The home health services market is dramatically increasing at a very quick pace in the U.S. Not only did the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrate that it is not only beneficial to receive as many services as possible at home for the elderly, but it is also cost efficient and safer. The challenges of materializing all that is possible in at-home services are rapidly being resolved. Luckily, most of the technologies needed to execute these changes are already developed or being developed. A myriad of insurers, patient groups and ACO’s are already adopting these technologies as their patient members demand more of these services. Their leadership teams also realize that home health can improve outcomes and at the same time decrease costs.
A recent analysis by McKinsey & Company points out some staggering facts about how exactly the healthcare home health industry is positioning itself to successfully navigate these incoming changes. At the crux of the matter is the interplay between the healthcare provider and patient at home. So how would telehealth benefit the home health industry?
1 - It connects the patient with their healthcare provider without intermediary.
One of the more powerful promises of telehealth is to connect the provider with the patient directly eliminating or significantly decreasing an intermediary like a home health agency to do the job.
2 - It allows the development of a number of impactful health management programs like Asthma, COPD, Congestive Heart failure and dialysis to be done at home.
Most of these programs have been around for a while in different markets in the US. They have been implemented mostly by using intermediaries like mentioned above, but direct consultation by the sub-specialist was impossible or impractical until now and telehealth with physical examination would be the preferred method.
3 - Primary care at home.
Most of the primary care visits can take place at home by using telehealth with physical examination. Dramatic improvement in ease of access, safety and cost savings are a reality by using telehealth to conduct the majority of these visits.
4 - Conduct specialist consultations at home.
By adding physical examination most specialists would be able to consult their patients at home by using telehealth.
5 - Hospice care.
Most people prefer hospice care to be at home. Whenever possible, telehealth with physical exam is poised to change a significant percentage of hospice care from facility-based to home.
