Your doctor will see you (virtually) now.

Adoption of telehealth took a 35% jump from 2019 to 2020 according to a recent 2020 McKinsey COVID-19 Consumer Survey. This means that nearly half of all consumers in the U.S. participate in some form of telehealth. Telehealth, telemedicine, and mHealth are often used interchangeably but generally speaking, they refer to the use of virtual modalities (telephone, video, mobile applications) to obtain medical care and manage or prevent disease for optimal health and wellness. Up until 2019, virtual visits with doctors were not reimbursed but then a "virtual check-in" code was introduced 1/1/2019 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and defined it as: a “brief communication technology-based service, e.g. virtual check-in, by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional that can report EM (evaluation or management) services.” Before this, brief telephone calls were non-billable. But stakeholders are now recognizing the importance of telemedicine (especially in the face of the ongoing pandemic) and have expanded telemedicine services substantially since then. It will be interesting to see how delivery of health care evolves over the next decade given the changing U.S. demographic (all baby boomers will be 65+ in 2030). Additionally, as the population ages, most will have a basic level of exposure and level of comfortability with tech use. This will lead more companies to enhance telehealth services for simplicity and ease-of-use in order to bring maximum patient/consumer value. I surveyed the student leaders in AccessiHealth about virtual versus in-person visits with their doctor and I was surprised at their response: "What is most important is the relationship and trust I have with my doctor. The long-term relationship is the most meaningful and I don't think there is a substitute for an in-person visit." I was surprised to hear this coming from high school seniors and as a doctor I agree. There will always be a place and need for face-to-face visits with my patients and technology will not ever fully substitute but I do see extreme value in what telemedicine can offer patients and am excited to be a part of the evolution. I will see you (virtually) now, but only if you want and it's safe, otherwise let's meet face-to-face.