Oregonians willing to use telehealth but don’t want to pay the same as in-person doctor’s visit

We’ve all had to become more flexible during this past pandemic year and that includes how we get our health care. Seventy-eight percent of those responding to a recent Voices for Affordable Health survey said they’d experienced a doctor’s appointment conducted by phone or video link.

“My only experience with telehealth was for my CPAP,” said Bruce, who lives in Sisters and uses a CPAP machine for sleep apnea.

“That worked fine, as I had no current medical issues,” he said.  “I would use telehealth in the future depending on the medical issue.”

But Bruce also joined an overwhelming majority who said a virtual visit should cost them less. In fact, 84 percent of the consumers responding to the Voices survey said telehealth should cost less than an in-person visit.

Frank, a retired nurse who lives in Beaverton, said telehealth is not his preferred option because the doctor is unable to physically examine a patient. Besides, he said, patients are “paying premium price for half the quality.”

What do you think? There’s still time to participate in our Voices for Affordable Health telehealth survey. Click here.