5 Things to Look for in a Telehealth Vendor

Find the Right Telehealth Vendor with These Helpful Tips

There’s been a lot of talk recently about the rise of telehealth and telemedicine. As exciting as this technology can be, finding the right vendor and system for your practice or hospital isn’t always easy. Making sense of all these technical specifications and digital features can leave some program managers feeling overwhelmed.

This new technology should work for you and your colleagues, not against you. You need to find a vendor that will have your back as you go about implementing this technology into your practice. Use these tips to find top telemedicine companies and the best telehealth software for your facility.

Is it easy to use for both providers and patients?

Your organization will be using this new system frequently, so it needs to be easy to use or it could end up slowing your entire workflow. The interface should be easy to navigate as you search for information. Depending on the software, your patients may need to use this software as well, so it needs to be as straightforward as possible.

Try to ensure the company can set up a live demo and answer any questions as you use the system for the first time. You also need to consider any device or system requirements that may affect your ability to use this software.

Is it secure?

Cybersecurity is a fundamental part of using digital technology, especially when you’re storing sensitive healthcare information. Your telehealth vendor should feature extensive encryption technology to prevent hackers from accessing or disclosing this information.

The vendor also needs to have a business associate agreement in place to protect private information. Their software should also be HITRUST certified and HIPAA compliant to meet certain industry standards. Keeping your patients’ information safe should always be your top priority when implementing a telehealth program.

Does it have mobile access?

One of the greatest benefits of beginning a telehealth program is accessing your practice information on-the-go using a telemedicine app. If your vendor offers full mobile compatibility, you can quickly schedule patients, check patient records, access payment information and correspond with patients in real-time.

Do they offer robust customer support?

All types of issues and questions are bound to pop up when you’re installing a new system, so your telehealth vendor should have robust customer service and IT support teams in place to help your organization make this important transition. The vendor’s customer service personnel should be friendly, knowledgeable, and prompt.

If something goes wrong with your system, being placed on hold isn’t an option, especially when you have patients waiting to use these services, or when delivering time-sensitive care. Ideally, the customer support team should be available 24/7.

Finding the best telemedicine company for your organization takes time and due diligence. Instead of searching for just a telehealth vendor, look instead for a telehealth partner who will work with you and your team to ensure your solution meets all of your needs. Do your research, make sure the product is easy to use and accessible on-the-go, and decide on a company that offers reliable customer support.