One of the pushbacks for Universal Health care is that it costs too much. That’s actually not true. Let’s look at what’s possible. In Taiwan, they offer Universal Health care and it costs approximately 6.5% of their GDP. In the U.S. we spend approximately 17% of our GDP on healthcare, and we only cover about 92% of the population. If we followed Taiwan’s example and could get our costs down to 10% (still 50% more than Taiwan), we would save 2 trillion dollars annually. This is more than the current salaries of all Federal employees.
How we get there is a complicated process, but for now I’m just going to focus on remote healthcare. It’s only a small piece of the equation, but it is key to a mindset shift that lets some other pieces fall into place. Offering remote medical services—also known as telemedicine or telehealth—reduces the cost of health care and improves patient outcomes in several key ways.
Lower Operational Costs
Medical facilities are not cheap. The average cost to build a hospital is between $439.85 – $454.33 per square foot. Other medical facilities can range from $200-$1000 per square foot for specialty facilities. With a primary focus on remote healthcare, providers can operate with smaller physical facilities or reduce the need for in-person visits, saving money on space, utilities, and staffing.
Telehealth also makes for efficient scheduling. Remote consultations reduce missed appointments and allow providers to see more patients in less time.
Increased Access to Care
People who live in rural and underserved areas are less likely to seek medical care promptly. That often means more expensive care when they finally decide they need medical treatment. Patients in remote or underserved regions can access specialists and primary care providers without the need for travel.
Remote healthcare is the next evolution in Triage. In some cases it can affect treatment, in others it can assess the need for further services. It’s a timely intervention that can make a huge difference in outcomes. Patients can get medical advice quickly, which can prevent conditions from worsening and reduce the need for emergency care or hospitalization. Many people waiting in emergency rooms don’t need to be there other than the fact that they don’t have access to other options. If triage can be done before going to the emergency room, it would speed up care for those who need it.
Reduced Hospital Readmissions and ER Visits
A good internet connection can often save trips to the doctor. Many chronic disease patients (e.g., diabetes, heart disease) need regular monitoring. Today there are a variety of wearable and easy-to-use devices that can do that from anywhere. Patients can be monitored remotely with wearable devices and apps, helping to detect complications early.
It is also great for follow-up care. Unless you are having a cast taken off or stitches taken out, many follow-up visits are purely observational. Post-surgery or treatment follow-ups via telehealth help ensure recovery is on track and reduce the chances of complications.
Enhanced Preventive Care
Chronic conditions account for $1.5 trillion in healthcare costs annually. Focusing on preventive care could save as much as $45 billion annually. Easier access encourages patients to seek care more often, supporting preventive measures and early diagnosis.
It’s not always access to a health provider, it’s access to health education. Telehealth platforms often provide educational resources that help patients manage their own health better. WIC programs regularly provide access to online nutrition education to help participants make better choices. This has been proven to show better outcomes in pregnancy and early childhood development.
Cost Savings for Patients
Remote healthcare doesn’t just reduce the cost of providing healthcare, it also reduces travel and time off from work. Patients save on transportation, child care, and lost wages. Depending on insurance, telehealth consultation fees are often lower than other in-person options. They simply cost less for everyone. Virtual visits typically save between $93-141 compared to in-person visits.
Improved Patient Engagement and Satisfaction
While the days of house calls are mostly behind us, remote healthcare is the next best thing for convenience. Patients appreciate the flexibility of accessing care from home. There are also many different ways to access telehealth. Tools like messaging apps, video calls, and remote monitoring create a continuous connection between patients and providers.
Next Steps
Remote medical services streamline healthcare delivery by reducing unnecessary costs, improving access and continuity of care, and promoting better health management. All of which contribute to improved health outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
