The word telehealth has been a hot topic in the news lately. You might have questions about it but you’re unsure who to ask, or maybe you’ve never even heard of it before. This article will tell you all you need to know about telehealth and how it can help you age in place.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth allows you to have virtual doctors’ appointments all from the comfort of your home by using devices such as a phone, tablet or desktop computer to communicate.
In short, telehealth is a method of technology that allows people to gain easier access to health care services. It began about forty years ago when a few hospitals began providing services and conducting appointments via the telephone with patients living in rural, remote areas. In most cases now in the present day, you as the patient can engage in virtual appointments with physicians who hold varying specialties, including primary care, ophthalmology, psychiatric and counseling care and chronic disease management. Some doctors are calling it another tool to keep in your medical toolbox that can enable you to maintain your independence and enjoy aging in place longer.
Is telehealth available to everyone?
While telehealth can be used by anyone, those who are nearing or entering retirement and those with chronic medical conditions may see the most benefits. The types of services offered via telehealth are wide and are known to reduce the amount of money you spend on maintenance care costs for chronic health conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes and cancer.
Am I a good candidate for telehealth?
There are some capabilities that are required for telehealth services. First, make sure you are comfortable using the technology. Decide whether you’ll use a laptop, desktop computer or tablet to communicate with the doctor. To feel more confident using the technology, try doing a dry run before your actual appointment by making sure you know which websites to access and how to manage your webcam or built-in camera. You can even try Skyping a family member first to make sure your voice is heard clearly through your microphone, and to be sure you can hear everything the other person is saying without any troubles.
You may also be a good candidate if you have costly chronic health conditions that require regular maintenance. AARP says that while everyone can utilize such services, there are certain types of people who could benefit most from telehealth services. These include:
- Those who need transitional care for heart failure
- Those who could benefit from at-home palliative care
- Those balancing chronic disease management
- Those needing support for mental and behavioral health
- Those with disabilities
- Those who struggle with mobility
- Those without a vehicle or who may not be able to drive
In addition, if you only have intermittent access to a car or driver, accessing your health care appointments virtually can help you manage and maintain your health more easily.
What are the benefits of using telehealth services?
Using telehealth services can potentially improve your retirement, saving you money and time. It can also potentially improve your experience of care and satisfaction of services, as many have reported they receive more individualized care with telehealth services. In some cases, you can access services remotely from your home or from a nearby, approved medical center, meaning you won’t have to travel far, if at all, to find access to doctors with unique specialties. This can make life easier for people with disabilities or for those who struggle to move or travel without assistance. Reducing your frequency of in-office and hospital visits may also cut down on your exposure to contagious diseases if you have a compromised immune system, as well.
Does my insurance cover telehealth services?
If you live on a fixed income or are skeptical about the prices associated with telehealth services, rest assured that insurance companies do cover some features of telehealth, though as of 2019, full coverage can depend on whether you have certain preexisting conditions or if you already receive home healthcare benefits. About half of the state Medicaid insurance programs cover some sort of telehealth services. However, be sure to check with your specific Medicaid program to determine the extent of your coverage. Some states’ programs only cover telehealth in the case of being diagnosed with serious conditions for people who may be at risk of future serious medical events, such as diabetes, heart failure or stroke.
Medicare on the other hand, which is the insurance program you can enroll in after the age of 65, offers more coverage for telehealth services, with certain contingencies. While Medicare does cover services such as obesity and nutritional counseling, psychotherapy and other mental health services, diabetes management and other long-term chronic care management, you need to fulfill certain requirements such as living in a rural town. Medicare may also only cover certain telehealth services at approved medical facilities. That means you would still need to travel to some sort of nursing facility where a doctor may not be present and speak with a doctor via your telehealth consultation. Then, the nurses present at the facility can administer the doctor’s orders. However, that is just one example, so be sure to check with your specific Medicare plan.
What does the future of telehealth look like?
Because telehealth is still developing as a medical tool for the aging population in the US, you can expect policies to change drastically over the next few years. What is true today in 2019 may not be the same next year or even next month! Currently, there are ongoing trials to determine whether people are benefiting more from telehealth services and if they’re resulting in better health outcomes. That means if doctors can determine that telehealth services are keeping people healthier for longer, then you can expect to see some changes in how much insurance companies cover these services.
Aging in place doesn’t have to be difficult. Resources abound and finding the right connections to help you locate those resources is essential. At Sun Health At Home® a Wellness Coordinator can help you locate the resources you need to age in place wherever you call home. The program allows members to live independently with the assurance of lifetime access to health care in the event their needs ever change. Contact us to learn more about how you can benefit from Sun Health At Home.
