Empowering Home-Based Healthcare with eConsults

For patients receiving care at home, access to specialty expertise can be a challenge. Many face mobility issues, long wait times, or transportation barriers that make seeing a specialist difficult—if not impossible. Delaying specialty care can lead to worsening conditions, unnecessary hospital visits, and higher healthcare costs.

RubiconMD changes that. With the most extensive specialist network in the U.S. and over 750,000 eConsults completed, RubiconMD connects home-based primary care providers with top specialists in real time—empowering them to make informed decisions, improve outcomes, and enhance the patient experience.

Lowering costs while improving care

Home-based healthcare providers work tirelessly to keep patients out of the hospital and manage complex conditions in the most cost-effective way possible. But when specialty input is needed, the traditional referral process can be slow and expensive.

RubiconMD eConsults help reduce unnecessary referrals, hospital admissions, and emergency room visits—cutting healthcare costs by up to 20%. With direct access to specialists, PCPs can confidently manage more conditions in the home setting, improving care while avoiding costly and disruptive escalations.

• PCPs rate RubiconMD eConsults 4.9/5
• 90% of PCPs report that eConsults improve the care plan

Helping providers feel more confident and supported

Caring for homebound patients often means making critical clinical decisions with limited support. RubiconMD eConsults change that by giving providers immediate access to expertise across 140+ specialties and subspecialties..

Beyond solving immediate patient needs, eConsults serve as an ongoing learning tool for homecare clinicians. With each case, providers gain knowledge, refine decision-making, and can confidently manage complex conditions.

Delivering better outcomes for home- based patients

For patients receiving home-based care, access to timely specialty expertise isn’t just convenient—it’s essential. Research shows that eConsults reduce the need for in-person specialist visits by up to 70%, helping patients get the care they need faster and with fewer disruptions.

Multiple studies have shown that eConsults significantly improve care coordination, especially for elderly and medically complex patients. Whether it’s adjusting a medication regimen, refining a treatment plan, or avoiding unnecessary tests, eConsults help ensure home-based patients receive precise, proactive, and patient-centered care.

Top conditions where eConsults make a difference

Home-based PCPs frequently manage complex, chronic conditions. eConsults are particularly valuable for:

✔ Chronic Wound Care & Pressure Ulcers

Specialists provide guidance on advanced wound care to prevent infections and hospitalizations. 

RubiconMD eConsult | Wound care

✔ Cardiovascular Disease & Hypertension

Cardiologists help fine-tune medications and optimize heart health in a home setting. 

RubiconMD eConsult | CHF, HTN, post-discharge

✔ Neurological Disorders (Dementia, Parkinson’s)

Neurologists offer strategies to manage symptoms and slow disease progression. 

RubiconMD eConsult | Dementia

✔ Diabetes & Endocrine Disorders

Endocrinologists support insulin management and complication prevention. 

RubiconMD eConsult | Uncontrolled diabetes

Bringing Specialty Care Home

Home-based healthcare providers shouldn’t have to manage complex cases alone. RubiconMD eConsults ensure that every provider has a team of specialists behind them, helping them deliver better, more confident care—without added costs or delays.

For organizations committed to improving home-based primary care, integrating eConsults is a game-changer. It’s a simple yet powerful way to enhance care quality, lower costs, and support providers in delivering the best possible outcomes for their patients.

To make the most of eConsults, home-based providers should:

• Integrate eConsults into the EHR for a seamless workflow.
• Establish clear clinical protocols for when to consult specialists.
• Provide training and best practices to help PCPs maximize impact.
• Track performance metrics to measure improvements in care and cost savings

To learn more about virtual specialty care solutions, schedule a demo today.

Sources

1. Impact of primary and specialty care integration via asynchronous communication. Am J Manag Care. 2019;25(6):e174-e180. https://www.ajmc.com/view/impact-of-primary-and-specialty-care-integration-via-asynchronous-communication
2. Telehealth implementation during COVID-19: a rapid review. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(11):e23200. Published 2020 Nov 20. doi:10.2196/23200. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7725593/
3. Liddy C, Drosinis P, Keely E. Impact of asynchronous eConsults on specialist wait times. CMAJ. 2019;191(29):E790-E796. doi:10.1503/cmaj.190018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31287902/
4. Liddy C, Afkarian M, Drosinis P, et al. Primary care physician experience with electronic consultations: a qualitative study. Fam Med. 2019;51(7):576-583. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2019.484597. https://journals.stfm.org/familymedicine/2019/july-august/liddy-2018-0484 
5. Liddy C, Lapointe-Shaw L, Singh M, et al. Impact of asynchronous eConsults on access to specialty care: a systematic review. J Gen Intern Med. 2023;38(3):728-737. doi:10.1007/s11606-022-07894-2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36373892/
6. Liddy C, Afkarian M, Drosinis P, et al. Electronic consultations (eConsults) in primary care: protocol for a mixed methods evaluation. BMC Health Serv Res. 2015;15:197. Published 2015 May 19. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-0865-y. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25957372/
7. Liddy C, Drosinis P, Deri Armstrong C, et al. What are the important elements of asynchronous eConsult services? A scoping review. J Telemed Telecare. 2016;22(7):437-448. doi:10.1177/1357633X15608583. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4561452/
8. RubiconMD internal data