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Telehealth is dominating the health care sector, and it’s expected that usage will continue to rise. Here are five telehealth trends to watch for in 2021.
More than 1 in 5 Americans have a diagnosable mental disorder at some time in their lives but only about half receive professional treatment. It’s partially due to limited specialist availability in a given area. With telehealth, individuals can access mental health resources including professionals no matter where they live. Usage of these types of services are expected to continue to grow in the future.
Telehealth usage skyrocketed during the pandemic, and it has made a huge impact on the health care industry. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, nearly half of all Medicare primary care visits in April 2020 were made using telehealth. And even before the pandemic, year-over-year utilization was up 33% in early 2020. In 2018, the telehealth market was worth around $34 billion, and it’s estimated to exceed $185 billion by 2026, according to Fortune Business Insights.
An attractive feature of telemedicine is the lack of waiting rooms or a commute. For those with chronic conditions who need frequent medical care, telehealth is a convenient way to reduce costs while still accessing quality care. As telehealth technology continues, more chronic care patients will likely take advantage of these services.
As telehealth usage increases, more competitors will enter the market. Vendors will focus on the user experience as a way to differentiate themselves. Comprehensive services may be consolidated into one portal and includes things like video, chatbots, appointment scheduling, text messaging, etc.
Telehealth apps may start to integrate with other apps and share data. For example, a fitness app could integrate with a telehealth app – sharing information like heart rate or daily steps. Information like this paired with electronic health records can provide a clearer picture of a patient’s current health. Data integration will likely increase as technology progresses.
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This blog is intended to be a compilation of information and resources pulled from federal, state, and local agencies. This is not intended to be legal advice. For up to the minute information and guidance on COVID-19, please follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your local health organizations.