The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded almost $55 million through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to 29 HRSA-funded health centers [1]. Health centers in 13 different states and Puerto Rico were each awarded between $1.07 million and $2 million to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative strategies that optimize virtual care use and can be adapted and scaled through the Health Center Program. This funding aims to increase access to health care and quality for underserved populations through virtual care, such as telehealth, digital patient tools, health information technology platforms, and remote patient monitoring. It also builds upon the over $7.3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding invested in community health centers to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 [2].
Virtual care is a game-changer in reaching underserved populations, especially during the pandemic. This funding will support health centers in leveraging innovative technology to advance health equity for all Americans. LetsGetChecked can support health centers in reaching patients who otherwise would not receive the quality health care they need. Our virtual care solutions, including consultations, ongoing support, education, asynchronous chat, and remote monitoring, make it easier to engage patients outside the traditional care setting.
Opportunities to leverage virtual health care
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, health centers have expanded their use of virtual care to maintain access to essential care services. From 2019 to 2020, the number of virtual visits reported by health centers increased by 6,000% from 478,333 to 28,550,608 [3]. Additionally, the number of health centers that offer virtual visits increased from 592 in 2019 to 1,362 in 2022 [4]. The HHS recognizing the benefits of expanding coverage and providing these financial awards will enable health centers to sustain an expanded level of virtual care and identify and implement new virtual strategies. Virtual care solutions can support community health centers in expanding their reach to vulnerable populations so they can gauge their risk and manage certain conditions virtually.
Incorporating virtual care into care models through expanding the types of care that can be delivered virtually with innovative at-home diagnostics, integrating remote monitoring and clinical guidance, and more can improve patient outcomes and overall performance. This funding offers the opportunity to help improve care access and quality through the power of virtual health care. Virtual care that includes convenient at-home testing, education, and guidance makes it easier and less complicated for underserved populations to access the care they need when they need it.
How LetsGetChecked can be your partner in virtual care
While accessing key health care services can be challenging for underserved communities. LetsGetChecked’s virtual care solutions are shifting preventive screenings to the at-home setting. Health centers can partner with LetsGetChecked to leverage our virtual care platform and close gaps in care, and increase engagement with underserved communities. Our at-home services make it easy for you to connect to your patients virtually through at-home screenings, delivering clear and confidential results, remote patient monitoring, e-prescriptions, and proactive clinical intervention.
At-home diagnostics allow members to collect their samples from the comfort of their own homes without the need for on-site appointments. E-prescriptions for certain conditions are also available to help eliminate barriers to treatment by discreetly delivering medication to the home. Additionally, our dedicated in-house clinical team can help your center provide virtual support and guidance to patients throughout every step of their health care journey.
Close gaps in care with LetsGetChecked’s virtual care solutions
Today’s healthcare experience is difficult to navigate. In a world where nearly every aspect of our lives has become remote, LetsGetChecked’s virtual care solutions can help empower underserved communities to engage in prevention and provide them with crucial insights into their health. The LetsGetChecked solution brings together a suite of virtual healthcare solutions that patients can engage in from the comfort of their own home with minimal lift from you. Our over 100 at-home diagnostic tests and valuable health insights delivered through our top-rated app can help improve access to health care and quality for underserved populations.
Together, we can close the gaps that make accessing quality health care difficult and ensure that services are easily available to those who need them most.
References
- https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/02/14/hhs-awards-nearly-55-million-increase-virtual-health-care-access-quality-through-community-health-centers.html
- https://ibo.nyc.ny.us/iboreports/federal-assistance-how-the-mayor-plans-to-use-billions-in-covid-related-aid-for-schools-fiscal-brief-september-2021.html
- https://www.modernhealthcare.com/community-health-centers/hhs-gives-55m-community-health-centers-virtual-care-access#:~:text=Community centers reported a 6%2C000,2022%2C a 130%25 increase.
- https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/hhs-awards-community-health-centers-55m-reach-underserved-telehealth
