Telemedicine saves average of $100 per visit
The average estimated cost of a telehealth visit saves about $100 compared to the estimated cost for in-person care, according to a study.
Dale H. Yamamoto of Red Quill Consulting conducted the study which found that the average telehealth visit is $40-$50, while in-person care can cost as much as $176.
Sinusitis is the most common illness that patients sought care for through telemedicine followed by cold/flu/pertussis at 20 and 12 percent, respectively. Providers were able to resolve the patient's issue 83 percent of the time with 60 percent of the visits resolved with prescriptions.
Despite these potential cost savings, reimbursement for telehealth remains limited with more than half of U.S. states not allowing for coverage.
Read the study.
Editor
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.