NAOHP Webinar Careniva Telehealth Post COVID – Via Google Drive
NAOHP Webinar Careniva Telehealth Post COVID – Via Dropbox
Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we access healthcare services. As social distancing became the norm, telehealth emerged as a convenient and safe alternative for patients, enabling them to receive medical care without leaving their homes. Now, as we slowly emerge from the pandemic, it’s essential to explore the next phase of telehealth and envision its future impact on healthcare. In this blog post, we will discuss the insights shared in a recent webinar session titled “The Next Phase of Telehealth Post-COVID” and delve into the promising trends taking shape in this digital realm.
The State of Telehealth During the Pandemic:
During the webinar, Dr. Larry Earl of NAOHP highlighted how telehealth experienced a surge in adoption amidst the pandemic. Many healthcare practices turned to telehealth as a means to ensure continuity of care while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. This led to a significant increase in telehealth usage, with 80% of physicians utilizing telehealth during the pandemic and 30% of all outpatient visits being conducted virtually. Patients also embraced telehealth, with 80% stating their intent to continue using telehealth services in the future.
The Future Outlook of Telehealth:
Jay Tel Aviv, CEO of CareNiva, shed light on the future of telehealth during the webinar. He highlighted the remarkable increase in telehealth usage during the pandemic, surpassing levels seen prior to 2019. Telehealth is set to become a standard service in the post-COVID era as over 22% of Americans utilized telehealth services within the past four weeks alone. Telehealth is expected to play a key role in offering outpatient care and preventive services, with a significant shift towards this modality.
Regulatory Support for Telehealth:
To promote the growth of telehealth, regulatory bodies like CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) have started introducing new services and amendments. These initiatives are aimed at fostering telehealth adoption and creating a favorable environment for its flourishing in the future. With over 276 telehealth services currently available, the integration of telehealth into primary care visits and specialized care is expected to streamline healthcare delivery and make it more accessible.
Benefits and Challenges of Telehealth Adoption:
Despite the immense benefits offered by telehealth, there are challenges to consider. During the webinar, Jay Tel Aviv highlighted that ad hoc tools used during the pandemic often require installations, manual coordination, and lack integration with existing systems. However, professional telehealth solutions like CareNiva’s comprehensive telehealth platform provide an end-to-end experience, eliminating the need for complex coordination and increasing convenience for both patients and healthcare providers. Such solutions also enhance patient-provider rapport by providing automatic reminders, easy scheduling, and integration with other EMR systems.
Telehealth and Workers’ Compensation:
Telehealth has proven to be an ideal solution for workers’ compensation visits. From triage to training sessions, telehealth enables immediate and efficient assessment of injuries, reduces waiting time, and provides necessary care without the need to physically visit a clinic. This results in significant time savings for both employers and service providers.
Reimbursement for Telehealth Services:
Reimbursement for telehealth services has been steadily improving, with many services now being reimbursed at levels comparable to in-person visits. CMS is actively working to align reimbursement rates to promote further telehealth adoption. As reimbursement levels become more reasonable, the cost-efficiency of telehealth becomes a pivotal factor in its widespread adoption.
Establishing Patient Rapport through Telehealth:
Navigating patients’ resistance and apprehension is essential in establishing rapport through telehealth, especially in workers’ compensation cases. By emphasizing telehealth’s convenience, time-saving benefits, and reduction in exposure risks, employers can encourage employees to embrace telehealth. Simplifying the technology and offering user-friendly platforms, like CareNiva, eliminates barriers and ensures a seamless telehealth experience for all users.
Integration with Existing EHR Systems:
To minimize disruption and maximize efficiency, telehealth platforms, including CareNiva, offer integration with existing Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. This integration enables seamless data transfer and ensures that all patient information and visit records are efficiently synchronized.
Conclusion:
As we embark on the next phase of telehealth, it becomes evident that this digital revolution is here to stay. The surge in usage during the pandemic has accelerated telehealth’s adoption, emphasizing its ability to improve accessibility, convenience, and cost-efficiency in healthcare delivery. Regulatory support, increased reimbursement, and the development of professional telehealth platforms are key factors driving its growth.
Telehealth offers a transformative solution for the future of healthcare, expanding its reach to rural areas, empowering patients with greater control over their healthcare decisions, and simplifying healthcare delivery for providers. As we embrace this new era, the continued collaboration between healthcare organizations, regulatory bodies, and telehealth providers will pave the way for a brighter and more accessible future of healthcare.
To learn more about the comprehensive telehealth platform offered by CareNiva and its integration capabilities with existing systems, please visit our website or contact us for a private demonstration of our services.
This Webinar Was Sponsored By:
