eConsults Solve Senior Access Challenges

Life with multiple chronic conditions is on the rise, particularly for senior patients on Medicare or Medicaid. As healthcare needs become more complex, so do the challenges around accessing quality specialty care. Read more about how primary care providers use eConsults to solve access barriers and improve the quality of life for their elderly patients.

Bridging Gaps in Care Accessibility through eConsults

A recent study reported that on average, Medicare patients 65 years or older spent at least 3 weeks a year getting medical care outside the home. The increasing prevalence of multiple chronic conditions, as well as many additional industry drivers, contribute to the overuse of in-person specialty healthcare referrals. Electronic consults, or “eConsults,” rapidly connect primary care providers with virtual specialty care. As part of a comprehensive approach, they can pave the way for more equitable, efficient, and patient-centered senior care. 

Here are ways eConsults improve the delivery of specialty healthcare for aging and vulnerable populations.

eConsults Enhance Specialty Access

The high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions continues to drive utilization of healthcare services by seniors.  This leads to significant wait times and complex referral navigation. Last year, the National PACE Association identified their participants’ top five chronic conditions as: vascular disease; major depressive, bipolar and paranoid disorders; diabetes with chronic complication; congestive heart failure; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — all conditions that require careful coordination and medication management. eConsults help cut through the red tape by allowing primary care doctors to consult specialists electronically. Through eConsults, PCPs obtain specialist advice quickly, ensuring that senior patients receive timely and appropriate care, and reducing unnecessary referrals by 70%.  

eConsults Reduce Costs and Caregiver Burden

Each year 3.6 million people in the United States skip medical care due to transportation challenges. Older patients in particular may drive less frequently, or not at all, due to age-related cognitive ability loss; they may rely on family members, caregivers, or public transportation, making appointment scheduling more difficult. Avoiding even just one in-person specialty appointment can have a big positive impact on patients. eConsults reduce the cost of care by ensuring timely access to specialty care and enabling PCPs to act as the quarterbacks of care coordination. This results in significant savings, of up to $500 per eConsult. Read more about how eConsults improve savings and quality outcomes for medically fragile, geriatric patients. 

eConsults Promote Healthcare Equity

Healthcare equity is a critical concern, especially for marginalized seniors with limited resources who may live in rural or underserved urban areas. The traditional model of specialist referrals can disproportionately affect these populations, leading to disparities in care. eConsults democratize access to healthcare by enabling PCPs to connect with specialists regardless of geographical or systemic constraints. By breaking down these barriers, eConsults promote a more equitable healthcare system where every senior has an equal opportunity to receive specialty care, regardless of the type of care needed and financial factors.

eConsults Support Patient-Centered Care

RubiconMD is committed to helping primary care teams deliver patient-centered care. For seniors, this means meeting the patient where they are, and bringing the resources to the patient rather than expecting them to navigate their care journey alone. eConsults empower PCPs to provide personalized care and allow for real-time adjustments in treatment plans with expert input. This leads to fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations, contributing further to cost savings and overall patient well-being. PCPs report that RubiconMD eConsults improve patient care plans 80% of the time. 

In Conclusion

There are many reasons why better access means better chances for clinical outcomes for older Medicare and Medicaid patients with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, or COPD. Making it easier to get specialty care through eConsults means fewer missed or rescheduled appointments when access is tough, which in turn reduces medication mismanagement, polypharmacy, and adverse events. eConsults improve healthcare delivery access for seniors by reducing unnecessary referrals and related costs, improving care coordination, and ensuring more equitable, patient-centered care.