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Telehealth for End-of-Life Care: Virtual Solutions in Palliative & Hospice Services

By: Alyssa Hill • Edited by: Brindusa Vanta, MD • 3 cited sources • Updated Oct 29, 2024

Telehealth is increasingly becoming an integral part of healthcare, providing convenient access to medical services without having to visit an office. It’s also becoming more common in end-of-life care, allowing palliative and hospice patients to receive medical care from home. This guide addresses the benefits of telehealth, particularly in hospice and palliative care.

Key Takeaways

• Telehealth is the process of accessing healthcare through telecommunication.
• Telehealth can provide support for both palliative and hospice patients.
• In many cases, insurance covers telehealth and treats it the same way as in-person appointments.

The Role of Telehealth in End-of-Life Care

Telehealth allows individuals to access healthcare remotely via the internet. It involves the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies, often through videoconferencing appointments^[1].

During end of life, it allows patients to receive palliative care from home through several tools, including virtual consultations, remote patient monitoring, and digital communication.

Telehealth in Palliative Care

In palliative care, patients receive medical care to relieve pain and other symptoms caused by a serious illness^[2]. Integrating telehealth into treatment plans allows for regular check-ins with a palliative care team from home, ensuring continuous symptom management and timely interventions.

Telehealth is particularly helpful for providing psychological support and counseling for both your loved one and your family. It may also be used to keep family members in the loop with treatment plans. 

Through telehealth, providers can assist with pain management, medication adjustments, and other aspects of care. It ensures a comprehensive, personalized approach to treatment without the need for regular in-person visits, which can be disruptive or difficult for someone managing a serious illness.

Telehealth in Hospice Care

As with palliative care, telehealth services can also support individuals in hospice care. They allow for continuous support and monitoring for patients approaching the end of life, as the care team is always accessible via video or phone call.

Hospice care teams may conduct virtual visits as necessary to check in on your loved one and make adjustments to their care plan in real time. Telehealth allows urgent needs to be met immediately. Likewise, it can be used to provide emotional support for you or your family during the end-of-life process.

If your loved one is committed to passing away in their home, telehealth can play a crucial role in their care. It allows them to minimize disruptions caused by attending clinics or doctor’s appointments and keeps them in a familiar environment.

Benefits of Telehealth for Patients and Caregivers

Telehealth offers several benefits for both patients and caregivers, including:

• Accessing medical professionals from home: Virtual visits through telehealth allow patients to remain comfortable at home during medical appointments. Receiving care at home can also prevent your loved one from picking up a contagious illness from a clinic or hospital during their regular appointments, which can be particularly important when one is immunocompromised.
• Prompt access to medical advice: With a telehealth hospice team, someone is always available to contact about any concerns or changes, allowing for quick access to medical advice.
• Symptom monitoring: Some symptoms may be monitored electronically. This can allow the care team to adjust the treatment plan as needed, improving your loved one’s comfort and quality of life.
• Emotional support: If you’re remaining with your loved one through their end of life but need additional emotional support, telehealth counseling is also available.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (or HIPAA) set federal standards for protecting personal information. HIPAA rules protect the privacy of your medical documents—both paper and digital, including details shared during telehealth appointments.

Brindusa Vanta, MD

Accessing Telehealth for End-of-Life Care

Accessing telehealth for end-of-life care requires you to meet certain technology requirements. Before setting up telehealth appointments, you need:

• A stable internet connection
• A computer or smartphone with a camera and microphone to conduct a virtual visit
• Any necessary software your care team requires

A telehealth appointment can be scheduled if you have the appropriate equipment and are working with a care team that offers this form of care. Speak to your loved one’s care team to determine if telehealth services are an option.

What Is the Cost of Telehealth Services and Are They Covered by Insurance?

The cost of telehealth care depends largely on your loved one’s insurance coverage and how much their care team charges. Private insurance often treats telehealth services the same as in-person ones. Review your loved one’s health insurance plan to see if it covers the cost and any applicable co-pays.

Medicare often covers the same amount for telehealth services as it does for in-person care. You must ensure your loved one’s healthcare provider takes Medicare and ascertain whether it will cover the cost.

Medicaid’s rules regarding telehealth vary by location. Some states cover it. Speak to your loved one’s provider for more insight^[3].

Addressing Barriers to Virtual Care

Telehealth care can present some challenges, starting with the patient needing to have the capacity to navigate their own computer and at the designated time if they are having the appointments without the assistance of an on-site family member or caregiver. They’ll also need to have the necessary equipment, or have someone get it and set it up for them. Additionally, you need to ensure they have reliable internet access with a strong signal so that appointments can be completed without constant glitching or cutting out.

Some people also have privacy concerns about virtual care because sensitive information is being distributed virtually. However, telehealth often requires encrypted connections to protect sensitive patient information.

While telehealth offers several advantages for hospice and palliative care, certain medical visits require in-person attendance — for example, physical exams, certain procedures, emergency interventions, imaging tests, and hands-on therapies. A hybrid approach combines telehealth and in-person visits to provide comprehensive individualized care.

Brindusa Vanta, MD

Telehealth Creates Healthcare Solutions for Patients in End of Life

Telehealth and virtual care often boost comfort and quality of life during the end-of-life period since they allow patients to remain comfortably at home. These options can also support caregivers, offering counseling and nearly instant access to medical advice as their loved one’s condition changes.

Telehealth may be available for your loved one. Consult with their care team to integrate these services.

Written by Alyssa Hill

Alyssa Hill is an experienced editor and health writer. She holds an M.A. in journalism from the University of Arizona and is also a certified somatic practitioner. A former content manager for multiple start-ups in the marketing and health/medical industries, Alyssa has extensive experience writing medically accurate and well-researched content, editing articles for clarity and SEO, adhering to strict guidelines, and ensuring all content is up to standards.

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Edited by Brindusa Vanta, MD

Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a healthcare professional, researcher, and medical subject matter expert . She earned her MD degree from "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine, Romania. She has a special interest in mental health and has collaborated with psychologists and other mental health practitioners on various research projects focused on therapies to manage depression, age-related cognitive decline, trauma and stressor- related conditions.