If you weren’t aware of telehealth before the Covid-19 pandemic, you are certainly aware of it now. While telehealth always seemed like it was on the fringe of mainstream healthcare, it is now one of the most popular ways that patients communicate with their doctors.
Coming into 2021, people are still big fans of the telehealth industry and that trend isn’t expected to change anytime soon. New analysis shows that telehealth has increased significantly in use since before the coronavirus pandemic.
By knowing about the latest telehealth industry statistics and facts, you can stay up to date on this booming industry and use the information to benefit your business.
Would you like to learn more? If you would, then make sure to keep on reading and we will take you through everything that you will want to know.
Telehealth Boomed in 2020
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, telehealth usage boomed as patients and doctors were looking for effective and safe ways to access and provide healthcare. From February 2020 to April 2020, outpatient care and office visits using telehealth grew by nearly eighty percent.
This unprecedented increase was created by a number of factors. First, patients were more willing to utilize telehealth. Second, more doctors were willing to provide telehealth to their patients.
And thirdly, there were many regulatory changes that allowed for more reimbursement and access.
Telehealth, during the Covid-19 pandemic, provided a bridge to healthcare. It now provides the opportunity to change hybrid and virtual care models while improving healthcare affordability, outcomes, and access.
Telehealth Has Stabilized in 2021
Telehealth usage has essentially plateaued. It is being used significantly more than before the coronavirus pandemic but doesn’t seem to be growing or shrinking at the moment.
By April 2020, there was a major spike in telehealth usage. Those levels have since stabilized.
Attitudes Toward Telehealth Has Improved
Doctor and patient attitudes have improved around telehealth since before the Covid-19 pandemic. Usage and perceptions have dropped slightly since the Covid peak in 2020, however.
Some barriers still need to be addressed in order to sustain doctor and patient virtual health adoptions. For example, some people are still worried about how secure the telehealth technology is.
Also, models will likely change to optimize hybrid care delivery.
Some Regulatory Changes Are Now Permanent
One of the biggest contributors to telehealth’s rise in use is the regulatory changes. For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expanded their reimbursements for telehealth codes for the 2021 physician fee schedule.
However, there is still some uncertainty about other services that might lose their waiver status after the pandemic officially ends.
There Is a Lot More Investment in Digital Health and Virtual Care
It is clear to investors now that telehealth is a profitable and expanding industry. There are now a lot more investors and they are fueling further innovation. This is especially true about telecardiology.
People who are interested in investing in telehealth should read about telecardiology to learn more.
Virtual Business Models and Healthcare Models Are Changing and Growing
The telehealth industry is no longer just about “virtual urgent care.” The industry now offers a variety of services that enable all kinds of virtual care. There is also the integration of telehealth with other forms of virtual healthcare solutions.
Plus, there is a growing hybrid model.
The Next Chapter of Telehealth
It is clear that telehealth isn’t going anyway. On the contrary, we can expect telehealth to become a permanent fixture of the healthcare industry.
There is a strong and persistent uptake of telehealth. Plus, there is a favorable regulatory environment and positive consumer perceptions. Not to mention that there is a lot of investment in the space that many people are excited about.
We are seeing a fast evolution in the telehealth industry. There is now a lot more remote patient monitoring and it is easier than ever for people to diagnose their own ailments.
In order to realize the full potential of telehealth models, both patients and doctors should consider the different delivery models that are available to them.
Increasing Convenience to Receive Routine Care
Telehealth systems will allow for the integration of e-triage solutions with digital visits to form a broader “virtual front door.” This will allow patients to get the care they need more easily and through more convenient methods. It’s also going to lower the cost of care because people won’t need to go through unnecessary emergency visits.
Improving Access, Especially for Specialty Care and Behavioral Health
The range of behavioral health offerings will continue to expand. This expansion will also help to address doctor shortages that plague many parts of the United States.
Access to specialty care will be greatly expanded. This is especially true in rural areas where specialty care is often in short supply.
Improving Care Models and Health Outcomes
Digital therapeutics and remote monitoring will be integrated with virtual visits. This is especially true in value-based doctor arrangements where patient outcomes could be greatly improved.
The Importance of Knowing About the Latest Telehealth Industry Facts and Statistics for 2021
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now understand the latest telehealth industry facts and statistics for 2021. As we can see, telehealth is a booming and important industry in today’s health-conscious world.
If you are looking for other helpful and interesting articles like this one then you should make sure to check out the rest of our blog today for even more!
