In a m
ove that signifies a promising year ahead for telemedicine, insurer Humana has announced that it will be expanding its inclusion of telehealth services in certain Medicare Advantage offerings. Humana is the second insurer to incorporate virtual care into its offerings, following a move by Anthem announced in 2015.
This move heralds sorely needed innovation in handling chronic care management, one of the largest issues facing our healthcare system, and arguably one of the biggest areas of opportunity for telemedicine adoption. The CDC estimates that the treatment of patients with a chronic disease accounts for 86% of US healthcare costs and a fact sheet created by The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease claims that spending on chronic disease accounts for more than 99% of Medicare spending. They further predict that chronic disease will affect an estimated 49% of Americans by 2025.
At this point, incorporating virtual care elements into mainstream insurance plans is not only an intelligent move but likely a necessary one. Broader utilization of telemedicine promises a variety of potential benefits including lowered costs to patients and taxpayers, reduced barriers to receiving appropriate care for patients who are isolated or mobility impaired, and decreased hospital readmissions.
Americans are increasingly requiring more effective healthcare solutions – Humana and Anthem are hopefully only the first of many to address the sentiment.
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