Experts say the telemedicine technology has
advanced and spread quickly in a matter of weeks
amid Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-home, stay-
safe executive order, the Detroit News reported.
The Clarkston Medical Group has been
providing limited telemedicine services since
2018 through eVisit, a virtual office visit platform
that can be accessed through an iPhone or
personal computer.
The number of virtual visits has spiked from a
range of 250 to 350 monthly to 1,000 in one
recent week, according to Dr. Renny Abraham,
managing partner of the group.
“It isn’t a complete physical, but we can go over
labs, we do medication refills, we try to keep
seniors at home,” Abraham said. “It’s amazing
how many people are able to use the platform.”
The Michigan Health Information Network,
which provides a secure exchange of medical
information between Michigan health care
providers, had about 600 providers connected
a few weeks ago, but that’s expected to rise
into thousands within days, said Tim Pletcher,
executive director of the Michigan network.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care
Network, the state’s largest insurer, is offering
telehealth to people with existing telehealth
benefits nationally through at least June 30
for no cost. The services include common
behavioral health therapy and hospitalization
follow-ups.
“We know that people may have trouble
getting into their doctors offices right now,” said
Janet Fava, vice president of market solutions
development and delivery for the insurer.