DTC services are becoming popular, but there are some important questions to answer. For example, who can access them? Who benefits from this kind of service? Are there disadvantages to using DTC healthcare? Here’s what you should know before you try it.
The service is currently only available in 32 statesProviders charge a flat fee for the visit and do not bill health insurance. On average, appointments cost $30Insurance can be used to purchase prescribed medications, but the drug cost is not included in the visitThe service is not covered by federally or state-provided healthcare programs (e. g. , Medicare)Savings from flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health spending accounts (HSA) can be used to pay for services
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The Disadvantages of DTC Telehealth
While DTC telehealth services offer convenient benefits and a new way to access health care, they are not for everyone. For example, these virtual visits are not right for people with complex medical conditions or people experiencing a medical emergency.
They Can’t Replace In-Person Care
Natafgi said that even though DTC services can’t help with all conditions, “they definitely can play a role in improving access to care that does not require a physical in-person presence.”
That said, there are times when seeing your provider face-to-face really matters and makes a difference in your care.
You Might Get Lower Quality Care
A lack of regulation and transparency are two key issues with DTC telehealth services that need to be worked out. Until then, quality of care is another potential disadvantage of using them.
For example, a 2016 study showed that DTC telehealth providers were more likely to inappropriately prescribe antibiotics and were less likely to order diagnostic testing—both of which are factors that can contribute to negative health outcomes.
Natafgi pointed out that like traditional in-person healthcare visits, the quality of care for DTC health services may “vary depending on the provider and requires continuous quality monitoring from an independent party.”
Telehealth: The Future of Medicine?
A 2020 report on telehealth in the United States estimated that with the rapid advancement in technology, telemedicine is considered the future of medicine.
Remote technology became a focal point in our lives during the pandemic—from changing how we work and go to school to how we shop and stay connected with our loved ones.
Now, the question is not whether telehealth will stick around, but how healthcare companies and providers will integrate the service into their business models and practices. According to Natafgi, some insurance companies are already starting to cover telehealth services.
