It is a universal truth that discomfort drives change. Consider a popular pastime these days—sitting on your couch, binging your favorite streaming shows. You could just sit there all day long, mindlessly consuming media and Doritos. But wait— your back is getting sore. Looks like it’s time to get up and move. The same concept applies to more significant changes. It is when we are uncomfortable with our circumstances that we begin to embrace changes we may have previously avoided.
One silver lining of our collective global misfortune during the COVID-19 crisis is that the discomfort of the current situation is driving positive changes. One such example is the adoption of new technology. From the huge surge in online shopping and the major developments in eCommerce to the accelerated adoption of AI to create virtual and augmented realities, the changes brought on by the shutdowns are likely here to stay, just like the virus itself.
For the medical industry, the game is changing rapidly with the stepped-up adoption of telehealth. With the lifting of many restrictions that previously stifled its growth, experts predict that with the right measures in place, $250 billion dollars of the US healthcare spend could be virtualized.
On the consumer end, a recent McKinsey article showed a major shift in attitudes towards the practice of telehealth. In 2019, only 11% of consumers reportedly utilized telehealth options, versus the 46% now using telehealth to replace in-person office visits. The same survey found that 57% of providers view telehealth more favorably, and that 67% are more comfortable using it than ever before. While some may argue that people will simply revert to the traditional office visit once the ominous cloud of the pandemic has passed, it is likely that the changes we are seeing now will stick, especially once people realize that they can receive high-quality medical care from the comfort of their own homes.
At Health iPASS, we are uniquely positioned to assist providers as they move towards a higher adoption of telehealth. Firstly, Health iPASS Express Check-in allows patients to check-in, verify insurance, pay copays, prior, and residual balances, make smart deposits, and even fill out all forms from the patient’s own device. Our Express Check-in is tailormade for telehealth visits because the all of the tasks that are usually completed in the waiting room are reproduced and vastly improved.
Express Check-in also allows patients to store their payment information on file for painless payment of any residual balance after insurance pays the claim. As a patient myself, I love this feature because it makes it easy for me to stay on top of my financial responsibility and pay what I owe without much effort on my part. Getting your practice paid while providing a better patient payment experience is a big part of what we do at Health iPASS.
Right now, many of us are feeling a profound discomfort due to the fear and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. At the same time, it is that discomfort that will drive us to seek a better position, driving much-needed positive change. Visit our website to schedule a demo showing how Health iPASS can assist your practice make the transition to providing more robust telehealth options. We can’t wait to hear your story and see how we can help rewrite your future.
