Many home health agencies (HHAs) have adopted telehealth during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the tools have become less and less favorable.
According to a new study published in Health Services Research, of the total number of HHAS offering Telehealth, 19% had stopped using technology by the end of 2024. 14%, 14% of these HHAs were those who adopted telehealth after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Research shows that more HHAs may discontinue use unless the US has reimbursed and incentivized the use of HHA telehealth technology.
“We know that despite the lack of CMS refunds, a considerable number of HHAs are still using telehealth by the end of 2024,” the study author wrote. “If no refunds occur, more HHAs may ultimately abandon telehealth. However, this misses the opportunity if telehealth is cost-effective and leads to better patient outcomes.”
The researchers sent a survey to a national sample of 2,135 HHAs and asked whether they adopted telehealth, when they discontinued telehealth, and when they decided to start or stop offering telehealth. The National Association of Home Care and Hospice and the State Association of Home Health Organizations forum have expressed support for the investigation of letters to the HHAS being investigated.
Of the selected HHAs, 791 submitted responses. Few HHAs adopted Telehealth before 2020, but the adoption rate increased from 10.2% in 2019 to 26% in 2020. At that peak, 65% of HHA adopted telehealth.
The biggest reason why we don't adopt or discontinue using Telehealth is that it is not suitable for HHA's client base.
“They detailed that patients tend to be older than 80 years old and older rather than not tech-savvy and prefer face-to-face visits to virtual interactions,” the researchers wrote. “In fact, some people have felt very strongly that home care is virtually not provided, and should not be provided, as exemplified by the single response provided in all capital letters. “We see patients at home.”
The lack of costs and refunds was the second most commonly cited reason.
Although more than half of HHAs were still using telehealth at the end of 2024, the number of HHAs that continue to provide telehealth depends on Medicare's reimbursement policies and information about cost-effectiveness, the researchers write.
“If a rigorous assessment of the effectiveness of telehealth in home health on costs and patient outcomes is required and home health care is found to be cost-effective, CMS should adopt incentives to support the use of HHA with telehealth technology, particularly as the costs of home hygiene were enforced.”
