Telehealth success depends on a solid foundation

There’s no denying the impact that telehealth initiatives have on rural patients and those who are elderly and/or homebound.

“Telehealth … addresses the critical shortage of medical specialists providing care to patients who previously didn’t have access,” says Fred Pennic, founder of HIT Consultant and senior advisor at Aspen Advisors. “With the widespread adoption of EMRs, digital health records provide physicians/clinicians with the remote monitoring capabilities to communicate with their patients.”

However, Pennic says, telehealth projects won’t survive unless a foundation is laid that assures their success. He lists five key components of that foundation:

Establish an incentive-based program. According to Pennic, sustainable funding is vital to the successful, widespread adoption of telehealth. “Creating more incentive-based programs or grants will provide agencies and other organizations with the funding necessary to overcome the start-up costs associated with implementing such initiatives,” he says. Establish an infrastructure. “Having adequate infrastructures (in place) to support these initiatives are imperative,” says Pennic. Infrastructure is the “heart of telehealth,” he says, and includes equipment such as fiber optics, broadband/wireless coverage, video, computer, voice and imaging. Improve telehealth reimbursements. Pennic says there’s no universal reimbursement policy among public and private sectors governing the reimbursement of telehealth services – something he believes is imperative to its widespread adoption and success. “Current payment for telemedicine services, such as offsite reading of medical images, includes Medicaid, Medicare, employers and private insurers,” he says. “However, payment is limited for interactive consultations and chronic-care patients.” He says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the American Medical Association are working together to formalize a payment model for telehealth services, while studies have shown telehealth can not only significantly improve care, but also reduce costs. Foster user acceptance and confidence in telehealth. “Perhaps the greatest challenge in telehealth is increasing the user acceptance of technology, for both clinicians and patients who aren’t tech savvy,” says Pennic. Ideally, he says, successful telehealth programs must be able to easily integrate the telehealth process into healthcare and patient environments seamlessly. Ensure adequate resources and time. In addition to meeting technology requirements, says Pennic, successful telehealth programs must have the proper allocated resources and time necessary to ensure widespread adoption. “People and processes are the key components to effective telehealth utilization,” he says.

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