Tufts Health Expands Telehealth Solution, Boosts Access to Care

Commercial members of Tufts Health Plan can now access US-based, board-certified providers for medical needs and diagnoses through the expansion of its telehealth virtual healthcare solution, according to a recent announcement.

Tufts Health emphasized the expansion of its virtual care solutions globally at no cost to members. Through the Teladoc app, patients will be able to address general medical conditions such as cold and flu symptoms, allergies, sinus infections, and sore throats.

First implemented in 2018, the Tufts telehealth solution was launched for fully insured members to provide an easy and stress free way for patients to receive affordable care at their fingertips. 

“Telehealth is a game-changing technology for our members, proving them access to general medical care from anywhere in the world for a $0 copay,” said Jim Gallagher, vice president of marketing and product strategy for commercial products at Tufts Health Plan.

“For members seeking more convenient and immediate access to medical care, we are removing all of the barriers to assure our members seek and receive care when they need it. This market-leading benefit is part of our overall goal to create a world class experience for our members with innovative digital tools and services.”

Telehealth is able to make appointment scheduling more convenient for patients by avoiding long wait times in an office setting. It also benefits employers, which can save on medical spend and decrease daily disruption in the workplace. 

Although telehealth is convenient and provides flexibility for patients in urban areas, nearly 25 percent of rural Americans continue to struggle with access to care. But experts are continuously pushing for better telehealth coverage to improve rural healthcare, according to a July 2019 report conducted by NPR, Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 

Nineteen percent of respondents reported that they failed to find a provider who would accept their health insurance. And only a quarter have used telehealth for diagnosing treatments through phone, email, messaging, chat, mobile app, live video, and more. 

About four in ten patients who used video, email, text, or app telehealth were charged for their activity. Twenty two percent of these individuals voiced that their health insurance covered no portion of the bill,while for 61 percent, insurance covered only covered part of the cost. Only 14 percent of all users received full insurance coverage. 

But rural patients are becoming increasingly interested in telehealth for solutions due to the convenience of the platform. Sixty nine percent of rural patients turned to telehealth because it was “the most convenient way to receive a diagnosis and treatment,” while others looked to the platform when they couldn’t find an in-person provider or it was too difficult to travel to a provider or hospital. 

Experts are turning to payers to enhance telehealth coverage for those individuals struggling in rural areas. Last April, CMS took the step and finalized a policy to expand telehealth benefits to Medicare Advantage members. 

“With these new telehealth benefits, Medicare Advantage enrollees will be able to access the latest technology and have greater access to telehealth. By providing greater flexibility to Medicare Advantage plans, beneficiaries can receive more benefits, at lower costs and better quality,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma.

The policy continued CMS’ efforts to modernize their programs and provide Medicare Advantage enrollees access to telehealth benefits. Beneficiaries would receive more benefits at more affordable costs and higher quality. 

As telehealth grows in the healthcare industry, more payers must step forward and continue to improve telehealth for rural American patients.