Over the past four years, telehealth has become more and more prevalent in health care. Across a wide range of specialties, doctors and patients have found that video visits are effective, convenient and affordable. In this post, we’ll explore one of the leading areas for telehealth use: Urgent care.

There’s a reason why online urgent care - and telehealth as a whole- is swiftly gaining ground: this revolutionary approach to care allows patients to virtually discuss their symptoms, get a visual examination of their physical symptoms, and even screen for certain conditions. Some conditions that can be diagnosed and treated during an online urgent care video visit include:

• Asthma
  
• Allergies
  
• Back pain
  
• Cold and flu (sore throats, coughs, etc.)
  
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  
• COVID-19
  
• Migraines
  
• Sinus infections
  
• Skin infections (eczema, ringworm, etc)
  
• Skin rash (poison ivy, etc)
  
• STI screenings (some STIs require a blood test diagnosis, which necessitates in-person care)
  
• Toothaches
  
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  
• Vaginal infections
  

While some health concerns may require labs, imaging, and/or an in-person visit for a definitive diagnosis, online urgent care can generally be used for a wide range of health concerns.

Beyond its treatment capabilities, however, online urgent care is also a practical solution to many of healthcare's most pressing challenges, including convenience, cost and healthcare system strain. We’ve highlighted some of the top benefits of online urgent care below:

1. Virtual urgent care is convenient and accessible

Virtual urgent care - and telehealth as a whole- bridges the gap between patients and medical professionals like never before. Cumbersome doctor’s office commutes and long waits at the doctor’s office can be replaced by a consultation from the comfort of your home in just a few clicks. Online urgent care can also improve accessibility for those who are uninsured, have high-deductible plans or are in underserved areas or rural communities. In fact, an analysis of 53 papers published from January 2020 onwards found that a high level of patient satisfaction with telehealth services was present in nearly every study, with one survey reporting 91% patient satisfaction with video consults for non-emergency care.

Recent studies also highlight that the ease of access offered by online urgent care - and telehealth in general - is widely appreciated by physicians as well. A 2022 Commonwealth Fund survey found that 82% of US physicians felt telehealth improved the timeliness of care they delivered to patients, while nearly 80% reported being “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with practicing telehealth.

2. Online urgent care and other telehealth options can save patients money

The financial benefits of online urgent care are also noteworthy; online urgent care tends to be more affordable than its in-person counterparts, removing the overhead costs associated with physical healthcare facilities and passing the savings on to the patients. This is especially true with direct-to-patient care, in which fees from third parties like insurance and the government are removed and replaced with a direct connection between patients and clinicians. For example, an online urgent care appointment on cash-pay healthcare marketplace Sesame starts at $30–$40 (for a 15-minute appointment). In contrast, most in-person urgent care visits start at about $100 out of pocket.

This access to affordable care is more than a boon for individuals—it's a game-changer for employers as well. In a recent study from the American Journal of Managed Care, researchers compared costs between direct-to-consumer employee telehealth visits and conventional in-person urgent care and primary care encounters for an employer. The results? The average direct-to-consumer telehealth visit cost employers $113.73 less than in-person episodes.

3. Virtual urgent care can reduce strain on healthcare systems

Due to a number of factors (including a decrease in medical school enrollment, an aging physician population and a backlog of patients who delayed care during the pandemic), healthcare systems and care providers have been increasingly strained for the past several years. Physician shortages and subsequent crowding mean that many clinicians do not have the bandwidth to accept new patients, or have lengthy wait times that prevent timely care. In Oregon, for example, the average patient wait time for a dermatologist was 84 days in 2022.

As a result, patients are often forced to visit urgent care clinics or emergency rooms, which must then direct resources toward non-emergency medical care. Virtual urgent care, however, can dramatically reduce healthcare system overload by funneling care for non-life-threatening conditions away from in-person healthcare facilities. This alleviates pressure on in-person emergency departments and urgent care clinics, making room for those who need immediate, in-person attention.

The adoption and acceptance of online urgent care are undoubtedly on the rise, and it's no surprise why. Its benefits are clear and far-reaching, ushering in a new era of healthcare that is more accessible, affordable and efficient than ever before.

If you’re exploring virtual urgent care options, you can book an online urgent care visit on Sesame. These telehealth appointments connect patients directly to licensed healthcare providers at a fraction of the cost of an in-person visit. Sesame clinicians can diagnose, treat, and even prescribe medication for a wide range of medical conditions over video. Enjoy the benefits of online urgent care and save time and money when you book an online urgent care visit on Sesame.

Sources:

• Chaiyachati, Krisda, & Snider, Christopher K. American Journal of Managed Care. ajmc.com/view/economics-of-a-health-system-s-direct-to-consumer-telemedicine-for-its-employees.
  
• Kuehn, BM. Increased Use of Medicare Telehealth During the Pandemic. Journal of the American Medical Association. jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2788367.
  
• Karolina Pogorzelska, Slawomir Chlabicz. Patient Satisfaction with Telemedicine during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Systematic Review. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9140408.
  

Sesame content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical concern, it is critical to seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions. If you are facing a medical emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately.

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