Examining the Role of Telemedicine in Expanding Access to Healthcare Services and its Impact on Medical Insurance
Keywords:
Telemedicine, healthcare access, medical insuranceAbstract
Telemedicine has emerged as a transformative solution to many challenges in modern healthcare, particularly in improving access to care and redefining medical insurance frameworks. This study explores telemedicine’s pivotal role in expanding healthcare services to underserved populations, including rural communities, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions. It highlights how telemedicine reduces travel-related costs, enhances patient outcomes, and mitigates disparities in healthcare access. Additionally, the study examines the integration of telemedicine into medical insurance systems, including adjustments to premium structures, reimbursement policies, and the adoption of value-based care models. While telemedicine offers substantial benefits, challenges such as regulatory inconsistencies, fraud risks, and the digital divide persist. The discussion provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, insurers, and healthcare providers to standardize regulations, innovate coverage models, and leverage advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to maximize telemedicine’s potential. This study underscores the need for collaborative efforts to ensure telemedicine’s sustainable growth as a cornerstone of equitable and efficient healthcare delivery.
References
Bashshur, R. L., Shannon, G. W., Bashshur, N., & Yellowlees, P. M. (2020). The empirical evidence for telemedicine interventions in mental disorders. Telemedicine and e-Health, 26(5), 591–600. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2019.0097
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (2021). Medicare telemedicine health care provider fact sheet. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom
Dorsey, E. R., & Topol, E. J. (2020). Telemedicine 2020 and the next decade. The Lancet, 395(10227), 859–860. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30424-4
Mehrotra, A., Ray, K., Brockmeyer, D. M., Barnett, M. L., & Bender, J. A. (2022). Rapidly expanding telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: Recommendations for the future. Health Affairs, 39(6), 1109–1115. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00537
National Health Authority. (2023). eSanjeevani: Transforming healthcare delivery in rural India. Retrieved from https://www.nha.gov.in
Smith, A. C., Thomas, E., Snoswell, C. L., Haydon, H., Mehrotra, A., Clemensen, J., & Caffery, L. J. (2021). Telehealth for global emergencies: Implications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 27(3), 160–167. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X20916567
United Nations. (2022). Universal health coverage and telemedicine: Aligning global health priorities. Retrieved from https://www.un.org
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/digital-health