Studies, Surveys and Reports: What Can We Learn?

The pandemic is still taking an impact on healthcare revenue. Digital health and telehealth will continue to show growth. And MGMA report identifies biggest lessons and priorities for Medical Practices in 2021.

Digital Health Funding Hit $21.6 Billion in 2020, More than Double the 2019 Tally
Investments into the online healthcare sector soared in 2020, supercharged by COVID-19. According to the research data analyzed and published by Finaria (@FinariaItalia), the total corporate funding for companies in digital health amounted to $21.6 billion. The amount was more than double the $10.6 billion that flowed into the sector in 2019. It included public market financing, debt and venture capital.

Signaling long-term shifts in healthcare, 62% of Americans say they will prefer telehealth appointments post-pandemic
Prior to 2020, virtual delivery of healthcare services like consultations, routine check-ups, and follow-ups was on the rise, but the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have greatly accelerated the adoption of telehealth services among patients.

With doctors and hospitals limiting in-person visits to slow the transmission of the coronavirus, and more health insurance programs covering telehealth appointments, awareness and utilization of this type of healthcare delivery grew throughout 2020.

Now, Americans are increasingly leaning towards telehealth services for routine medical appointments, according to a new Telehealth.com survey of 1,000 Americans ages 18 to 54 and older. We asked survey respondents about their awareness and utilization of telehealth services before and during the pandemic, and what they think their long-term preferences will be once the pandemic ends.

New Report Shows that 76% of Americans Plan to Use Telehealth Services Post-Pandemic
Telemedicine has been used for years in small towns and rural areas, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed telehealth into the forefront. Overnight, remote medical care became the safest healthcare option for patients and healthcare providers. During the spring of 2020, telehealth appointments in the US went from making up less than 5% of doctor visits to over 90%.

In fact, in a recent survey by SatelliteInternet.com , over half of respondents said they’re more likely to seek medical advice if there is a telehealth option.

New MGMA Report Identifies Biggest Lessons and Priorities for Medical Practices in 2021
As we embrace 2021, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) releases a special report that identifies key learnings from the tumultuous year of 2020 and provides important priorities that medical practices should consider heading into 2021. The report, “MGMA Stat 2020 Year in Review: Through Hardships to the Stars,” is a culmination of MGMA’s national weekly polls of more than 4,800 healthcare leaders on the biggest issues and trends in medical practice management and the healthcare industry. The data included in this report chronicles the turbulence, innovation and resilience of medical practices in 2020, and provides compelling insights into the key issues and priorities for medical practices in 2021.

New MGMA-Humana Report Addresses Pandemic’s Impact on Deferred Care, Highlights How Medical Practices Help Patients Feel Safe, Engaged and Informed
As pandemic social distancing widened to include medical distancing – significantly reducing office visits for routine and sick care throughout much of 2020 – health care leaders are using a broad range of communications and operational tactics to ensure patients receive proper care amid a COVID-19 surge, according to a new report by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) (@MGMA) and Humana (@Humana).

The joint publication, “No Time to Waste: Deferred Care and Pandemic Recovery,” leverages qualitative and quantitative data from medical practices across the United States to illustrate the impact of deferred care during the pandemic. The report also details practical steps and strategies from practice leaders for those in the health care community to pursue to continue recovery and help patients achieve crucial connections with physicians and other providers.

Appriss Health Unveils 2020 Behavioral Health Impact Report
Appriss Health (@ApprissHealth), a technology company delivering point-of-care and data-sharing solutions that improve public health outcomes, announced the release of its first annual Impact Report detailing the company’s efforts to support states, the Department of Veterans Affairs, pharmacies, and hospitals to improve behavioral health and substance use healthcare resources in 2020, a year that saw unprecedented public health challenges.

KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor: January 2021These additional findings were released January 27, 2021.
Vaccine Hesitancy
The KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor  (@KFF) is an ongoing research project tracking the public’s attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccinations. Using a combination of surveys and qualitative research, this project tracks the dynamic nature of public opinion as vaccine development and distribution unfold, including vaccine confidence and hesitancy, trusted messengers and messages, as well as the public’s experiences with vaccination.

healthinsurance.com Survey: COVID-19 Pandemic Is Advancing Healthcare Technology
The COVID-19 pandemic has a majority of Americans more aware of their health and embracing health technology from telemedicine to virtual workouts, according to a new healthinsurance.com national survey of 1,000 U.S. adults.

In a health pandemic, 83% are more aware of their health and the health of those around them because of COVID-19. And that’s because COVID-19 has personally affected so many. 68% said that they have or know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Tragically, nearly 4 in 10 said they knew someone who passed away from the COVID-19 virus. There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon with the vaccine rollout; two-thirds said they will get the COVID-19 vaccine once available to them.

National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) conducted a survey of employers and other private purchaser of healthcare with its members to gain insights on benefit strategies and reform.

The online survey was conducted in August and September 2020 and reflects the responses of 165 employers from across the country.