The Advantages of Telehealth for Urgent Care and Routine Primary Care

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven healthcare into the virtual world . Though telemedicine has existed for years, it has recently become more popular. Through telehealth, you can consult with a healthcare provider in the comfort of your own home and receive treatment and consultation. There are many advantages of virtual visits, including convenience and safety, and they also can decrease wait times. These advantages make telehealth a great choice for urgent care and routine primary care. 

Cost-effectiveness

A recent study looked at the cost-effectiveness of virtual urgent care versus in-person visits to urgent care facilities. While the cost of virtual visits was significantly lower than that of an in-person visit, there is a potential opportunity cost for patients who chose in-person care. Virtual visits also have less time and expense than in-person visits. This may be one reason why the cost of virtual care is less expensive than that of in-person care.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has included reimbursable CPT codes for virtual visits in the 2021 physician fee schedule. These codes make it easier for providers to track the cost of medical services. In addition, amendments to various PFS statutes will allow virtual care providers to provide care from their homes. With these developments, the cost-effectiveness of virtual care will only continue to increase as more patients turn to virtual care.

Convenience

In New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, consumers can now receive on-demand consultations with medical professionals. This new service mimics an urgent care visit, allowing consumers to consult with medical professionals on the spur of the moment. Virtual urgent care allows consumers to consult with a provider they don't know, for conditions ranging from acute sinusitis to low-acuity ED visits. However, before consumers can take advantage of the service, they need to meet certain requirements.

Typically, a virtual urgent care provider will use video chat or voice and text messaging to exchange medical information securely. The physician can also take relevant photos during the video chat. Unlike in-person visits, the patient can also enter their health information directly on an online portal. This makes it easier for the doctor to review information and diagnose patients. Another benefit of virtual urgent care is that patients can avoid the costs associated with the ER visit.

Accessibility

The rise of virtual urgent care services is bringing the convenience of a doctor's visit to anyone, anywhere, anytime. With a video link to the doctor, patients can receive high-quality care at a fraction of the cost. In some cases, patients can even get follow-up appointments and referrals from a virtual doctor. The cost of virtual urgent care is significantly less than that of the ER, urgent care centers, and many primary care providers.

Telehealth services have gained popularity in recent years as a convenient way to treat minor medical emergencies. Many people turn to video chats with physicians for advice on minor health problems. Some insurers and employers have purchased virtual health services to cut down on in-person care. While telehealth services may cut down on emergency department visits, a recent study by the University of Michigan casts doubt on their benefits. Here are three reasons why virtual care services are an attractive option for many people.

Duplication of care

When compared to in-person urgent care, virtual urgent healthcare has many benefits. Patients don't have to wait in a long line for a doctor's appointment. They don't have to worry about missing a work day due to illness. And they don't have to worry about the cost of an ER visit. Virtual providers can write prescriptions and recommend follow-up appointments, all without the patient having to leave the house. Another benefit is that virtual care is much less expensive than many primary care providers or ERs.

While the benefits of virtual care may be hard to measure, their effectiveness is already clear. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have included virtual care visits as reimbursable CPT codes, making it easier for patients and plans to track medical services. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have made amendments to various statutes in the PFS that remove geographic restrictions. Virtual urgent care is now eligible to receive Medicare reimbursements for care delivered remotely .