In recent decades, everything seems to be moving online, and healthcare should be no different. The healthcare industry changes all the time to make room for new research findings and integrate new systems. Today’s medical industry has changed in ways like never seen before. With the growth of the internet and the dominance of smart devices, people are gradually warming up to the ides of receiving healthcare online. Welcome to telemedicine.
Although you might have just heard of it, this word is older than you can imagine. It is just that the technology is finally finding a home in this decade. Tech companies may have played a big part in this by easing the transition by training people to take care of several things right from home. You can now get your grocery on Instacart or watch the latest movie on Netflix without moving an inch.
When it comes to health, the same applies. Using virtual medicine companies like OurDoctor, can help you get appointments faster than usual. The idea of many telemedicine companies is to keep as many people at home as possible, and rightly so. For example, a flu-stricken patient may be unable or unwilling to go to see a doctor.
With telemedicine, the patient can receive all the help needed online by scheduling a quick video checkup. Dermatology exams, therapy, or pink eye is treatable at home. Just turn on the camera and have a chat with your doctor. To a degree, this long-distance seems to be working. We have noticed tremendous growth in the use of telemedicine over the years. Teladoc, for example, on its busiest day last year, saw over 10,000 patients use their services in one day.
By keeping patients at home, the Telemedicine companies are helping prevent the spread of germs from ailments such as the flu. Another reason for telemedicine is that it helps treat the small maladies at home, while the doctors on the ground focus on the more critical cases.
So who pays?
For the many citizens using Medicare and Medicaid, your fellow taxpayers typically absorb that cost. For the people with health insurance from their bosses, the workforce might end up clearing your bill.
What we have concluded is that most telemedicine visits are from people who would have otherwise stayed at home. If this trend continues, it could mean saving healthcare some money. However, keep in mind that each time you make a telematics visit, a new bill pops up that someone has to pay.