Direct-to-consumer telehealth has seen rapid expansion during the past few years, as it offers significant potential savings for the healthcare industry. The industry is also looking to expand its reach into other areas of healthcare, including home care, which could be a boon in terms of lowering costs. Despite the potential benefits, however, the easier availability of access to healthcare may increase overall spending because of the current unmet demand for treatment. Commercial claims data from 300,000 patients between 2011 to 2013 was examined for patterns of use and expenditure for acute respiratory illnesses, and it was found that 12% of direct-to-consumer telehealth sessions replaced health visits, and 88% were new sessions. Spending increased by $45 per user, indicating that as care becomes more convenient, health care spending may rise as patients enter the healthcare system.
Direct-to-consumer telehealth has seen rapid expansion during the past few years, as it offers significant potential savings for the healthcare industry. Providing telephone or videoconference appointments between physicians and patients, telehealth can reduce the need for physical offices and for emergency department visits by offering patients virtual assistance. Despite the potential benefits, however, the easier availability of access to healthcare may increase overall spending because of the current unmet demand for treatment. Commercial claims data from 300,000 patients between 2011 to 2013 was examined for patterns of use and expenditure for acute respiratory illnesses, and it was found that 12% of direct-to-consumer telehealth sessions replaced health visits, and 88% were new sessions. Spending increased by $45 per user, indicating that as care becomes more convenient, health care spending may rise as patients enter the healthcare system.