemedicine provides direct access to specialists which would not otherwise be accessible by patients. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic makes it every more critical for clinicians to reach patients at home.
2. Cost Effectiveness
As the healthcare industry continues to transition from fee-for-service to value-based care, it is critical to reduce expenses. Avoidable readmissions account for $17B in expenses, and preventable emergency use represents $8.3B in costs each year. Both of these numbers may be reduced with improved patient/care team communication via telemedicine visits. Further prooft comes from the Veterans Administration, which reaped an annual savings of $6,500 per patient when using telemedicine services. Other studies have shown a 50% reduction in emergency room visits and 90% reduction in overall hospitalizations of chronically-ill patients. DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution allows for quality value-based care and reduction of readmission costs.
3. Improved Patient Outcomes
Convenience and access to care have proven to be key in maximizing patient engagement and compliance. DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution facilitates high-touch, efficient care options for patients who require frequent monitoring. Whether the impetus is prescription adherence, post-surgical care, chronic disease management or inpatient discharge instructions, this option delivers.
Johns Hopkins reported that medication nonadherence is one of the largest factors negatively impacting health outcomes. In short, these issues can be addressed with DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution, and is recommended the Health Information Technology Playbook.
4. Boost Patient Satisfaction and Engagement
Patient satisfaction is a key indicator for measuring the quality of healthcare. Patient satisfaction scores help ensure optimal reimbursements and higher patient retention rates. But a satisfied patient is also more apt to be engaged in their overall health.
Telemedicine has proven to increase patient satisfaction scores, and in turn, health outcomes. In a Massachusetts General Hospital study, 68% of patients rated their telemedicine visits a 9 or above on a 10 point scale. Their quality of care and convenience of access expectations were exceeded. Another study published in the Annals of Vascular Surgery shows that telemedicine may significantly improve a patient’s satisfaction with postoperative care — as well as their views on quality of life. DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution can help you stay on top of your patients overall quality of care satisfaction and in turn, their overall health outcome.
5. Improved Revenue
There are a number of ways that DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution impacts revenue. Because it’s convenient, virtual care can translate into fewer no-shows and cancellations. These cost practices a great deal of time and money, ranging from 3 – 14% of total clinic income. Telemedicine also facilitates a more efficient clinical schedule with increased billable time. Plus, it allows for the transition of non-paid patient phone calls into revenue generating visits and virtual check-ins.
Finally, DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution can substantially reduces overhead costs per visit, which then promotes improved staff productivity and time savings.