By Rick Cantville

When most of us think of health care, it is easy to envision having an annual check up or maintaining an ongoing health issue with our family doctor.  Most people are used to the idea that we are physically in the room with our doctor as we are examined and treated. Today, advances in technology and changes in the way we access health care are providing alternatives to the customary office visit and is providing convenience for the consumer.

The following are a few trends that are driving this change.

Many industry professionals have stated that the number of qualified doctors providing care in the U.S. is in decline. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a shortage of family doctors of over 45,000 by the year 2020. It is also estimated that over 50 percent of the nearly 1 million doctors in the U.S are over age 50 and will seek retirement in the next two decades. To replace these physicians, the U.S. will need more doctors and specialists than medical schools are expected to produce.

Other trends that will impact access to care include an aging population and an increased number of insureds accessing health care due to the Affordable Care Act. These factors may decrease doctor availability, shorten visit times, and make it more difficult for consumers to access the care they need. The American Medical Association has recognized that access to quality health care is the leading issue facing the health care industry today.

An emerging trend, telemedicine, provides an alternative to the customary doctor's office visit. Telemedicne allows consumers to have access to qualified physicians 24/7 via phone, email, or online video and is expected to be a two billion dollar industry by 2018. According to the Wellness Council of America, over 70% of doctor visits and 40% of ER visits can be safely handled over the phone or online video. While telemedicine is not a new concept and was started over 40 years ago to assist patients in outlying areas, modern technology and changes in regulatory environments have poised telemedicine for explosive growth.

Consumers now have access to qualified physicians that can diagnose, treat and prescribe medications for many common ailments such by video chat or by phone.  Prescriptions can be sent to your local pharmacy for pick up, and your entire online consultation can be sent to your personal physician for their records. Consumers can now have access to care when it is convenient for them, not when it is convenient for their doctor.  Many programs, such as Healthiest You, tie together 24/7 doctor access with a wellness and coaching program. These programs are designed to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which ultimately will reduce care costs by keeping you out of the doctors office or hospital.

Telemedicine plans are designed to compliment, not replace, the care you receive from your personal physician and it is recommended that consumers maintain a health insurance plan from a responsible provider. While the trend towards longer waiting room times and shorter face time with your doctor may become a reality, many consumers are seeking alternative ways to access care and prefer the convenience and affordability of telemedicine. Having access to care outside of your doctor's office may be a welcome, if not necessary, change for consumers and physicians alike.

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