Abstract
In most Western countries, health-care expenses are mainly covered by health insurance companies and/or national health systems that narrowly define the concept of medical care. Any service that is reimbursed must demonstrate scientifically its ability to meet health needs in a more cost-effective way. Most digital-health applications lack proof that they lead to a long-term improvement in user health that would lead to economic benefits for health systems. Traditional economic evaluations recommended by health-care authorities are poorly adapted to the specificities of telemedicine. Multidimensional assessment frameworks can help to better assess its added value, even if they also have certain limitations. While waiting to demonstrate the economic benefits retroactively once telemedicine services are widespread, business models must support these start-up phases by independent financing.
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Notes
- 1.
INAHTA (International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment) (October 8, 2013). HTA glossary. HTAi.
- 2.
Grille d’Evaluation Multidisciplinaire Santé Autonomie—Multidimensional Evaluation Grid for Health and Autonomy.
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Pascal, C. (2017). Tapping the Full Potential of eHealth: Business Models Need Economic Assessment Frameworks. In: Menvielle, L., Audrain-Pontevia, AF., Menvielle, W. (eds) The Digitization of Healthcare. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95173-4_3
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