How is non-DPC Telehealth Doing? Bad.

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A recent article called Telehealth takes a tumble, but experts say the fight isn’t over details how bad telehealth is doing. Take a look at this:

  • UnitedHealth Group announced it was shutting down its Optum Virtual Care program.
  • Walmart announced it would shutter both Walmart Health and Walmart Health Virtual Care.
  •  Teladoc posted a net loss of $838 million in Q2.

Telehealth got a boost during the pandemic so, of course, private equity and VCs jumped on board quickly. Now that the pandemic is over they are using that as an excuse for their financial losses. They also claim the economy downturn is hurting. Maybe. I’m not so sure.

Only one guy in the article stated the truth: Telehealth is a complement to your family doc and not a substitute.

Yup.

Here’s another quote:

“If you’re only kind of doing one piece of the puzzle…care doesn’t really work that way,” Streat said. “You can’t be single-threaded because it’s not going to be able to help me, as a patient, deal with my care journey.”

Direct Primary Care is the full puzzle. That’s where telehealth fits.

About Douglas Farrago, MD

Dr. Farrago is a retired family physician based in Forest, Virginia. Since 2021, he has run DPCnews.com, a leading resource for the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement. He is the author of three best-selling books on Direct Primary Care: The Official Guide to Starting Your Own Direct Primary Care Practice The Direct Primary Care Doctor’s Daily Motivational Journal Slowing the Churn in Direct Primary Care (While Also Keeping Your Sanity) In 2016, Dr. Farrago conceived the idea for the Direct Primary Care Alliance and co-founded the organization alongside other pioneering DPC physicians. He is widely recognized as a leading expert in the DPC model and frequently lectures to medical students, residents, and practicing physicians on how to successfully start and run their own DPC practices.Dr. Farrago sold his Direct Primary Care practice in October 2020 but continues to receive care there as a patient.