Transitions to Telehealth During COVID-19 Pandemic

Remote healthcare has been around for a while but has become much more common during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine period. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting safety guidelines, health care providers had to quickly transition to telehealth to maintain access to medical services.

Lots of patients are experimenting with receiving their routine and non-urgent healthcare through virtual appointments for the first time. Many providers discouraged or eliminated in-person appointments in favor of online consultations for these types of issues to comply with state and federal business closure measures. This was done to protect their employees and prioritize in-person care and resources for those with serious injury or illness during this time.

With the expanded use of these tools, we need a little more clarity about how these resources are defined and how they work. Telehealth and telemedicine are distinct remote healthcare concepts.

• Telemedicine: Remote clinical services, such as consultations with a doctor, assessment of health conditions, physical therapy or mental health therapy appointments.
• Telehealth: A broader categorization of remote healthcare services, including telemedicine, but also including non-clinical services such as provider training, healthcare administrative meetings, continuing medical education – essentially various components of a well-functioning healthcare ecosystem. Telehealth is defined as “the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration,” by the Health Resources Services Administration.

How Does Telehealth Work?

Telehealth services are administered virtually by a healthcare professional to a patient. This can happen over various webcam interfaces such as Doxy.me, Teladoc, athenaOne, and MD Live, usually through provider-specific portals designed to have increased privacy and security protections.

Some of these platforms are web browser based while others are custom applications. The patient and the provider log in for a video call where they can hear each other over their device microphones and see each other through device webcams. Sometimes telehealth is also referring to other virtual platforms for doctor/patient communication – like a portal with a designated messaging system or other check-in features.

These virtual functionalities are extremely convenient, allowing the patient to meet with their provider from the comfort of their own home, and the provider to meet from a safer office or home setting as well. In addition, during the current crisis, telemedicine access has been expanded so providers can see patients not only from their local practice area, but also from farther away, even in other states.

Thompson Law works with many practitioner partners who currently offer either in-person visits, telehealth functionality, or both. If you have a need for medical consultation, follow up, or treatment after an accident, reach out anytime to learn more about your options to receive the medical help you need, all while staying safe.

Benefits of Telehealth Services

It’s difficult to find criticism of telehealth options at this time. The vast majority of conversation around these products and services is that they help serve a need for routine and non-urgent care during this complicated period. Some patients and providers have expressed limited frustrations about the platforms used for virtual calling or work-from-home technology, such as when the tech fails or call resolution or sound quality is low. Generally, these issues are episodic and easily avoidable or correctable through a simple restart or reschedule.

Safety

• Stay in the comfort and safety of your own home for a consultation.
• Avoid risk of being exposed to illness while visiting a doctor’s office.
• Avoid risk of spreading your illness to others during and in-person visit.
• Avoid adding to the exposure our front line and medical workers.

Efficiency

• Skip the drive too and from the doctor’s office, especially while you are feeling bad.
• Overwhelmed doctors’ offices can see patients more quickly virtually than in person.
• Less cleaning is required for doctors’ offices than when patients are visiting in-person.
• Minor issues like follow-ups or prescription refills can be handled more quickly and easily.

Cost

• Some health insurance charge patients a lower rate for telemedicine appointments.
• Some providers charge insurance companies a lower rate for these appointments, especially if the appointment duration can be shorter.

Who Benefits from Telemedicine?

Telemedicine has revolutionized the way healthcare is delivered, making it accessible to diverse groups of individuals. Here are some key categories of people who benefit from telemedicine:

• Patients in Rural Areas: Individuals living in remote locations often face challenges accessing healthcare facilities. Telemedicine offers them a way to consult with healthcare providers without the need for long travel, ensuring timely care for chronic conditions or urgent health issues. The US News & World Report states, “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees health coverage for more than 37 million Americans with Medicare, expanded the type of telehealth visits it would pay for, and last week the federal agency said it would pay providers the same rates for phone calls as it would for video visits.”
• Busy Professionals: For those with demanding jobs and tight schedules, telemedicine provides the flexibility to attend appointments without disrupting their work. Virtual visits can be scheduled during breaks or outside of traditional office hours, facilitating easier management of health. Research as early as 2016 found that millennials were extremely disheartened about the state of healthcare and had strong interest in expanded services for medical care, including measures like telemedicine apps and other digital consultation resources.
• Elderly Individuals: Older adults may encounter mobility issues or health concerns that make visiting a clinic challenging. Telemedicine allows these patients to receive regular check-ups and consultation from the comfort of their homes, ensuring continuity of care while minimizing risks associated with travel.
• Individuals with Mental Health Needs: Teletherapy and online psychiatric consultations have become a viable option for many seeking mental health support. Virtual sessions can help reduce the stigma and barriers associated with in-person therapy, providing easier access to services for those in need.
• Parents of Young Children: Managing health concerns for children can be time-consuming, especially for working parents. Telemedicine allows parents to quickly consult pediatricians for non-emergency issues, prescriptions, or advice, making healthcare more convenient when life gets hectic. Another finding from the US News & World Report study was that individuals with children in the house, parents and caretakers, were also much more likely to desire a virtual option for medical support. Specifically, when asked about situations where care was needed in the middle of the night, respondents with children were 67% more likely to be in favor of telemedicine availability.
• Patients with Chronic Conditions: Individuals with chronic illnesses often need frequent consultations and monitoring to maintain their health. Telemedicine enables regular check-ins with healthcare providers, allowing timely treatment adjustments without multiple in-person visits. This approach improves patient adherence and strengthens the provider-patient relationship, essential for managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.
• Personal Injury Victims: Auto accidents can cause severe injuries requiring immediate and ongoing medical care. Telemedicine is a valuable resource for personal injury victims who struggle with transportation or pain when visiting healthcare facilities. By enabling virtual consultations, telemedicine ensures timely assessments, follow-up care, and rehabilitation plans, reducing the physical strain of traveling. This accessibility aids recovery and facilitates communication with legal representatives about injuries and treatment plans.

If you’ve been injured in an accident and need an attorney to assist with obtaining medical treatment, Thompson Law offers a dedicated and compassionate resource just a phone call away.

What’s the Prognosis for Telehealth?

The future of telehealth appears promising, with advancements in technology and an increasing acceptance of virtual care reshaping the healthcare landscape. As patients and providers become more familiar with telemedicine platforms, it is likely that the number of virtual visits will continue to rise. This shift not only addresses accessibility issues but also promotes efficiency, allowing healthcare professionals to manage larger patient volumes with greater flexibility.

Furthermore, policymakers and insurance companies are beginning to recognize the importance of telehealth, leading to expanded coverage options and reimbursement models that support its integration into standard care practices. As we move forward, the ongoing development of secure telehealth technologies and improved training for healthcare providers will be essential to maximize the potential of this innovative approach to care, establishing telehealth as a vital component of healthcare delivery for the years to come.

The Future of Telehealth for You

If telemedicine is a service that would benefit your healthcare regimen, check with your insurance provider and healthcare providers about the options available to you. To help you research your options, here are a few additional resources on telemedicine:

• Medicaid
• Medicare
• BlueCross BlueShield
• Aetna
• Cigna
• United Healthcare
• Kaiser Foundation
• Humana
• HCSC
• Centene
• Molina

Contact Thompson Law for telemedicine questions related to your personal injury case by emailing or calling anytime.

Does Telehealth Have a Negative Impact on Personal Injury Settlements?

Telehealth can influence personal injury settlements in several ways, both positively and negatively.

Benefits of Telehealth in Personal Injury Cases

On the positive side, telemedicine offers timely access to medical evaluations and treatment plans, which can help in establishing a clear connection between the injuries sustained and the necessary medical care. This prompt documentation of injuries can aid in accurately assessing damages and supporting claims. Additionally, the ability to obtain ongoing treatment and follow-up consultations through telehealth can demonstrate a plaintiff’s commitment to their recovery, strengthening their case during negotiations.

Risks of Telehealth in Personal Injury Cases

Conversely, there may be concerns about the adequacy of assessments conducted via telehealth, particularly in cases requiring thorough physical examinations. Insurance adjusters may question the validity of virtual consultations, potentially arguing that they do not provide the same level of insight as in-person evaluations.

Furthermore, any gaps in documented treatment or lapses in communication can be leveraged by insurance companies to undermine claims. As such, while telehealth presents opportunities for streamlined care and documentation, personal injury victims must ensure that they receive comprehensive evaluations and follow-ups to avoid potential pitfalls that could negatively impact their settlements.

Telehealth in Your Personal Injury Case

It’s true that the personal injury experts at Thompson Law may be well known for incredible case results, strong representation of clients hurt in car accidents, 18-wheeler wrecks and other devastating accidents. Bu, we also care deeply about the health and well-being of the clients we serve. An important part of considering a case outcome successful for us is seeing our clients make the absolute best recovery possible. For this reason, telehealth resources that help make that recovery happen are extremely valuable to us.

If you have any questions about your ongoing personal injury case and your how telehealth treatment may be impacting it, reach out to Thompson Law. If you’ve been hurt in an accident and haven’t reached out to us yet – please do so now! The sooner you speak to us in a free, no-risk consultation, the sooner we can show you the resources you have to get on the road to physical recovery and financial relief.

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