Patient volumes are down about 35 percent across more than 50,000 independent medical providers because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey by Kareo, a medical technology company.
Kareo surveyed more than 600 medical practices and 140 medical billing companies in late March.
Four findings:
1. Seventy-five percent of medical practices and clinics were either using a telemedicine solution or planned to deploy one soon.
2. Nine percent of practices reported that they had closed by mid-March, but a far greater number reported concerns about future closures.
3. By mid-March, 28 percent of independent practices were exclusively offering telemedicine visits.
4. On-site care was still being delivered by 63 percent of practice respondents as of late March, but most were exploring alternative care options.