While healthcare systems and vendors lobby to modernize telehealth regulation in Texas, the state’s residents favor new care models, according to surveys from the Texas Association of Business (TAB).
“Texas healthcare consumers are calling for new ways to receive care,” according to an announcement on the surveys. “They want immediate access without time-consuming waits. They want providers to use technology to streamline services. They want care at a better price.”
The business advocacy organization conducted the two surveys on attitudes toward telemedicine: One involved 600 registered voters, while the other included 159 of TAB's member businesses.
Among the individual, registered voters:
- 70 percent approve of the use of telehealth to diagnose common medical conditions
- 25 percent use the emergency room for minor problems
- 51 percent believe it’s more difficult now to see a doctor in person
- 23 percent in rural areas drive 30 minutes or more for a doctor visit
The business members said:
- 77 percent support telemedicine for diagnosing common medical conditions
- 18 percent offer telemedicine among employee benefits
- All who currently offer a telemedicine benefit plan to keep it and 24 percent plan to expand it
- 66 percent of those who offer a telemedicine benefit report positive employee feedback about it and none reported negative feedback
The Texas Medical Board and Teladoc have wrangled in court since 2011, largely over what “face-to-face” means in the state’s requirement for an established doctor-patient relationship prior to use of telemedicine.
The Texas Hospital Association, the University of Texas, and vendors including American Well and Teladoc met earlier this summer to hash out their differences on regulation and have submitted a proposed bill to the Texas Legislature.