What are the benefits of telemedicine?

Telemedicine, also known as telehealth, allows you to access healthcare services remotely from the comfort of your own home.

Instead of meeting a healthcare professional in person, telehealth involves virtual conferencing via phone, video, or messaging.

Telehealth makes it easier for underserved communities, including people living in rural areas, to access healthcare services and speak with specialists who may not be available locally.

Many other benefits to telemedicine include:

1. Better medication adherence

Regular telehealth appointments make it easier for your healthcare team to monitor your condition and ensure your prescription medication is working for you and not causing any unpleasant side effects.

A 2024 review of studies in people with type 2 diabetes suggests that attending regular virtual appointments made it more likely for people to take their medication as prescribed.

In people with serious mental health conditions, telemedicine can help breach gaps in care and improve medication adherence, according to a 2022 review.

Keep in mind that telehealth appointments can’t completely replace in-person care. It’s a good idea to meet a healthcare professional in person at least once a year for a regular checkup.

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.

2. Easy access to specialists

Telehealth makes it easy to access specialists regardless of where you live.

Telemedicine can connect you to healthcare professionals outside your area, allowing you to access medical care that might otherwise be inaccessible.

Telemedicine significantly improves medical care access if you live in rural areas or underserved regions and would otherwise need to spend money to travel long distances to visit a specialist.

3. Time-saving appointments

Virtual appointments can save you time by eliminating the need to commute to a doctor’s office or clinic.

It also gives you the option of speaking with a healthcare professional from a location that’s most convenient to you, like your living room couch or home office.

4. Shorter hospital stays

Telemedicine may also help shorten hospital stays.

Regular virtual appointments can help healthcare teams track your condition while you recover after a hospital stay, allowing you to recover at home and spend less time in a hospital bed.

This is also known as ‘Hospital at Home,’ which relies on a hybrid model of care. This means that those with acute care needs can receive remote and in-person treatment.

5. Cost savings

Telemedicine appointments are often less expensive than in-person visits.

Also, attending appointments from your house or office can help you avoid gas, parking, or public transportation costs. This is especially true if you live in rural areas.

6. Time savings

You may be able to avoid an unnecessary hospital or urgent care visit through a telehealth appointment.

Telemedicine gives you quick access to consultations with healthcare professionals who can answer questions about your health or prescription medications.

It’s also typically faster to get a telehealth appointment than an in-person appointment at a clinic.

While healthcare professionals may not be able to address all concerns virtually, they may be able to point you in the right direction of care.

It’s important to note that telehealth isn’t a replacement for emergency health services. Telehealth medical professionals can’t diagnose or treat urgent health conditions over the phone or via video chat.

What to keep in mind

Telehealth is broadening the way you access medical care, but a few things to keep in mind when considering making your first virtual healthcare appointment include:

• Security and privacy issues: Attending a telemedicine appointment may put you at risk of security and privacy breaches. Most telehealth platforms use verified and encrypted software that helps protect your privacy and reduce the risk of data breaches. Still, breaches can happen. You can protect yourself by using only reputable telehealth platforms and ensuring that the device you use for appointments has up-to-date security software.
• Insurance coverage: Not all insurance providers offer coverage for telehealth services, and even those that do may have coverage restrictions. Consider contacting your insurance provider to determine your coverage before making an appointment.
• Technical difficulties: Technical issues like a slow internet connection can get in the way of a smooth appointment and make it difficult to communicate clearly with a healthcare professional.

Summary

Virtual healthcare platforms can help improve access to healthcare services, saving you time and money by limiting the need to commute or miss work for medical appointments.

Telehealth services aren’t a fit for everyone or every situation, though. You might prefer meeting a healthcare professional face-to-face. It’s also a good idea to get an in-person checkup at least once a year.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.