The Future of Telehealth

How often have your trips to the doctor’s office consisted of spending more time in the waiting room than the actual appointment? How much easier would it be if you could call your doctor, explain your symptoms, and be treated right then and there? Over 70% of medical issues can now be taken care of over the phone, thanks to telehealth technology.

Telehealth gives patients more responsibility over their health and leads to the achievement of better and faster health outcomes, such as a more thorough understanding of medication and the technology monitoring their health. By managing conditions at home, patients reduce the need for primary care and hospital visits. Some healthcare providers even use text message to remind patients about the appointments they do need to come into the hospital for. Technology makes health care services more accessible, convenient, and efficient.

Telehealth allows the care to be uniquely focused on the patient because the physician conducting the virtual appointment must exercise keen listening skills. Careful communication is amplified, and listening is critical. Words are not lost in the hustle and bustle of a doctor’s many visits between patients. Additionally, with the Telehealth services provided as a component of the freshbenies program, all physicians are based in the United States. The ability to call 24 hours per day, seven days per week provides convenient treatment and saves money by avoiding expensive urgent care visits outside of the clinic’s operating hours. Doctors can even provide a prescription by phone. The flexibility of telehealth allows for treatment at any time of day, without missing a beat. While telehealth does not completely replace the care of a physician, it provides fast care for non-emergency issues such as cold and flu, bronchitis, pink eye, pediatric health, and sinus infections, just to name a few.

The convenience of telehealth technology makes it a viable option for anyone. In fact, the telehealth industry is experiencing explosive growth. In 2012, Frost and Sullivan reported that “Over the next five years, telehealth markets will transition from the best kept secret in healthcare, to being consistently demanded by professionals and patients alike.”

How can telehealth technology work for you? Visit http://bit.ly/12MzAkG to learn about the Freshbenies Program offered by Insight Insurance. With the ability to call the doctor for minor medical issues, the days of waiting for the doctor and reading old magazines in the waiting room are over!



Disclosures
This plan is NOT insurance.
This plan provides discounts at certain healthcare providers for medical services.
This plan does not make payments directly to the providers of medical services. Pharmacy discounts range from 10% to 85% on most medications. The plan member is obligated to pay for all healthcare services but will receive a discount from those healthcare providers who have contracted with the discount plan organization. The plan is not insurance coverage and does not meet the minimum creditable coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act or Massachusetts M.G.L. c. 111M and 956 CMR 5.00. This discount card program contains a 30 day cancellation period. The range of discounts for medical or ancillary services provided under the plan will vary depending on the type of provider and medical or ancillary service received. The discount medical card program makes available, before purchase and upon request, a list of program providers, including the name, city, state, and specialty of each program provider located in the cardholder’s service area. Member shall receive a full refund of membership fees, excluding registration fee, if membership is cancelled within the first 30 days after the effective date. AR and TN residents: A refund of all fees will be issued if membership is cancelled within the first 30 days. MD Residents: The membership fee and one-time registration fee (minus $5.00) will be refunded if cancelled within the first 30 days and upon return of the discount card. Discount Medical Plan Organization: New Benefits, Ltd., Attn: Compliance Department, PO Box 671309 Dallas, TX 75367-1309, 800-800-7616. Website to obtain participating providers: www.mymemberportal.com.