Telehealth Services Reduce ER Visits for Individuals with Disabilities
Recent research indicates telehealth services have led to fewer ER visits and lower healthcare costs for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
- A New York-based managed care plan says telehealth services for members with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) have helped lead to fewer emergency room visits and reduced overall costs for care.
Partners Health Plan (PHP), which provides healthcare services to some 1,750 individuals with I/DD in downstate New York, partnered with telehealth company StationMD to offer connected health services to roughly 1,100 members.
In a press release announcing results of the 12-month pilot program, the telehealth service fielded nearly 700 calls from PHP members throughout the year and succeeded in resolving 90 percent of the health inquiries.