The growing practice of prescribing medical devices via telemedicine

There are all sorts of specialty services that are being delivered by telemedicine – telepsychiatry, teleradiology, tele-ICU, to name a few. But there is one unique telemedicine service that is growing and deserves attention: medical device prescriptions via virtual care.

UpScriptHealth specializes in this type of healthcare. Recently, Axena Health, a medical device company focused on female pelvic health, launched telehealth services with UpScriptHealth to connect women with prescribing clinicians who can assess their incontinence symptoms and, if appropriate, prescribe the Leva System. With the U.S. facing a growing shortage of gynecologists, the new telehealth service will allow women to quickly and easily access effective first-line treatment.

UpScriptHealth is also partnering with other medical device companies to expand access. For example, it is supporting telehealth consultations for Spark Biomedical’s Sparrow Ascent, the only FDA-cleared, drug-free, non-addictive, non-invasive, wearable treatment technology for the relief of opioid withdrawal symptoms. And it is partnering with Lucid Diagnostics to expand access to esophageal pre-cancer testing via telehealth.

We interviewed Peter Ax, Founder and CEO of UpScriptHealth, about his company that focuses directly on consumer telehealth. We discussed which medical devices are suitable for telemedicine, how the entire process of obtaining a prescription for a medical device works via telehealth, how a telehealth company and a medical device manufacturer work together, and the lessons he’s learned about delivering telehealth.

Q. Your direct-to-consumer telehealth company specializes in medical device prescriptions. What is it about medical devices that lends itself to telemedicine?

A. Medical devices are uniquely suited to telemedicine because they enable remote monitoring and management, which is a significant benefit for both providers and patients. By leveraging connected medical devices, providers can monitor patients’ conditions in real time, collecting vital health data continuously or at scheduled intervals without the need for in-person visits.

This capability is particularly valuable in the treatment of chronic conditions such as diabetes, where consistent monitoring and timely interventions are critical for effective management and adherence.

The convenience and accessibility of telemedicine are transformative for patients. Through telehealth, patients can access medical device prescriptions and follow-up treatments from the comfort of their own home. This is especially beneficial for people living in remote or underserved areas, where healthcare facilities may be scarce and travel can be burdensome.

Telemedicine is also suitable for people with mobility problems or people who need regular check-ups. This eliminates the need to visit the doctor frequently, saving the associated time and costs.

In addition, telemedicine streamlines the process of obtaining medical devices, significantly improving efficiency. Traditional methods often involve multiple in-person appointments, from initial consultations to follow-up visits for device fittings and usage instructions.

Telemedicine simplifies this process by enabling virtual consultations, where healthcare providers can assess patients, prescribe appropriate devices, and provide detailed instructions for use – all in one session. This not only saves time for both patients and providers, but also speeds up the initiation of treatment.

Telehealth platforms can also provide educational resources for the medical device being used, including comprehensive virtual training sessions, instructional videos, and real-time support. These resources ensure that patients understand how to use their devices correctly and effectively, which is critical to achieving desired health outcomes.

For example, in our partnership with Axena Health, we ensure that patients prescribed the Leva Pelvic Health System receive comprehensive guidance on how to use it. This includes virtual consultations where healthcare providers explain how to use the system correctly, supported by real-time feedback directly from the device.

In addition to patient education, telehealth platforms facilitate ongoing patient engagement and support. Healthcare providers can remotely monitor patient progress, provide timely advice, and make necessary adjustments to treatment plans based on data collected by medical devices.

This ongoing interaction ensures a high level of patient engagement, compliance with treatment regimens and overall satisfaction with the care received.

Ultimately, the integration of medical devices with telemedicine transforms healthcare delivery by making it more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric. This combination harnesses the power of technology to close gaps in healthcare access, especially for those who need it most, and ensures that patients receive high-quality care tailored to their individual needs.

Q. Can you explain how the whole process works to get a prescription for a medical device via telehealth?

A. The process of obtaining a medical device prescription via telehealth typically begins with a patient visiting the brand’s website, where they see a “button” asking if they would like to connect with a telehealth provider. If the patient clicks that button, they are taken to a telehealth platform, where they fill out a short questionnaire detailing their medical history and symptoms.

This is followed by an online consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who will review the questionnaire, discuss symptoms, and determine if the medical device is appropriate for the patient’s condition. If deemed appropriate, the healthcare provider will write a prescription and explain how to use the device. The prescribed device is then shipped to the patient’s home, accompanied by instructional materials, virtual training, and ongoing support to ensure proper use.

Finally, the patient can receive virtual follow-up consultations to monitor progress, adjust the treatment plan if necessary, and verify that the device is working effectively.

Q. You work with Axena Health and its medical device for women’s pelvic health, Spark Biomedical and its medical device for opioid withdrawal relief, and Lucid Diagnostics and its esophageal precancer tests. Can you talk a little bit about how a telehealth company and a medical device manufacturer work together?

A. A telehealth company and a medical device manufacturer can collaborate by integrating the manufacturer’s products into a telehealth platform, allowing patients to access and receive prescriptions for these devices through virtual consultations with physicians who are specifically trained to use the medical device.

The telehealth company provides educational resources and training to patients, ensuring they understand how to properly use the medical devices through virtual training sessions, instructional videos, and real-time support. The medical devices can collect and transmit health data to the telehealth platform, allowing healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients’ conditions and make informed decisions about their treatment.

Both the telehealth company and the medical device manufacturer ensure that regulatory requirements, such as FDA approvals and HIPAA regulations, are met to protect patient safety and privacy.

For example, UpScriptHealth has partnered with Axena Health to provide patients with access to the Leva Pelvic Health System through a seamless telehealth experience. Axena Health has integrated UpScriptHealth’s telehealth platform directly into their website, making it easy for women to obtain prescriptions and support for the Leva System.

Additionally, through a partnership with Spark Biomedical, UpScriptHealth’s platform expands access to Sparrow Ascent, the only FDA-approved, drug-free, non-addictive, non-invasive, wearable treatment technology for the relief of opioid withdrawal symptoms.

UpScritpHealth is also partnering with Lucid Diagnostics to enable teleconsultations for the EsoGuard Esophageal DNA Test, a commercially available diagnostic test that can serve as a broadly applicable screening tool for at-risk patients to help reduce risk through early detection of esophageal precancer.

As a result, more than 4,000 firefighters have now been tested for esophageal precancer using telehealth protocols.

Q. What lessons have you learned about delivering telehealth?

A. First, effective patient engagement is key. Providing comprehensive educational resources, user-friendly platforms, and responsive support helps patients feel confident and informed about their treatment.

Second, compliance with regulatory requirements, such as FDA approvals and HIPAA regulations, is critical to maintaining patient safety and trust. Ongoing efforts to remain compliant are necessary to protect patient information and ensure the efficacy and safety of the treatments we provide.

Finally, collecting continuous feedback from patients and caregivers helps us identify areas for improvement and drive innovation in our telehealth services. This feedback loop is essential for driving continuous improvements and delivering high-quality care.

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