Enhancing Health Plan Value and Outcomes Through eConsults

In recent years, eConsults have emerged as an impactful tool for health plans to increase value and lower specialty care costs for plan participants. As healthcare becomes increasingly complex, virtual specialty consultations help enhance access, improve member care, and foster provider engagement. eConsults can add significant value to health plans and contribute to better health outcomes for their members in nine key ways:

Expanded Access to Specialists

eConsults break down geographical barriers, providing patients with access to specialists regardless of their location. This is particularly beneficial for individuals living in rural or underserved areas where specialist services may be limited. eConsults facilitate timely insights from board-certified experts, ensuring that patients receive the expert care they need without unnecessary delays.

Timely Interventions

eConsults can deliver a specialist response within hours, versus the average wait time of 25 days for a specialist visit. They enable quicker diagnosis and treatment plans, which are critical for improving health outcomes. When health plans sponsor eConsults, they increase the likelihood of timely intervention, and reduce the risk of complications and hospitalizations. Learn more about how eConsults improve the speed of delivery and overall patient outcomes of value based care.

Preventive Care

Being on the front lines of healthcare, PCPs have a critical role in delivering preventative care, managing chronic conditions, preventing disease progression, and providing timely and appropriate support to patients. eConsults play a crucial role in preventive care by empowering PCPs to initiate screenings, vaccinations, and preventive measures. With eConsult partnership, health plans can promote proactive health management. This not only helps in early detection of potential health issues but also encourages patients to take an active role in their health.

Cost Reductions

One of the most compelling advantages of eConsults is their potential to reduce healthcare costs. Asynchronous communication between specialists and PCPs have been shown to reduce unnecessary services and unnecessary referrals — delivering a 20% reduction in costs related to specialty care. This not only saves money for health plans, but also reduces the financial burden on patients, making healthcare more accessible.

Chronic Disease Management

For patients with chronic conditions, regular monitoring and adjustments to treatment are vital. eConsults provide a platform for ongoing communication between primary care and specialty care teams, allowing for real-time adjustments to treatment plans. This continuous engagement helps manage chronic diseases more effectively, leading to improved health outcomes and quality of life for patients. Explore real use cases between PCPs and specialists in support of complex patient care.

Streamlined Care Coordination

Effective communication between primary care providers and specialists is crucial for coordinated care. eConsults enhance this communication by providing a platform for sharing patient information, treatment plans, and recommendations in real-time. This streamlined approach not only improves the quality of care but also reduces the likelihood of miscommunication and errors, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Improved Patient Satisfaction

The convenience of eConsults significantly contributes to patient satisfaction. Studies show that 78% of patients prefer eConsults, which can lead to increased adherence to treatment plans and better health outcomes. Health plan participants being treated by PCPs with access to eConsults are more likely to be satisfied with the care they receive.

Provider Engagement

eConsults foster stronger relationships between primary care providers and specialists. By facilitating direct communication, providers can collaborate more effectively, leading to improved care coordination and enhanced patient experiences. This engagement is particularly important in managing complex cases, as it allows for shared decision-making and a more holistic approach to patient care. Additionally, eConsults empower PCPs to stay informed about the latest treatment protocols and specialty services, further enhancing the quality of primary care delivered to patients.

Optimizing In-Person Specialist Visits

Health plans leverage eConsults to optimize access to specialists for the patients who need in-person care most. By avoiding unneeded referrals, eConsults ensure that timely face-to-face appointments are available to the patients who depend on them.

Conclusion

In summary, eConsults enhance cost efficiency, improve access to specialists, streamline care coordination, and increase patient satisfaction. By adopting eConsults, health plans can optimize specialty access, improve member care, and foster provider engagement, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for their members.

Meet With Us to Learn More

RubiconMD is sponsoring the Virginia Association of Health Plans Annual Meeting on May 12–14 in Virginia Beach. If you’ll be attending, stop by our table and say hello, or schedule a customized platform demo.