The Future of Telemedicine

California AB 32 was signed by Governor Newsom and enacted as law on September 25th, 2022, authorizing health centers to enroll and provide care to patients using audio-only means. This law came on the heels of a COVID-19 pandemic that led to rapid, legislative and regulatory changes made to expand telehealth access.

During the pandemic

In 2020, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had temporarily granted an allowance for telehealth to perform check-ins, enrollment, and patient engagement through digital platforms. AB 32 cements this benefit to patients and providers, opening California to numerous telemedicine-related opportunities. In this article, we explore the value generated by expanded telemedicine access and some considerations to be mindful of as businesses enter the marketplace.

Demonstrating value

Remote access to care has already improved health outcomes for some individuals–most notably where patient willingness increased by seeing a provider through virtual means. Other benefits of telehealth may soon be realized as patients gain much needed provider accessibility:

• A lower frequency of medication misuse

• A reduction in the number of emergency-related events

• Lower patient travel costs and lowering wait times.

As policymakers seek to expand this care to underserved and vulnerable populations, telemedicine may further realize gains by reducing the risk of infections spreading through hospitals and reducing the risks to providers who would otherwise directly interact with high-risk patients. The National Institute of Health previously estimated the incidence and cost of nurse workplace violence perpetrated by hospital patients amounted to $94,156 per workplace per year for only 2.1% of the nurses who reported injuries. Southernmost estimates California hospitals may realize $159M in cost savings per year, leading to lower incident rates and improving provider safety through telemedicine capabilities.

Adopting Innovation with Caution

While AB32 has its merits in expanding medical care, there are a few considerations that must be taken into account by providers:

• Victims of abuse may be pressured into receiving audio-only care, thereby preventing providers from protecting patients from future abuse.

• Quality of care may not initially match that of in-person visits. Risk of misdiagnosis increases due to limitations around assessments and malpractice claims may rise. Specialists are particularly vulnerable and will need to identify approaches that blend patient care pathways with expanded accessibility.

• Academic programs do not currently account for telehealth-related care pathways and will need to be revised accordingly to prepare new providers entering the workforce.

Looking Ahead

Continued research regarding the long-term benefits of telemedicine is necessary and reports on patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and quality of care will greatly enable opportunities for providers to expand telemedicine access. As businesses seek to enter this rapidly expanding marketplace for virtual care, the ability to successfully navigate these challenges may ultimately determine competitive advantage.