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In fact, for the tens of millions of Americans who are living with chronic illness, the nationwide shutdown may have had the paradoxical effect of making the world more, not less, accessible. And this may be particularly true when it comes to the domain of healthcare.
Healthcare from Anywhere
Telehealth is by no means a new phenomenon. With the ascendency of the internet and the increase in teleconferencing technologies, healthcare providers have found new means to reach previously inaccessible patients.
When the pandemic struck, however, what had once been a promising, but still largely underutilized, healthcare tool became an instrument of industry survival. Federal and state governments poured resources into promoting and optimizing, telehealth services. In this way, all patients, and especially those most vulnerable to the virus, could continue to receive the essential care they need from the safety and security of their own homes.
The expansion of telehealth is ensuring that those most at risk of contracting the virus or suffering bad outcomes from it can still receive care without breaking quarantine. But it’s doing more than that: it’s providing increased access to affordable care, as telehealth services tend to be offered at a lower cost than in-office visits. And, for the first time, telehealth is now covered by Medicare, thereby increasing safe access to healthcare for persons with disabilities who are over the age of 65 or unemployed due to their disability.
The expansion of telehealth is also a tremendous benefit for employees with disabilities. Since more than 80% of workers with disabilities are employed only part-time, the majority likely are not covered by employer-provided or private health insurance.
Digital Dentistry
Telehealth services are not only proving instrumental in providing access to traditional medical care for persons with disabilities. It is now possible to use mobile devices to receive state-of-the-art dental care. With just a snap of a smartphone’s camera or a real-time teleconsultation with your dentist from your laptop, your care provider can evaluate both your oral and your physical health.
Various autoimmune disorders, for instance, can have a significant impact on the teeth and gums. A remote evaluation by a dentist, oral surgeon, or periodontist can help patients with conditions ranging from diabetes to Crohn’s disease keep track of their health. This can help the remote healthcare team to spot signs of disease progression or complications before they can advance.
Mental Health Support
Living with a disability is never easy, but it’s even more challenging when combined with the isolation and anxiety of a global pandemic. Telehealth has made it possible, however, for patients to connect with mental healthcare providers whenever and wherever they may need it. Reachout, for example, is an app that can be downloaded right to the patient’s smartphone. With it, users who may be dealing with anything from chronic pain to cancer can receive immediate emotional and psychiatric support, giving them strength and hope to push through to a better tomorrow.
What It All Means
People who live with a disability know all too well that life can be a challenge. Thanks to the expansion of telehealth, however, accessing consistent, high-quality care doesn’t have to be difficult. From the safety and security of their own homes, they can receive the exceptional physical, oral, and mental health care they need and deserve.
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