You can call up a quote from Shakespeare in seconds, send a message to the other side of the globe immediately, and even buy a car, all from your smartphone, laptop, or tablet. So why not get checked by a physician? Why not, indeed.
Such is the attraction of telemedicine – the practice of health care from a remote location, which is on the rise and has proven to be quite effective as an attractive option for many health care providers and their patients.
Using live video transmission, typically through an online app designated by the provider, doctors and patients can see each other and talk in real time about any health care concerns or questions – all without needing to be in the same exam room together. Although telemedicine is not a complete replacement for direct patient care, it can be a useful tool for a variety of medical services, such as evaluation, diagnosis, and prescribing treatment.
Patients benefit from staying in the comfort of their own homes, oftentimes with a caregiver taking part in the telemedicine session to provide additional information and follow-up care. The potential spread of germs and infection in clinics and hospitals is minimized. Those patients living in rural areas, or who have difficulty arranging transportation, can access quality medical care in a much more convenient manner. And those patients recovering from surgery or severe illness can be readily monitored through telemedicine visits.
For many patients, obtaining medical care represents a significant cost in time, resources, and money. Telemedicine helps lower those barriers, while helping to enhance the value of regular visits with the doctor. As access to electronic medical records expands, physicians can combine this technology with telemedicine to bring patients even higher quality care.
Check with your benefits provider to see how telemedicine fits into your medical coverage, potentially lowering costs while improving the doctor-patient relationship. The Benefits team at The Reschini Group can help in this regard.
Copyright 2019 The Reschini Group
The Reschini Group provides these updates for information only, and does not provide legal advice. To make decisions regarding insurance matters, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional or firm.