Increased Revenue From Averted Missed Appointments Following Telemedicine Adoption at a Large Federally Qualified Health Center

Journal Article Summary

The article investigates the financial impact of adopting telemedicine at a large Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Texas, particularly focusing on how it reduced missed appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic. This topic is significant because missed appointments can lead to increased healthcare costs and poorer health outcomes for patients. By exploring the relationship between telemedicine and appointment adherence, the study aims to highlight the potential benefits of telehealth in enhancing access to care, especially for underserved populations.

The researchers collected data from the FQHC, which operates 55 clinics across six counties, and categorized patient encounters into three types: in-person visits, telemedicine visits without support, and telemedicine visits with pre-visit support. They found that missed appointment rates were lower for telemedicine visits, with a 21% rate for in-person visits, 19% for telemedicine alone, and 15% for telemedicine with support. The financial analysis revealed that telemedicine alone saved the clinic approximately $16,444 per month, while the addition of a support team saved an extra $29,134, totaling around $45,578 in revenue from averted missed appointments.

Despite these positive findings, the study has limitations, including the lack of adjustments for various patient and clinic characteristics that may influence missed appointments. Additionally, the results are based on descriptive statistics and may not fully capture the broader implications of telemedicine on other services. Patients should discuss their telemedicine options with healthcare professionals, especially considering potential barriers such as technology access and digital literacy, to ensure they can effectively utilize these services for their healthcare needs.

Article Cited

1. Adepoju Omolola E., Angelocci Tracy, Matuk-Villazon Omar. Increased Revenue From Averted Missed Appointments Following Telemedicine Adoption at a Large Federally Qualified Health Center. Health Services Insights 2022. DOI: 10.1177/11786329221125409. PMID: 36186737. PMCID: PMC9520140.

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