MDLive anticipates more patients with cold and flu symptoms will seek out care through the company's virtual visits for the 2019-20 flu season compared to previous years.
Using the company's artificial intelligence-based predictive analytics, MDLive reported that its virtual flu-related visits could increase by 43 percent compared to a year ago.
MDLive has diagnosed 158 percent more patients with flu over the last year since the start of flu season on Oct. 1. The company predicts the peak of flu season will be in November. MDLive also anticipates its own virtual visit utilization will peak in January 2020.
"The projections reflect the growing utility of virtual care and its movement to become the preferred method of patient and physician interaction for initial and follow-up flu visits," said Rich Berner, CEO of MDLive. "Key to this growth is our proven ability as a telemedicine provider to leverage our technology for preparedness of our own physician practice as well as our health systems partners and other collaborators. The convenience, quality and cost effectiveness of telemedicine are never more evident than when we address the urgent care needs during a severe flu season."