The lack of standardized payment methods.
Understandably, physicians want to be paid for their services.
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Telehealth is medical care that allows for two-way interactive remote communication between the patient and physician. Many physicians think that telehealth could be a large benefit to the healthcare industry and is the way the industry is heading.
Studies have shown that 9 out of 10 doctors would use telehealth if guaranteed reimbursement.
Some potential benefits of telehealth include reduced lengths of stay and improved responses after discharge.
Many physicians are excited about the potential of telehealth, despite maintaining that in-office visits are still the ideal.
The largest problem with telehealth is that there is a lack of billing services to adequately address reimbursement and other administrative issues.
Some large private carriers have reinforced the telehealth movement by planning to reimburse doctors in 2016, if not before.
There are still many obstacles for telehealth, even once reimbursement issues are fixed. Other problems include:
- Patient and staff education,
- Credential and license barriers,
- A lack of guidelines,
- The need for technological advances, and
- Updated support and support tools.
While there is still a long way to go, telehealth has been gaining momentum. This is especially true in rural areas and certain states, such as Alaska, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Maine.
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