When the coronavirus hit, many patients in Pennsylvania—and across the country— received health care over their phones or by using a computer to see their doctors. Turns out telemedicine is not just a safer way to access health care during a public health crisis, but it adds much more to your life and health even as the pandemic eases here.
How does it do that? We’ll share the top 10 ways telemedicine—sometimes called telehealth—makes your life better:
- You don’t have to sit in a waiting room full of sick people to see your doctor.
- No worries about driving or arranging transportation or child/elder care for an appointment.
- You use less of your vacation time on doctor visits because you’ve eliminated travel time and avoided backed-up waiting rooms.
- For behavioral health issues, it’s a relief to get care from the comfort of your own couch.
- If you live far away from big-city specialists, it’s no big deal. Now they’re just an internet connection away, opening easier access for you.
- Waiting months to see a dermatologist can be a thing of the past. Snap a photo of your skin issue, send it to the specialist, and quickly walk away with a diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Patients with chronic conditions who must visit the doctor often can save time and money and enjoy better health with remote monitoring and disease management.
- Telehealth allows more people to be cared for at home so, if you do need a hospital stay or ER visit, there will be space available for you.
- Telemedicine gives you access to health care providers 24/7. No need for a frantic visit to the ER or urgent care; just use your app or patient portal.
- Best of all, telehealth puts you in charge of getting your health care when, where, and how you want it.
Telemedicine has truly been a lifesaver and with its use remaining 38 times higher than before the pandemic¹, it is clear that this vital service should be here to stay. Here is where it gets thorny. Did you know that the state waivers and flexibilities that allowed telehealth to expand in Pennsylvania will expire – without action – on September 30th? We want to make telehealth expansion permanent, so you can get the services you need, when you need them, where you need them.
There is an effort underway, so stay tuned for more information on telehealth in Pennsylvania!
¹Telehealth: A quarter-trillion-dollar post-COVID-19 reality? McKinsey and Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/telehealth-a-quarter-trillion-dollar-post-covid-19-reality. Last accessed: 7.20.21