Reimbursement patterns and user experiences in pediatric allergy home telehealth

Abstract

Background: Telehealth use has been increasing during the last decade. Studies have found that patients have a positive attitude toward incorporating telehealth into their health care. Substantial uncertainty remains regarding reimbursement policies that vary widely between states and by payer. Objective: To explore the clinical, operational, and financial feasibility of a home telehealth (HTH) program in a pediatric allergy and immunology clinic. Methods: Allergy and immunology physicians defined use cases they deemed appropriate for HTH appointments. Established patients in the allergy and immunology clinic were approached to complete an attitudes and perception survey. Patients who met the use case definitions were asked to participate in the pilot program. After their HTH appointment took place, they completed a validated satisfaction survey. Our institution's revenue cycle management team provided reimbursement data. Results: Patient attitudes toward HTH were generally favorable. A total of 51 HTH appointments were offered, and 46 appointments were made. Notably, 37 appointments were completed successfully among 32 unique patients. Patients were satisfied with the HTH experience. A total of 36 of 37 encounters were reimbursed by 19 different public and private payers. Payers on average reimbursed AE6% of the expected allowable for an equivalent in-person visit. Conclusion:Patients had reservations about HTH initially but were satisfied with their experience. Private and public payers reimbursed HTH the same as in-person appointments. Here, we report that HTH is well accepted by patients and is financially viable.

Age and Social Disparities in the Use of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: Cross-sectional Study

“…Moreover, the frequency of telemedicine was affected by not only patients’ access to telemedicine, but also several other factors including the severity of illness of patients and the physicians’ practice patterns (some physicians may see patients more often than others). A similar approach has been used in prior studies [ 35 , 36 ].…”

Methods of Reimbursement for Telemedicine Services: A Scoping Review

“…In most of these studies, part of the telemedicine services was reimbursed by various insurances. In more than half of the studies, Medicare insurance was used to reimburse telemedicine services (4,16,22,23,25,26,27,29,30,35,36,(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)46). Medicare is funded by the government and regulated at the federal level (47).…”

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Predicting the motivators of telemedicine acceptance in COVID-19 pandemic using multiple regression and ANN approach

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