Earlier in the year, the federal government loosened regulations surrounding the use of telehealth on medical computers due to the ongoing pandemic. Since then, Medicare’s 62.5 million enrollees have had access to their doctors remotely, with at least 10 million making use of telehealth programs since March. Telehealth on medical computers has been reviewed positively, with 91% of feedback being positive. But the widespread use of telehealth has only been possible due to loosening regulations. Will telehealth on medical computers be around next year, and into the future?
What Is Telehealth On Medical Computers?
Simply put, telehealth on medical computers is a way for doctors to visit with their patients virtually. Telehealth has been a part of the medical field for as long as medical computers have been around, in the form of patient-doctor emails and more. With today’s modern medical computer technology, telehealth has taken on a new form.
With medical computers sporting advanced microphones and built-in cameras, doctors are now able to use medical programs to video-call with their patients. While the use of such programs on medical computers has been restricted due to privacy concerns, the pandemic has forced legislators to make exceptions.
With these looser regulations, patients are able to visit with their doctors remotely in a safe and effective manner. High-risk patients, such as those typically enrolled in Medicare, are able to have their medical needs met without putting themselves or others at risk. They also save time and money by not having to organize a trip to the hospital.
Will Telehealth Always Be Available After The Pandemic?
The big question is whether the looser regulations will survive after the pandemic has been quelled. While there are a number of bills on capitol hill currently vying to be the next pandemic response bill, the HEALS act proposed by the Senate offers some clues to how legislators are feeling about telehealth.
The HEALS act would allow for the looser telehealth regulations to stay in place until at least 2021. While congress has gone on recess for the remainder of this month and this bill is unlikely to be passed, it sheds light on how congress sees telehealth: in a positive light.
Telehealth has always been in use in hospitals to some degree, and now that patients are getting more acclimated to it, it is unlikely to go away. If congress passes an extension on the loosened regulations, telehealth may prove to be a pandora’s box that simply cannot be closed. But this would be a win-win for both hospitals and patients. Hospitals can organize more appointments for their doctors in less time, and patients no longer have to carve out as much time in their busy schedules.
How Hospitals Can Prepare For Broad Telehealth Use
When 91% of people like telehealth, it is almost a fact that hospitals that use telehealth will have a leg up on those who are not. The easiest way to upgrade your hospital to be more telehealth accessible is with medical grade computers from Tangent. Medical grade computers from Tangent have built-in microphones and cameras, and are telehealth ready right out of the box.
Bolster Your Telehealth Efforts With Tangent
It’s never too late to get ahead of the curve, especially when it comes to Telehealth. Contact a Tangent sales representative today to learn more about our lineup of medical grade computers.