The use of the web has already transformed many traditional businesses and industries. While medical practices have long been early adopters of many new technologies, they are now benefiting from the Internet in an approach with a traditional twist. The use of telemedicine is not only allowing doctors to again make “home visits,” it is adding a substantial new revenue stream for those practices.
The Affordable Care Act has also added substantial momentum to this market, encouraging doctors to take innovative steps to lower costs and make healthcare more efficient. As a result of both technology and this law, a number of practices now offer patients the ability to access doctors in their offices without leaving home. With many senior now choosing to remain in their residences instead of moving to a nursing home, this capability makes their desire for continued independence even more practical.
Many practices are even adapting their care plans to allow nurses and PAs to conduct wellness checks via online services. Some providers are even adapting televisions via an inexpensive small black box approach to make telemedicine practical for seniors who do not have access to traditional computer-based online services. The simple process of logging on and having a visual confirmation of the patient’s status is a billable event for most insurance plans, and more services are coming online all the time. In fact, there are now units that can be installed in a patient’s home to check basic vital signs. If this concept seems compatible with your medical practice, click here for more information.
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