How to Deliver Great Healthcare, Virtually

As technology advances and our world becomes increasingly connected, more and more industries are moving to virtual services. Healthcare is one of the industries making the greatest strides, providing convenient access to behavioral, chronic, and wellness care. Here are some tips for connecting to patients and providing great healthcare virtually. 

Educate Your Patients

Virtual healthcare is a wonderful way to provide continuous care to patients who might not be able to make regular in-person appointments. To make the most of these offerings, however, patients must understand the technical requirements necessary to access these virtual services. If patients require a particular bandwidth, app, or operating system to use your virtual service, be sure that this information is readily available to them. Include a page on your website that explains this information so that your patients know exactly which services they have access to. 

If the cost of internet and internet-capable devices is prohibitive for patients, there are some programs available that offer internet access for telehealth providers designed to break down economic barriers to care. Affordable wireless internet for nonprofits can help practices connect low-income and hard-to-reach communities with access to healthcare from the comfort of home. By providing your patients with the information and resources they need to take advantage of the services your practice provides, you can help them reach their best health outcomes. 

Provide Insurance Guidelines

While virtual care is increasing in popularity, not all virtual visits are covered by insurance, nor will all insurance providers cover virtual care. If your patients would like to take advantage of virtual visits, it’s best practice to make sure they understand their visits might not be covered by their insurance plan. Remind them to check with their insurance provider before finalizing a virtual appointment so that they’re not surprised by their bill after their visit. 

Some insurance plans are moving to virtual-only plans, which is another important thing to consider when discussing care with your patients. Certain prescriptions can only be given following an in-person visit, and some conditions can only be diagnosed with a physical check-up. By ensuring your patients are familiar with the ins and outs of their insurance and what it means for their care options, you can ensure your patients both understand their treatment options and are prepared to take advantage of the services your practice offers. 

Encourage Contact

Meeting with a provider over video is great for regularly scheduled appointments, but minor medical questions and concerns can pop up at any time during the day. By providing patients with a secure messaging platform, physicians can connect with patients to answer questions, provide quick care advice, and help keep in-office call volume low. Connecting virtually through messaging also allows providers to quickly address medical concerns, potentially preventing them from escalating into more serious medical concerns. Some providers may prefer a practice-specific mobile app, while others may prefer to connect with patients over email. Whatever works best for your office, it’s important that your messaging service be HIPAA compliant to protect your patients’ important medical information. A platform that integrates messaging and scheduling can also help keep your practice organized. Should providers want to schedule an in-person appointment after connecting with a patient, patients can quickly access the practice appointment calendar and find an appointment slot that works for them as soon as possible.

Virtual care is a balancing act of technology and knowledgeable medical personnel. By providing the tools and information necessary to provide great virtual care to your patients, you can bring your excellent bedside care to the literal bedside.