While legislators have extended many COVID-19 telehealth polices through 2024, there are still many questions that should be answered about the long-term future of telemedicine. Throughout the discussions of telehealth usage and its expansion, the concern of a lack of data on telehealth outcomes has been consistently raise. A perspective piece published in The New England Journal of Medicine outlines three research questions that could help inform the adoption of permanent telemedicine policies.
The first question is whether telemedicine increases health care spending. Many factors play a role in determine if telemedicine is cost-effective or costly, such as whether a virtual and an in-person visit have the same cost-sharing requirements; whether telemedicine results in fewer laboratory or imaging orders; how telemedicine may impact care downstream; and how costs may vary between patient populations. All valid questions that should be studied and considered in determining the future of telehealth. The second question is whether telemedicine improves patient outcomes. Trials indicate that telemedicine is a safe clinical option, however, these studies were limited, only having had evaluated a portion of telemedicine’s various applications.
The third question is whether telemedicine advances health equity. Policymakers anticipate that telemedicine may be an effective method to improve access to care and reduce health disparities in underserved communities. However, the digital divide may hinder its ability to advance health equity.
Data collected during telehealth extensions through 2024, can help ensure that permanent policies are informed by the best available evidence. Aimed Alliance supports expanding permanent access to telehealth while also ensuring that in-person care remains available and permits the patient and their provider to determine which type of visit is best. View our policy positions here. The full article from the New England Journal of Medicine is available here.
Last Updated on December 21, 2022 by Aimed Alliance
