- Home
- Brookdale Life
- Brookdale Blogs
- Doctors on Demand: Is Telehealth Right for You?
January 21, 2020
Depending on your health, it’s possible to have doctor’s appointments almost every week. Cancer patients who require frequent doctor visits, those with chronic conditions that require long-term management (arthritis, allergies, diabetes, for example) and people in recovery from a surgery that calls for multiple follow-ups may all potentially benefit from telehealth appointments.
When unexpected symptoms arise or sudden illness strikes, a doctor’s visit may be difficult to schedule at the last minute. Luckily, telehealth makes having a doctor’s expertise just one video call away.
From assessing symptoms to diagnosis to the prescription of medications, doctors may be able to provide peace of mind until an in-person appointment can be made. Depending on the diagnosis and any medical advice you receive from your doctor, you may be able to skip an in-person appointment altogether and save yourself an unnecessary trip.
Healthcare can be expensive; that’s no secret. The average estimated cost for an in-person short term care visit in the U.S. is $136 to $176. With telehealth, it may only cost around $40 to $50. Another cost of health care many people may not think about is how much money it takes for facilities to provide onsite care.
In the U.S., the administrative costs of healthcare is more than double what it is in other countries. By using telehealth, U.S. hospitals and medical facilities can save an estimated $20,841.
Telehealth is not meant to replace doctor’s visits, but it may be able to make maintaining a healthy lifestyle more convenient. Plus, it gives seniors an excuse to flex their tech muscle. Check out our articles about tech for seniors!
The above content is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site.