Thanks to the Pandemic, Telemedicine Is Here to Stay

On Dec 6, 2021

Disclaimer: Sponsored content articles do not reflect the opinions of New Jersey Business magazine or the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.

One of the most significant changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic is the stunning, and lasting rise of telemedicine. “Prior to the pandemic, telemedicine was underutilized, mainly used in highly rural settings. But with the pandemic causing most face-to-face visits with health care providers to be placed on hold, telemedicine became the perfect alternative,” says Evan B. Levine, Director-Product Management for AmeriHealth New Jersey.

Telemedicine usage skyrocketed during the depths of the pandemic and usage remains very high. AmeriHealth New Jersey experienced a 14,391% increase in the number of telemedicine visits from 2019 to 2020. This dramatic increase speaks to how reliant on telemedicine the AmeriHealth New Jersey membership became during a year of closure. “The usage increase also begs the question of how our members would have accessed care safely and conveniently during the pandemic had telemedicine not existed,” Levine adds.

Although not as high as last year, telemedicine usage today remains strong. For AmeriHealth New Jersey for example, the average number of telehealth visits per member was 3.01 visits in 2020, when in person visits were not possible for much of the year. For 2021, the average number of telemedicine visits per member is 3.15, a testament to telehealth’s staying power.

Once on the fringe, telemedicine has become a mainstay, particularly for primary care. “Telemedicine’s expanded use for virtual primary care makes it easier to see providers, which should contribute to better, overall health outcomes,” Levine says. Patients can make appointments online and have prescriptions for lab tests sent to the lab electronically. Then, the patient can see the primary care provider again online to review test results and discuss a path forward. Showing confidence in telemedicine’s future, AmeriHealth New Jersey intends to roll out virtual primary care for its members in April 2022.

Disclaimer: Sponsored content articles do not reflect the opinions of New Jersey Business magazine or the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.

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