Healthcare complexity and telehealth impact patient care

Navigating the healthcare system presents significant challenges for patients, particularly those with complex medical needs. For individuals enrolled in Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, managing multiple chronic conditions is often complicated by administrative friction, such as repeated forms, delayed approvals, and the need to coordinate between various providers.

Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that 44% of dual eligible beneficiaries report being in fair or poor health, compared to 17% of non-dual eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Furthermore, 26% of this group manages five or more chronic conditions. These complexities often force patients to spend limited time and energy on logistics, such as arranging transportation or coordinating specialists, rather than on direct health management.

Telehealth technology is emerging as a tool to reduce these burdens by allowing patients to handle routine tasks remotely. For interactions that do not require physical examinations—such as medication renewals, follow-up questions, or discussing ongoing treatments—telehealth can eliminate the need for travel, waiting rooms, and time away from work or family responsibilities. While clinical judgment remains necessary to determine when in-person visits are required, remote options can simplify the healthcare journey and return valuable time to patients.