Background

Telehealth use has been increasing during the last decade. Studies have found that patients have a positive attitude toward incorporating telehealth into their health care. Substantial uncertainty remains regarding reimbursement policies that vary widely between states and by payer.

Objective

To explore the clinical, operational, and financial feasibility of a home telehealth (HTH) program in a pediatric allergy and immunology clinic.

Methods

Allergy and immunology physicians defined use cases they deemed appropriate for HTH appointments. Established patients in the allergy and immunology clinic were approached to complete an attitudes and perception survey. Patients who met the use case definitions were asked to participate in the pilot program. After their HTH appointment took place, they completed a validated satisfaction survey. Our institution’s revenue cycle management team provided reimbursement data.

Results

Patient attitudes toward HTH were generally favorable. A total of 51 HTH appointments were offered, and 46 appointments were made. Notably, 37 appointments were completed successfully among 32 unique patients. Patients were satisfied with the HTH experience. A total of 36 of 37 encounters were reimbursed by 19 different public and private payers. Payers on average reimbursed ±6% of the expected allowable for an equivalent in-person visit.

Conclusion

Patients had reservations about HTH initially but were satisfied with their experience. Private and public payers reimbursed HTH the same as in-person appointments. Here, we report that HTH is well accepted by patients and is financially viable.

中文翻译：

---

儿科过敏家庭远程医疗的报销模式和用户体验。

 背景

在过去十年中，远程医疗的使用一直在增加。研究发现，患者对将远程医疗纳入医疗保健持积极态度。各州和付款人之间差异很大的报销政策仍然存在很大的不确定性。

 客观的

探索儿科过敏和免疫学诊所家庭远程医疗 (HTH) 计划的临床、运营和财务可行性。

 方法

过敏和免疫学医生定义了他们认为适合 HTH 预约的用例。我们与过敏和免疫学诊所的既定患者进行了接触，以完成态度和看法调查。符合用例定义的患者被要求参加试点计划。 HTH 预约完成后，他们完成了一项经过验证的满意度调查。我们机构的收入周期管理团队提供了报销数据。

 结果

患者对 HTH 的态度普遍良好。总共提供了 51 个 HTH 预约，并已完成 46 个预约。值得注意的是，32 名独特患者成功完成了 37 次预约。患者对 HTH 体验感到满意。 37 次遭遇中，共有 36 次由 19 个不同的公共和私人付款人报销。付款人平均报销相当于面对面访问预期允许金额的 ±6%。

 结论

患者最初对 HTH 持保留态度，但对他们的体验感到满意。私人和公共付款人报销 HTH 的方式与亲自预约相同。在这里，我们报告 HTH 受到患者的广泛接受并且在经济上是可行的。