Early in the pandemic, virtual medical staff use increased since virtual care was a safe method to get needed care. Popularity grew as more individuals discovered the convenience and ease of contacting a provider online. Employers are realizing the benefits of telehealth more than ever before, not just as a method to reduce growing medical expenses and boost the bottom line, but also to fulfill the needs of employees who want greater control over their healthcare.
DrCatalyst discusses their vision for telehealth in 2022, including topics such as value-based care, mental health, provider shortages, transparency, and more.
Telehealth Will Make Value-Based Care More Effective
As the healthcare system in the United States continues to evolve toward value-based care, telehealth will play an increasingly important role as a high-touch, low-cost approach to population management. Virtual medical receptionists add another point of contact between clinicians and patients that is rapid, economical, and effective, streamlining care delivery and increasing health outcomes.
More Americans Will Seek Mental Health Treatment Via Online Channels
The country's mental health situation is severe and worsening. In fact, the rise in burnout and other mental and emotional issues, particularly among younger employees, has been dubbed a twin pandemic. Virtual medical staff is a Joint Commission-accredited company that allows healthcare facilities to provide virtual access to licenced, board-certified physicians for their patients. However, chronic provider scarcity, long wait times, high out-of-pocket expenses, and highly restricted networks are severe impediments for those in need of treatment – even if they have solid insurance plans.
Teletherapy And Telepsychiatry Have Already Begun To Address Gaps In Service
Employers understand that mental health and healthcare expenditures are inextricably linked : According to a Tufts Medical Center and One Mind at Work survey, the average yearly health expenditures of a depressed employee are $10,000 – more than twice the cost of a depressed employee. As a result, more businesses are turning to virtual assistant services for medical practice to eliminate barriers and provide their employees with the treatments they require.
DrCatalyst has assisted both our English and Spanish speaking patients. Their response time, voicemail TAT, and ability to provide quick answers or transfer to onsite personnel as needed has been a blessing. They recently began making outbound calls to assist in converting online submissions into new patients.
As Businesses Expand Their Offerings, Virtual Primary Care Can Help To Alleviate Widespread Provider Shortages
Another sector challenged by provider shortages is primary care. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, the US might be short 55,200 primary care physicians by 2032, a situation compounded by a countrywide growth in healthcare requirements.
The shortfall is quite concerning, as primary care is critical to overall health. A plethora of medical studies link primary care access to better health outcomes, and data from the Oregon Health Authority demonstrates that every $1 invested in primary care saves $13 in downstream expenses.
It is also the key to managing chronic illnesses, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are the leading causes of healthcare expenses for organizations.
Fortunately, telehealth has also come in to fill this need. Businesses will use virtual primary care in 2022 and beyond to save healthcare expenses and guarantee employees have access to the routine, preventative care they require.
Telehealth Will Increase Transparency Throughout The Healthcare System
Consumers in the United States are also seeking greater transparency in medical transcription service companies pricing, from hospital facility fees and clinic visits to prescription costs and imaging. While most healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical firms have been slow to satisfy this requirement, telehealth has long been a pioneer in openness. Employers never have to worry about how much telehealth will cost because it is always a set per-visit rate. Websites for doctors can help you grow your practice by increasing your visibility to potential patients.
Telehealth will continue to set the standard for openness across the U.S. healthcare system now and in the future, allowing employers and employees to make better, more informed decisions about their treatment.
Omnichannel Care Meets The Needs Of A Changing Society
Employees are experiencing far greater freedom as a result of so many people continuing to work from home despite the epidemic. It's no wonder that people expect flexibility from their healthcare as well, paving the path for an omnichannel strategy.
Businesses are developing health-care plans that put their employees in control, allowing them to select when, when, and how they get care. Patients will reclaim their proper place at the heart of the healthcare experience, and they will be able to receive services on their own terms, whether through video visits, phone consultations, text interactions with clinicians, or conventional in-person treatment. DrCatalyst is a growth and productivity partnership. We can devote more space to onsite patient visits, have lower onsite technology and supply costs, focus more on onsite staff and reduce turnover, avoid HIPAA concerns with remote staff during COVID, and their training is second to none. For more info on virtual medical staff, visit us immediately!
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