Retail Outlets Using Telehealth Pose Significant Policy Questions For Health Care

Telehealth will enable new models of care to emerge as health care continues to undergo significant changes. Health insurers, providers, and pharmacy benefit managers are merging, which will consolidate market share among fewer large companies. Recently, retail giants such as Walmart and Amazon have announced plans to compete in the health care industry. As these organizations seek to provide convenient and affordable access to care, telehealth will play a significant role in the competition for market share and will create new opportunities for innovation. Additionally, the increasing adoption of telehealth by retail outlets and vertically integrated health care organizations raises new policy questions in such areas as information access, privacy and security, the combination of health and consumer data, and ways to foster provider independence amid increasing consolidation.