According to a recent article, there might be trouble in TeleRiver City There are three scenarios-the good, the bad and the ugly. Whether the expediteded rules changes concerning licensing and reimbursement persist will have a large effect on the continuing dissemination and implementation of telemedicine and to what degree.
So, if you are in private practice deciding how to create a telemedicine strategy moving forward, what should you do?
- Create a telemedicine infrastructure is you have not done so already
- Use data to decide who, what, where,when and how you should use telemedicine for the least cost
- Since fee for service pricing and reimbursement might evaporate, consider using telemedicine as a loss leader.
- Decide how telemedicine fits into the patient journey, particularly those that need surgery and perioperative manag3ment
- Consider an alternative revenue model
- Focus on those patients who are willing and able to pay for “concierge” telemedicine services. like expert opinions and, possibly, follow on medical travel
- Create a whole product solution
- Practice medical practice entrepreneurship
- Integrate telemedicine visits into your workflow
- Migrate fee for service to value based care into your practice
Don’t let the telebubble catch you flat footed. Create the product, price, promotion and distribution channels for the right care for the right patients, the right way at the right price.
Arlen Meyers, MD, MBA is the President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs
