By John Halamka, MD, and Paul Cerrato, MA
Although remote patient monitoring, machine learning, and artificial intelligence hold great promise for care delivery, there is limited high-value, evidence-based research on these issues. Technology will facilitate the transformation of care, but leaders need to exercise care in their strategy and execution.
Summary
The health care delivery landscape is slowly being transformed as hospitals, clinics, and medical offices seek more cost-effective venues and processes. Many patient encounters are transitioning to a virtual setting as telemedicine, hospital-at-home programs, and remote patient monitoring devices play a larger role. That transition, which has seen a sudden increase because of the Covid-19 pandemic, is likely to continue to accelerate. Temporary measures, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services restructuring its reimbursement regulations to allow for virtual and home-based hospital visits at the same rate as currently allowed for brick-and-mortar facilities, could be extended or made permanent. This analysis discusses the rationale for moving from brick-and-mortar to online care, the scientific evidence supporting the transition, and trends in third-party fee schedules. Finally, the authors review the essential role of artificial intelligence in making this realignment of services a viable option for health care leaders, clinicians, and patients.
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