Under specific circumstances, it can be difficult for patients to visit doctors physically for check-ups. It can be due to the severity of their illness or other factors such as the sheer distance that they need to travel to consult a physician. Telemedicine can thus be the solution to all such issues, allowing patients to avail of treatment at any time and from anywhere.
According to a report, the implementation of telemedicine technology in India can lead to annual savings of up to $5 billion every year. It would also reduce outpatient consultations by half.
What does telemedicine encompass?
Telemedicine is a form of digital consultation where the physician and the patient connect via phone calls or video calls. Some healthcare providers may also extend treatment through messaging and emails under this form of healthcare assistance. Regardless of the exact procedure, one can classify telemedicine as communication and treatment over the electronic media.
Apart from consultations, this medium of communication between doctors and their patients can also help one in seeking physical therapy and, in some cases, emergency care as well.
Benefits of telemedicine for patients
As a patient, you can expect the following advantages after adopting telemedicine as your primary source for consultations with your physician –
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Reduced expenses
Telemedicine can be a suitable option when you are looking to cut down on treatment costs. Apart from reducing the amount of time you spend in the hospital, such a form of consultation also limits your commute-related expenses. Over time, even such small costs tend to add up and lead to substantial expenditures.
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Convenient healthcare assistance
Convenience is a major factor to consider when talking about the advantages of this digital consultation platform. You do not need to venture out of your home to consult the doctor. Instead, you can just switch on your phone to book an appointment and consult with your doctor regarding any health concerns.
Elderly patients can benefit greatly from this convenience since it is always difficult for these individuals to commute a long distance just for a consultation.
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Limiting exposure to deadly diseases
When patients with a weakened immune system visit a doctor’s chambers for consultation, they are more likely to contract other unknown diseases from the other patients present there. Whether it is a viral condition or a bacterial disease, commuting to the hospital or clinic to consult with your physician increases the risk of contracting one.
Fortunately, with telemedicine, you do not have to worry about such exposure because you can speak with your care provider from the confines of your home.
When is telemedicine highly useful?
Telemedicine is useful against any health condition or disorder that does not require you to undergo physical examinations or laboratory testing. This process of treatment has also found favor in the current scenario, where personal consultations are severely restricted between doctors and patients.
As for normal circumstances, telemedicine expenses are not covered under health insurance policies. Thus, individuals need to bear the associated expenses from their own pockets. However, you can take advantage of financial tools like a Bajaj Finserv Digital Health EMI Network Card if you find paying for telemedicine charges immediately to be inconvenient.
How can a health card help you with tele-consultations?
Health cards are special financial products that come with a pre-sanctioned limit, exclusively to fund medical expenses. With such a card, you can pay for the telemedicine consultation charges accrued for the time being, deferring any immediate liability. Later, you can repay this sum through EMIs, ensuring convenience and ease.
Existing Bajaj Finserv EMI Network members can avail of this health card online whenever they require financial assistance to deal with medical needs. Here is a look at some of its benefits –
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A tenor of up to 2 years for medical bill clearance – You can choose to fulfill your medical liabilities by converting the entire sum into EMIs payable in 24 equated monthly installments. Alternatively, if the dues are limited, you can also clear the same off over a minimum duration of three EMIs.
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Instant activation – If you come across a sudden shortage of funds while availing teleconsultation, you can apply for the health card and begin using it to fund your treatments or consultations immediately. Since the card is digital, you do not even need to wait for it to arrive by post.
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Substantial pre-approved limit – Considering the current state of healthcare in India, one needs to possess a strong financial background to be able to avail of quality treatment. The health card, with its considerable limit of up to Rs.4 lakh, can thus be sufficient when it comes to seeking treatment.
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Nominal joining fees – The joining fee for a health card is often lower than what an individual would need to spend immediately on the actual doctor’s consultation. Thus, opting for such a financial product is never beyond one’s reach. Hence, while a non-insta variant requires you to pay a one-time fee of Rs.589; its insta variant is available against a joining fee of Rs.707.
Also, the health card can be utilised to fund over 800 treatments and consultations across the country. With its network partners comprising more than 5,500 facilities across 1,000 plus cities in India, Bajaj Finserv makes paying for healthcare assistance with its Health EMI Network Card more convenient.
With its increasing accessibility, telemedicine may be the future of patient-doctor consultations in India. The availability of a health card only further ensures that affordability never becomes a hassle when seeking healthcare assistance through such technologically advanced platforms.
