The use of telehealth among providers has grown significantly since the COVID-19 global pandemic began forcing millions of people to remain in their homes for extended periods. Faced with a choice of using telehealth or foregoing care for their patients altogether, many providers scrambled to implement telehealth in some form to continue delivering care while minimizing the risk of spreading the contagion. This effort was aided by a loosening of regulations and restrictions around telehealth, as well as the expansion of reimbursement, led by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
While it is doubtful anyone would say we are near the end of the pandemic at this point, a combination of the efforts to contain the spread and our increased knowledge of how to manage COVID-19 has created some breathing room for healthcare executives to consider telehealth’s future once the pandemic is behind us.
Since the effectiveness and value of telehealth has been demonstrated in one of the toughest crucibles imaginable, it is likely that payers, providers and patients will want to see it continue to move forward. They will want it available not just for “special” situations but as a routine option for care. The big question now, however, is how to get there.
Advanced analytics can be extremely valuable in determining what worked – and what didn’t – to help healthcare organizations make their post-pandemic plans. Here are eight ways analytics can contribute now and in the future:
1. Identify the patients who can benefit most from telehealth visits. These are usually patients whose conditions can be accurately assessed without a face-to-face, hands-on visit. For example, many biometric readings can be taken with consumer-grade devices, then uploaded either via a Bluetooth™ connection or manually. Advanced analytics can assist with this initial identification process to help close care gaps while improving HEDIS scores and Star ratings.
2. Stratify patients to determine those with the most urgent need. These may be patients who are particularly vulnerable and at risk of deterioration if they are not closely monitored or require follow-up on preventive or elective procedures. The right analytics can not only assist with the stratifying patients initially but also enable adjustments as things change and the current situation normalizes.
3. Prepare for additional outbreak “waves.” It is unlikely that our return to “normal” will follow a straight line. There are likely to be additional surges before the pandemic is fully behind us, and offices and facilities need to be prepared to manage them to avoid the risk of additional shutdowns or changes that will disrupt current procedures. Analytics can be helpful in identifying emerging warning signs so providers can prepare and adjust appropriately.
