In recent times, the traditional healthcare system has evolved, bringing new possibilities with the advent of remotely enabled technology such as telehealth apps for clinicians and patients. The ongoing pandemic crisis resulted in a gap of access to healthcare for patients suffering from stroke symptoms, inflamed appendixes, infected gall bladders and more The Washington Post reported.
The new normal brought on by the pandemic has forced us to meet healthcare demands with the use of digital communication and the delivery of services similar just as the business world has moved towards automation and artificial intelligence.
One approach through which both the patients and clinicians can benefit from telehealth apps.
Telemedicine is showing promising results, but more progress is still needed. In fact, in a survey by Mordor Intelligence, global IT healthcare is expected to reach $20 billion by 2020.
The integration of healthcare and technology goes back to the 20th century when electrocardiograph data was transmitted over telephone wires. Telehealth apps are yet another innovative solution for healthcare providers and patients alike, improving access to basic healthcare. Through the use of such telehealth apps, clinicians, physicians and other healthcare professionals can interact, diagnose and provide remote counseling or treatments.
Does It Work?
Telehealth services enable clinicians/doctors to more accurately diagnose, increase the chances of regular checkups, and ensure consistent and reliable patient from a distance .
It takes just a few minutes for a patient to connect with a clinician using telehealth applications, helping healthcare providers, as well as patients to save plenty of time on travel, waiting, etc.
Some of the key features available in telehealth platforms:
Will I Receive Payment?
One of the ways telehealth technology is regarded as revolutionary is largely due to the remote service benefits it has to offer, with the same applying to its unique mode of payment mechanisms. The innovative apps, much like replacing the need for in-person doctor visits, have also provided a substitute for making your payments for any service rendered.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in their Virtual Check-In code introduced in the 2019 MPFS stated that they agreed to pay for routine phone calls (service fee of $15 for a 5- to 10-minute call comparable to a virtual check-in) between patients and their practitioners
But telehealth apps differ in their payment structures majorly based upon the regulations laid down by each state in the US.
The state’s rules and regulations apply to service providers based on the location of the license, the same applies to Insurance Policies and the reimbursement terms and conditions.
Currently, the US healthcare system is based on a fee-for-service model, which advocates for monetization of each session of healthcare e.g. seeking medical counseling through videoconferencing as compared to the value-based model – a system in which service providers or clinicians aren’t paid per service but rather compensated for providing thorough patient care.
Gradually the sector is also taking into account the need to create a safe and secure method to collect the copay and other out-of-pocket payments from patients.
Several ways have been adopted by various clinicians to guarantee risk-free payment mechanisms such as booking an appointment for a patient by using their respective credit card information and making a transaction after the visit.
Will I Be Liable?
Much has been changed due to the ongoing pandemic crises and a lot of the developments of the telehealth apps have rapidly started picking pace due to the overwhelming response and the same can be said about the laws that govern such complex mechanisms.
One of the positive steps taken by the US Government during the Covid outbreak was to remove all bureaucratic barriers needed to fully make use of the technology and one such barrier was ensuring healthcare providers would not be penalized for HIPAA privacy violations that occurred while providing telehealth in March, 2020.
Before this change in law, healthcare providers had to ensure no patient data privacy breach took place while using any of the modes of communication available in telehealth apps such as video conferencing
Furthermore, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced removing existing barriers inclusive of payment provisions for Medicare and Medicaid patients with respect to telehealth apps. The CARES Act was also passed to provide additional funding for telemedicine providers in the US.
A healthcare provider may be held liable for the following issues covered by the Notification of Enforcement Discretion regarding COVID-19 and remote telehealth communications by The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
However, if the patient’s data privacy is intercepted during the usage of telehealth services, this will not be deemed a breach of privacy as a result of the good faith in the provision of telehealth services during the COVID-19.
Will It Work In My Practice?
Telehealth encompasses services that include: medical education, e-health patient monitoring and consultation via video conferencing, health wireless applications, sharing of image medical reports etc.
All these functions have different software and technological requirements such as using different tools for remote diagnosis and monitoring whereas different tools for conducting video conferencing for consultation.
In different parts of the Globe and US – Telehealth services have been catering to several key niche specialties for example:
As per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a “health care provider” is defined as a provider of medical or health services and any other person or organization who furnishes, bills, or is paid for health care in the normal course of business.
“Health care providers include: physicians, nurses, clinics, hospitals, home health aides, therapists, other mental health professionals, dentists, pharmacists, laboratories, and any other person or entity that provides health care.”
There are numerous benefits of Telehealth apps for Clinicians, especially during the Covid-19 outbreak catering to their patients through telehealth remote patient monitoring using video consultations, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. Through this technology, patients can save substantial time and costs in travel, waiting and, to avail consultation services.
