Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Crisis

While COVID-19 continues to impact the course of daily life, people across the globe have had to adapt to a world with social distancing measures. As medical professionals outside of critical care strive to balance treating their patients with protecting themselves and their staff, the demand for telemedicine has increased. To meet demand amid the pandemic, Alex Azar, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced a temporary easing or suspension of various telehealth regulations in mid-March. The changes included licensing reciprocity for providers and more relaxed standards for prescribing controlled substances. Likewise, health care providers across the country have increased the availability of telehealth services as some hospitals face a disproportionate burden of providing care to COVID-19 patients. The use of telemedicine has increased in recent years, especially as internet access has expanded. Telehealth encompasses a wide breadth of services, such as conducting remote clinical health care and performing health administration using “electronic information and telecommunication technologies.” Adoption of telehealth programs, however, has varied across jurisdictions. In January, only 24 percent of health care organizations in the United States had a virtual care system in place. In addition, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, a variety of state and federal regulations on licensure and reimbursement for providers across state lines limited the use of telemedicine. Advocates of telehealth platforms have argued that these rules have hindered virtual care from reaching its full potential. Telemedicine, they have asserted, can help patients overcome factors that lead to health disparities such as transportation, costs, and access to quality care, especially for abortion and mental health care services. Socioeconomically vulnerable populations and those located far from medical facilities are often unable to access follow-up care or emergency treatment. Telemedicine could alleviate some of these barriers. Critics, however, have cited the medical, ethical, and legal disadvantages of widespread adoption of telemedicine, and have raised concerns about internet and technology access in rural areas, confidentiality, and fraud. Critics also have argued that telemedicine could not replace face-to-face visits in many circumstances, and that virtual platforms would not be a practical solution unless the government took further steps to subsidize and increase access to care. Some health professionals have asserted that telehealth’s success would ultimately depend on better tools and communication technology. In light of the coronavirus outbreak, is telemedicine here to stay? Some commentators predict that the COVID-19 pandemic could fundamentally change the way that consumers seek and receive health care since social distancing measures have forced individuals to avoid doctors’ offices, hospitals, and clinics. Others assert that given new realities, providers will need increased funding and regulatory flexibility after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides to ensure the sustainability of quality telehealth care. This week’s Saturday Seminar explores the benefits and drawbacks of telemedicine, including the ways that virtual telehealth platforms have streamlined and addressed cost, accessibility, and quality of care issues impacting the administration of health care