Telehealth allows patients to become influential consumers—and fight against excess regulation
Telehealth has allowed patients to become more involved in their own care. It has also made them more influential consumers of healthcare. But such disruptions in medicine often face difficult regulatory hurdles.
Citing a study by the Employer Benefits Research Institute, the story claims nearly all large employers (96 percent) plan to offer telemedicine, thanks in part to growing consumer demand. Although regulatory barriers remain, legislation expanding telehealth under Medicare is being proposed to allow patients to use the services.
“It’s a peace of mind issue. We want employees to know that they and their families are going to get access to high quality care regardless of where they live,” said Annette Guarisco Fildes, president and CEO of the ERISA Industry Council, the key advocacy arm for employer benefits policy in Washington, D.C. “Telemedicine is particularly good for identifying health issues earlier and avoiding complications later.”
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Cara joined TriMed Media in 2016 and is currently a Senior Writer for Clinical Innovation & Technology. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, she holds a Bachelors in Health Communications from Grand Valley State University.