People Seem Willing, but Few Taking Part in Telehealth, Poll Finds

A new survey from telehealth provider American Well found few consumers have used telehealth services despite a high number of people willing to do so, reports Healthcare Dive . Millennials are more likely than older Americans to employ virtual healthcare services, with mobile apps being particularly useful in this regard. Adults 65 and older are less likely to change from traditional providers to ones offering telehealth, and they favor trips to the emergency room for urgent care. Still, 25 percent are currently using a mobile health app, and 84 percent said they would have a video visit to renew medication prescriptions. Older adults could be an especially profitable segment for telehealth vendors, with the market expected to total $16.8 billion by next year. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a rule granting privately-run Medicare Advantage plans more flexibility in offering virtual care benefits at less cost, beginning in the 2020 plan year. This has prompted new services, including American Well's partnership with Cisco on in-home telehealth options for seniors, such as transitioning TV sets to care delivery portals.