Digital transformation plans moved into top gear for insurers and providers after new normals like lockdowns and stay-at-home measures to handle the pandemic came into effect last year.
Digitalization in every sphere became a necessity even as online meetings became the only way where the team can gather for some brainstorming. In a short span of time, many employers were challenged to go for investment and adoptions of new strategies to stay afloat. The digital transformation envelope got pushed with the full throttle. The best examples are rapid roll out and adoption of telehealth, remote primary care appointments, therapy sessions and retail clinic consultation. EHR integration was put on priority to swiftly share patient data across healthcare, the long-term strategies have been expedited and contactless payments become a norm.
- A year into the pandemic, when vaccination drive is on, here are the top 3 strategies healthcare organizations can leverage from pandemic-induced trends.
- Go for digital patient engagement
Pandemic has forced health organizations to go for customer-centric solutions specially made to enhance the patient experience. If any health organization does not have a digital patient engagement strategy in place, the time is now to do so. It is worth an investment. Have digital channels across all touchpoints with the patients. It provides smooth access, put in place online self-scheduling, pre-registration, contactless electronic payments and a facility for automated reminders. - Invest in touchless strategies
The aim should be to restrict direct contact within humans and with surfaces. Also, take inventory of how many solutions and vendors you have tied to financial transactions. Patient data already has many starts and stops based on the claim cycle. Expand existing or create new omnichannel offerings with contactless payment options for patients, such as allowing consumers to store payment methods on file, check-ins for appointments, or digital insurance claim submissions. - Cybersecurity is the key
With digital transformation going at a rapid speed, cybersecurity assumes utmost importance. It is necessary imperative that providers continue to safeguard critical business and patient data. COVID-19 has driven cybercriminals to escalate ransomware attacks against payers, providers and patients this year, and the trend is expected to continue. In a joint announcement with the FBI and Health and Human Services this fall, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a joint advisory that says they have “credible information of an increased and imminent cybercrime threat to U.S. hospitals and healthcare providers.” The need for stronger controls and security measures to help protect computer networks from a disruption of healthcare services and to protect sensitive Protected Health Information remains critically important.
- Go for digital patient engagement