Recent years have seen significant growth in the use of telehealth, to the point where more than half of U.S. hospitals connect with patients and consulting practitioners through the use of video and other technology.
However, coverage, payment and other policy issues prevent full use of telehealth, remote patient monitoring and similar technologies. Medicare policy is particularly challenging, as it limits the geographic and practice settings where beneficiaries may receive services, as well as the types of services that may be provided via telehealth and the types of technology that may be used. Access to broadband services and state-level policy issues, such as licensure, also limit the ability to use telehealth.
The AHA supports the expansion of patient access created by hospitals’ efforts to deliver high-quality and innovative telehealth services.
For additional market insights on telehealth strategies and technologies, visit the AHA Center for Health Innovation’s Telehealth webpage.