By the end of April, 32% of practices still open had moved to care exclusively through telemedicine, while 17% only offered in-office care, and 51% offered both options. These numbers imply 100% growth in telemedicine utilization in just the month of April and more than 300% growth since the pandemic began. Fully 48% of respondents reported deploying telemedicine for the first time – joining the 25% of practices already leveraging virtual care. Just over 70% of those now using telemedicine expect to continue to use telemedicine after the pandemic ends – implying that telemedicine usage will roughly double as both practices and patients become comfortable with non-face-to-face care, and compliance and reimbursement rules move in favor of telemedicine.

"It's sobering to consider that 20% of the foundation of the U.S. healthcare system, the independent medical practice, have been taken offline by the pandemic," said Dan Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Kareo. "But on a positive note, some healthcare professionals are starting to see the 'light at the end of the tunnel' while also deploying new technologies, like telemedicine, to ensure care access during this time. Some of the changes made will benefit patients and practices long after this crisis ends."


The easing of regulatory requirements related to telemedicine security and functionality allowed medical practices to access a broader set of possible telemedicine solutions, ranging from medically specific options like Kareo Telemedicine that are HIPAA-compliant and fully integrated with the broader patient engagement, electronic health record, and billing technology platform, all the way to general video call technology such as Zoom or Facebook. Fully 33% of the medical practices surveyed using telemedicine reported using non-medical solutions – highlighting the future need for these practices to move to more secure and HIPAA-compliant options.


About Kareo
Kareo is the only cloud-based and complete medical technology platform purpose-built to meet the unique needs of independent practices in more than 45 specialties. Today Kareo helps over 50,000 providers in all 50 states run more efficient and profitable practices, while delivering outstanding patient care. The Kareo technology platform is the first to help independent practices find more patients, manage their care with a fully certified and easy-to-use EHR, and get paid quickly, all in one complete and integrated package. Kareo has received extensive industry recognition, including the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, Inc. 5000, and Black Book's #1 Integrated EHR, Practice Management and Medical Billing vendor, as well as ranking at the top of the Leader Quadrant in the FrontRunners Software Analysis of EHR. Kareo's growth further demonstrates the expansion and vitality of the independent practice market in the U.S. With offices across the country, Kareo's mission is to help independent practices succeed in an ever-changing healthcare market.

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