Devon Blog

Tag: rural

  • Over 400 rural hospitals are at a risk of closure

    source: Chartis 2025 “Rural Health state of the state”

    Why is that?

    • Smaller, aging populations mean lower patient volumes.
    • Heavy reliance on Medicare and Medicaid leads to thinner margins.
    • Workforce shortages drive up costs and limit service lines.
    • Closures of OB, oncology, and other departments reduce both access and revenue.

    The result: communities lose local care options, and hospitals struggle to remain anchors of health.

    At HealthOcta, we’re building VideoConsults to help rural hospitals retain patients, expand specialty coverage, and strengthen their long-term sustainability. We believe technology should reduce the pressure, not add to it.

    How VideoConsults helps here?

    Problem: Low patient volumes + service line closures make it hard to justify onsite specialists.
    VideoConsults helps by: Allowing rural hospitals to access specialists on-demand (cardiology, ID, endocrinology, etc.) without the fixed cost of hiring full-time staff. Patients can be kept local rather than transferred out.

    Problem: High transfer rates = lost revenue + fragmented care.
    VideoConsults helps by: Giving ERs and inpatient units a direct specialist connection. Many cases that would have been transferred can now be managed locally, keeping both revenue and trust in the community hospital.

    Problem: Workforce shortages, recruitment difficulty, and burnout.
    VideoConsults helps by: Extending the reach of the limited staff they do have. A single hospitalist can lean on specialty support, reducing decision fatigue and improving confidence in care.

    Problem: Financial pressure from payer mix and sustainability issues.
    VideoConsults helps by: Creating a flexible, scalable specialty access model that grows (or shrinks) with patient volume, no sunk cost in trying to sustain a low-volume service line.

    Problem: Community trust erodes when services vanish.
    VideoConsults helps by: Preserving access to advanced care close to home, reinforcing the hospital’s role as the anchor of the community.

    What makes VideoConsults unique in how we approach the solution…

    Unlike outsourced telehealth services, VideoConsults is not a replacement for your team, it’s an infrastructure layer that hospitals license and control. We’re a specialty access fabric that brings to you integrated devices, structured intake and telehealth tools. Add to it your own specialists or specialists you contract with. We even have a directory of specialists we could refer to you.

    • Clinical control stays local: Hospital leadership decides which specialists to connect, whether it’s their own employed physicians or contracted partners.
    • Flexible staffing: Rural hospitals can choose to partner with regional hubs, independent specialists, or IDNs, and swap or add partners without changing the platform.
    • Technology + compliance backbone: We bring structured intake, EMR-lite documentation, device integration, and even offer back-office support, but the hospital leads care delivery.

    Sustainable model: This puts community hospitals in the driver’s seat, they decide where to invest scarce resources while still ensuring specialty coverage.

    Too often, “tech solutions” create new problems – more workflows, more costs. For rural hospitals already stretched thin, that’s not sustainable. We built VideoConsults with a different principle: technology should lighten the load. By simplifying specialty access, reducing transfers, and fitting seamlessly into existing operations, our platform helps hospitals strengthen care without adding complexity or taking control away from leadership. In addition, VideoConsults is designed to be flexible for every budget. Tap to see more about the VideoConsults platform or talk to us about it.

  • Partner With HealthOcta: Expand Your Reach Through eClinics & VideoConsults

    About HealthOcta

    HealthOcta is redefining how physicians and healthcare organizations connect with patients and facilities. We provide the secure, compliant, and easy-to-use infrastructure that lets healthcare practitioners focus on practicing medicine, while we handle the technology, scheduling, payments, and operational support.

    Our eClinic solutions empower physicians & physician groups to build independent practices online while through VideoConsults we’re also creating access channels for you to support hospitals, ERs, assisted living facilities, and urgent care centers that urgently need subspecialty expertise.

    eClinics: Your Telemedicine Practice, Simplified

    Turnkey telemedicine practice: No setup costs, no infrastructure investments.

    Direct patient access: Patients can book you directly from your profile, or be matched through our platform’s smart routing.

    Flexible models: Offer second opinions, chronic disease management, or focus on international patients.

    Durable practice model: Build income on your own terms and continue practicing well into retirement.

    With eClinics, you’re in control, you define your consultation rates, define your services, and practice medicine your way. Learn more about eClinics by HealthOcta

    VideoConsults: Better Access for Hospitals & Facilities

    Specialist support on demand: Be the remote expert when hospitals, ERs, or ALFs need you most.

    Better patient outcomes: Enable local providers to make faster, more accurate decisions without unnecessary transfers.

    Expanded reach through HealthOcta: Your expertise is extended hundreds of miles without leaving your office.

    Institutional partnerships: Hospitals and facilities contract with HealthOcta to secure access to specialists like you.

    VideoConsults lets you plug directly into the needs of healthcare organizations, becoming their lifeline for subspecialty care. Learn more about VideoConsults by HealthOcta

    Why teaming up with HealthOcta is a win-win

    Sub-SpecialtyWhy It’s a Fit for Providers & Healthcare Institutions
    OphthalmologyERs & rural hospitals often lack on-site ophthalmologists; critical for “treat vs transfer” in acute eye injuries or retinal issues
    DermatologyALFs, SNFs, urgent care, and primary care can assess lesions, rashes, infections remotely
    CardiologyNeeded for chest pain triage, arrhythmia detection, CHF management in hospitals, ALFs, SNFs, home health
    EndocrinologyChronic care in primary care/FQHCs and SNFs; diabetes management & thyroid follow-up
    Infectious DiseaseWound care in SNFs, ALFs, correctional facilities; outbreak containment in rural hospitals & tribal health
    OrthopedicsInjury triage in ER/urgent care/occupational health; post-op follow-up in rehab facilities
    PsychiatryHigh demand in ALFs, SNFs, correctional facilities, urgent care for behavioral health crises
    Pain ManagementChronic pain evaluation for ALFs, SNFs, rehab, home health
    PulmonologyCOPD, asthma, post-COVID lung follow-up in rural hospitals, SNFs, home health
    RheumatologyALFs/SNFs for arthritis and autoimmune disease management

    How HealthOcta Works With Providers

    • For eClinics: Providers practice independently. We provide the platform and support in exchange for a simple, transparent platform fee or subscription.
    • For VideoConsults: We contract with facilities, you provide the clinical expertise, and we enable the technology & secure connection.

    In both cases, you bill as the provider of record. HealthOcta never interferes with your clinical independence.

    Next Step:
    Join HealthOcta today. Contact us. Open up your eClinic and gain access to institutional opportunities through VideoConsults. Let’s build the future of accessible, high-quality care together.

  • Need a Second Opinion? Here’s Why More Patients Are Turning to eClinics by HealthOcta

    When it comes to your health, uncertainty is not an option. If you’ve been given a diagnosis you’re unsure about, or you’re facing a serious treatment decision, getting a second opinion can provide clarity, confidence, and in some cases, a completely different direction.

    But in the traditional healthcare system, getting a second opinion often takes weeks. You need referrals, approvals, and the patience to navigate scheduling bottlenecks. If you’re uninsured or paying out of pocket, it can be even harder to access the expertise you need.

    That’s where eClinics by HealthOcta comes in.

    Second opinions, without the wait

    eClinics by HealthOcta is a virtual care platform that gives you direct access to licensed doctors—including specialists—without needing insurance or referrals. You browse profiles, choose a provider based on their background and experience, and book a consult on your time. It’s pay-per-consult, with upfront pricing and no hidden charges.

    Whether you’re dealing with a chronic condition, a recent diagnosis, or a recommendation for surgery, you can speak with a qualified expert who listens carefully, reviews your history, and gives you real feedback.

    Why second opinions matter

    Second opinions aren’t just about peace of mind. They often lead to better outcomes. Studies have shown that when patients seek a second opinion:

    • 15–30% receive a changed or refined diagnosis
    • More than 60% receive a modified treatment plan
    • Some patients are able to avoid unnecessary procedures altogether

    In many cases, it’s not that the first doctor was wrong. It’s that medicine is complex, and perspectives differ. A second pair of eyes can reveal things that were missed—or offer a simpler, less invasive solution.

    Global access to specialists

    One of the advantages of eClinics by HealthOcta is that you’re not limited to specialists in your city or your network. You can consult with doctors across the country or even across borders. Many are internationally trained, have U.S. board certifications, or have years of experience managing exactly the condition you’re dealing with.

    This matters if you:

    • Live in a rural area or a small town
    • Don’t want to wait weeks for an in-network referral
    • Want the input of someone with a different medical background
    • Need an expert in a specific subspecialty that’s not locally available

    No insurance? No problem.

    Traditional second opinions often require insurance approvals, copays, or travel. With eClinics, you skip the bureaucracy entirely. Everything is paid directly between you and the provider. You know the cost before you book. You’re not locked into long-term plans or subscriptions. You pay only when you need care.

    For patients with high-deductible plans or no insurance at all, this model removes the friction. It puts you back in control of your health.

    Built for people who want answers, not obstacles

    If you’ve ever left a medical appointment with more questions than answers, you’re not alone. eClinics is designed for people who want clear, expert guidance without the delays and barriers of traditional care.

    You’re not rushed. You’re not navigating a call center or portal. You’re speaking with a medical professional who’s there to listen and respond—on your terms.

    Take the next step

    Getting a second opinion used to be a hassle. Now it’s a few clicks away. eClinics by HealthOcta makes it easier to be informed, proactive, and confident in your medical decisions. It’s a simple platform built around your needs—not insurance networks, hospital systems, or outdated rules.

    When it comes to your health, more clarity is never a bad idea.

  • Video Consults for Endocrinology

    Its clear to all that we’re living a national shortage of healthcare providers – some have gone on to call it an Public Health crisis.

    The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates (March 2023) that the United States will face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. This shortage is expected to span both primary- and specialty-care fields. The shortage is projected to increase by 37,800 to 124,000 physicians within 12 years

    The shortage is driven by increasing demand for physician services, particularly population growth and aging. The workforce shortage has been increasing since before the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerated at an even more alarming rate thereafter.

    California, Florida, and Texas are the three states expected to have the greatest estimated physician shortage by 2030.

    More than 46 million Americans, or 15 percent of the U.S. population, live in rural areas

    Today, Rural areas make up nearly two-thirds of primary care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in the country. Rural residents are more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke. About 20 percent of Americans live in rural areas, but barely one-tenth of physicians practice there.

    We created Video Consults to help address this coverage gap by fusing together technology with medical experts spanning a wide geography. We’ve created an Ophthalmology practice and are now on our way to focus on Endocrinology needs of the nation.

    Why Endocrinology?

    The number of endocrinologists who treat adults is not growing nearly fast enough to keep up with the surging demand driven by a growing and aging population compounded by the continuing obesity epidemic. There has been a shortage of practitioners in the field of Endocrinology for many years. The continuing obesity pandemic, growth in diabetes and other endocrine disorders has only made the situation worse.

    “The wait time for a new patient to be seen is much greater than in almost any other specialty in medicine by a factor of two.
    You can get in to see a cardiologist in 15 days, but it’ll take you 37 days to get in to see an endocrinologist,”

    Robert A. Vigersky, MD (cited from Endocrine news, Dec 2014)

    How does Video Consults help?

    • Our platform enables healthcare institutions to improve access and reach to specialty services
    • Enables the provider to request a specialty service on-demand. Greater reach to specialists.
    • Practitioner (specialist) gets ubiquitous reach without the need to travel away from their medical practice. Better quality of life for the practitioner.
    • Access to expert consultation is received quicker, faster and more economically.
    • Patients receive a higher level of care.

    Our Endocrinology service line is yet another way in which Video Consults continues to deliver on HealthOcta’s mission of fusing expertise in technology and medicine to help healthcare providers deliver a higher level of care to their patients.

    Get in touch. Join us & learn more.

    We’re growing our Endocrinology practice are keen to engage with physicians across the country. Sign up to be part of our network of healthcare providers and we’ll get in touch to bring you on board. You may also request our team to get in touch

    References
  • Introducing VideoConsults

    Introducing VideoConsults

    Healthocta’s vision is to fuse together medicine & technology so healthcare providers can deliver better healthcare.

    The US Healthcare system is awesome. Yes, it is! There are few challenges. However, we’re definitely among the better places on earth where you’d want to be receiving healthcare services.

    Some challenges in the US Healthcare industry

    (This is a summary of what we found when we spoke to a bunch of people and made a few searches online…)

    • Access and affordability: Despite having one of the highest per capita healthcare spending, the US still faces high costs of healthcare which is not affordable for a large part of the population.
    • Fragmented delivery system: The US healthcare system is fragmented with a complex network of different insurance providers, leading to higher costs and lower quality of care.
    • Inadequate primary care: There is a shortage of primary care providers in many areas of the country, leading to a higher reliance on more expensive emergency and specialty care services.
    • High administrative costs: The US healthcare system has high administrative costs, resulting in a higher overall cost of healthcare compared to other countries.
    • Lack of transparency: There is a lack of transparency in the healthcare system, making it difficult for patients to make informed decisions about their care and for employers to effectively manage the cost of their employee’s health insurance.
    • Health disparities: There are significant health disparities among different racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups in the US, leading to unequal access to quality care and health outcomes.

    So what can be done about solving these challenges?

    If you boil it down, the primary theme of the issues is centered around high costs, lack of access to care in many areas of the country (think Rural) and lack of access to specialty care (in many places across the country)

    As a health technology company on a mission of TechMed fusion, we came up with a cool new innovative service. We call it VideoConsults by HealthOcta. With VideoConsults, we aim to help improve access to specialty services.

    What is VideoConsults by HealthOcta?

    VideoConsults is a technology enabled service by HealthOcta. This service is used by healthcare institutions such as Hospitals, Emergency Departments, Doctors offices, Freestanding ERs, Nursing facilities and other institutions to get access to and consult healthcare specialists without having to wait hours or days.

    We have created an innovative system that brings together the expertise of medical practitioners in a variety of specialty fields, sophisticated devices for diagnostic and imaging (that can be used by a medical assistant without having to undergo advanced training) and the ubiquitous reach of telemedicine technology to help solve the access and practitioner coverage issues omnipresent in the healthcare industry. What’s better than seeing a demo right here!

    The HealthOcta team is currently focusing on enabling better access in Ophthalmology. The Video Consults platform will soon be expanded to support a variety of specialty services. We’re keen to connect with healthcare providers & practitioners so we can learn from you and add capabilities more speciality service lines.

    Our teams are now actively bringing together specialists to offer their expertise on this platform. Please contact us to learn more.