The Value of Provider-to-Provider Telehealth Technologies examines the value proposition for implementing a subset of telehealth technologies: those in which providers are involved in both the near, or patient side, and the far side of the encounter.

CITL examined the overall value of three telehealth technology systems: store-and-forward, real-time video, and a hybrid model that combining the first two. The analysis looks at the cost-benefit of using telehealth technologies in four healthcare settings including:

• Reducing emergency department transfers
• Reducing transfers from correctional facilities to emergency departments and physician offices
• Reducing transfers from nursing home facilities to emergency departments and physician offices
• Replacing in-person consults with virtual consults
• Reducing redundant and unnecessary laboratory tests

CITL projects the hybrid model to be the most cost-effective system of the three technologies. By reducing face-to-face visits and redundant and unnecessary tests alone, the hybrid system can save $3.61 billion annually. In addition, of the 142 million referral visits in the United States each year, a reduction in patient travel from mileage costs alone could save $912 million. Nationally implemented hybrid systems could save $4.28 billion annually.

In addition, the analysis examines three levels of system costs as well as a summary of other potential value of telehealth in provider-to-provider encounters, including a side analysis on avoiding patient travel.

The report was funded through the generous support of The O’Donnell Foundation, The AT&T Foundation, The Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund, and The AT&T Center for Telehealth Research and Policy at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Download the Telehealth Technologies report.
Order the Telehealth Technologies report.