How Telehealth Solution Helps Reduce Costs & Improve Healthcare Outcomes?

Nidhi Thakur

22 Mar 2024

The healthcare landscape underwent a significant transformation amid the pandemic. And if there is one good thing about COVID-19, it’s the importance of platforms like telehealth and telemedicine. Medicare now covers more telehealth services. Many US states have mandated insurers to cover telehealth care, making it accessible to patients across the country. It emerges as a convenient and cost-effective solution for care providers to treat their patients and streamline their workflow. But, that’s not all.

In this blog, we’ll explore the transformative potential of telehealth, and how it helps improve the overall patient; outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.

How Telehealth Reduces Healthcare Costs?

In recent years, the interest in telehealth software development has grown. According to a study, the global telehealth market is expected to reach $559,52 billion by 2027 in the United States. Further, the Federal Funding for Medicare & Medicaid is increasing, creating a myriad of opportunities for businesses.

Further, 18% of the US’s GDP goes to health spending, which is projected to reach up to 20% by 2028. Clearly, with the increasing healthcare coverage costs and low-income patients finding it difficult to access quality care, it is critical to look for ways to decrease healthcare costs while not compromising quality and effectiveness.

This is where telehealth & telemedicine come into the picture. Here are some of the ways telehealth helps reduce healthcare costs-

Cuts Down Transportation Costs

Travel or transportation costs are not just about patients. This also includes how much the doctor’s visit costs to the healthcare provider. By using telemedicine & telehealth apps, it becomes easy to prioritize and optimize emergency health cases, cut down clinician travel costs, and avoid unnecessary visits. Likewise, telehealth makes life easier by eliminating the need to visit the doctor’s office for minor queries, thereby saving a lot of money.

Remote Patient Monitoring

Whether a patient has just been discharged from the hospital or the patient has an implanted device that needs to be monitored, remote patient monitoring allows the care staff to keep track of their conditions frequently. Also, not all these practices are to be done in the clinic. Telehealth allows providers to monitor their patients’ health online, thus reducing healthcare costs.

Home-Based Triage

In cases where clinician visits are not necessary, televisits with nurses or primary care staff can deliver important consultations. If a patient is in a critical condition, remote appointments can speed up ambulance visits and allow physicians to take proactive steps to manage the patient’s health conditions.

Reduces Readmission Costs

Regular check-ups after getting discharged from the hospital can help keep patients healthy and reduce their chances of returning. Some check-ups don't need to be done in person and can be done over the phone or through video calls. With telemedicine/telehealth solutions, it is easier for patients to get the care they need and improve their health outcomes.

More Appointments

In most cases, the number of appointments a healthcare provider can offer depends on how many patients they can see at once. But not every appointment needs tests right away—sometimes patients just need to talk to a doctor. Telemedicine can help providers see more patients for initial appointments, and using EHRs can make it easier for doctors to manage paperwork and appointments.

These are some of the ways telehealth helps in cost savings. Now let’s explore how it helps improve patients’ outcomes.

How Telehealth Improves Healthcare Outcomes?

Amid the pandemic, Telehealth was the only available option for patients to receive care. However, even in the post-pandemic era, people prefer using advanced telemedicine and telehealth software solutions due to the convenience they offer. Following are some of the ways telehealth improves healthcare outcomes-

Makes Healthcare Accessible to the Rural Population

Using electronic health records (EHR) and telehealth tools helps patients stay in touch with their doctors no matter where they are. They can have online check-ups and video calls with healthcare providers without having to go to the doctor's office.

This is especially helpful for patients with chronic illness or after leaving the hospital, as they can be diagnosed on a more regular basis without having to travel. This way, telehealth saves patients time and money and gives them more options for when and how they see their doctor.

More Comprehensive Treatment Planning

With telehealth practice, patients can manage their visits to doctors for many reasons, like their inability to travel long distances, urgencies, etc. Telemedicine/telehealth eliminates such barriers, as patients only need their smartphone/desktop and 15-30 minutes to receive online care.

Also, patients are well-acquainted with most telehealth platforms or programs. This allows them to participate in their treatment planning actively. Besides, other medical specialists can also access this in case further consultation is required. This enables better and more comprehensive care planning.

Better Adherence to Medications

It's important to follow the treatment plan and take medication as directed to see positive results. But sometimes patients forget to do this, which can affect their health in the long run. Telemedicine applications and reminders on their phone can help remind them to take their medication on time and give them useful information about their treatment. This can make it easier for patients to stick to their treatment plan and get better results.

Conclusion

Telehealth reduces cost, improves overall quality, and makes care available to those who need it most. It is a cost-effective way for providers to organize their workflow better. This is the reason why telehealth and telemedicine platforms are observed across countries for their cost-effectiveness and easy access.

Are you also looking to build custom telehealth software solutions that fit your business needs? The Ditstek Team is here to help you with telehealth app development services. Whether you need to build an EHR, Remote Patient Monitoring software, or you need telehealth consulting, we have got you covered. Just share your vision with us at mailto:info@ditstek.com and one of our experts will get back to you soon.