Fixing the Most Common Telemedicine Issues in Healthcare

Telemedicine has rapidly become a vital part of modern healthcare, enabling providers to connect with patients from virtually anywhere. Yet despite its growing adoption, many clinics and hospitals continue to face practical and technical challenges that impact care quality, workflow, and overall satisfaction.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common telemedicine issues — and more importantly, how healthcare providers can fix them for smoother, more effective virtual care delivery.

1. Poor Internet Connectivity and Technical Glitches

A frequent complaint from both providers and patients is laggy video, dropped calls, or frozen screens during virtual visits. These interruptions hurt patient-provider communication and can delay diagnosis or treatment.

✅ How to Fix It:

• Use telemedicine platforms that offer adaptive video quality

• Set minimum internet speed requirements (at least 5 Mbps for HD calls)

• Offer patients a troubleshooting checklist before their appointment

Reliable connectivity is a baseline need, especially if you’re using advanced tools like remote monitoring or discussing complex procedures using codes like the 99214 CPT code.

2. Complicated or Unintuitive Software

If your telehealth platform is clunky or hard to navigate, you risk losing both patients and staff productivity. Overly technical systems frustrate users, increase no-show rates, and slow down consultations.

✅ How to Fix It:

• Choose software with a clean, user-friendly interface

• Provide onboarding videos and in-app guides

• Consider platforms built with accessibility features for seniors and non-tech-savvy patients

Partnering with an experienced telemedicine software provider can ensure that your solution is customized for usability across different patient demographics.

3. Security Concerns and HIPAA Compliance

Data privacy is non-negotiable in telemedicine. Healthcare providers are legally obligated to protect sensitive patient data, yet many still use tools that lack full compliance, exposing themselves to serious risks.

✅ How to Fix It:

• Use only HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms

• Implement two-factor authentication and encryption standards

• Train your staff in best practices for telehealth data security

Choosing a secure platform builds trust and ensures long-term viability in a regulated environment.

4. Poor EHR Integration

A common telemedicine roadblock is the lack of seamless EHR integration in healthcare. Without it, providers waste time on manual data entry or risk errors by switching between multiple systems.

✅ How to Fix It:

• Select telemedicine software that integrates natively with your existing EHR/EMR

• Look for API-supported solutions to reduce workflow disruption

• Ensure that patient data syncs in real-time across platforms

Integrated systems not only save time but also improve the accuracy and completeness of patient records.

5. Low Patient Engagement and Digital Literacy

Even the best telemedicine platform won’t succeed if patients can’t or won’t use it. A common issue in virtual care is patients forgetting appointments, struggling to log in, or feeling disconnected from their provider.

✅ How to Fix It:

• Offer pre-appointment tech support or instructional content

• Send automated reminders via SMS and email

• Use platforms with no-login or one-click access options

Improving digital literacy and streamlining access will boost patient satisfaction and retention.

6. Licensing and Reimbursement Barriers

Telemedicine regulations vary by state or country, which creates licensing confusion. Similarly, many providers still struggle with proper coding or unclear reimbursement processes.

✅ How to Fix It:

• Stay updated on telehealth laws in your region

• Work with billing experts to ensure correct code use, like the widely used 99214 CPT code

• Use billing-integrated telehealth solutions that support CPT coding and claim automation

Proper licensing and billing infrastructure are essential to sustainable telehealth delivery.

Conclusion

The benefits of telemedicine are clear — but only when the right problems are addressed with the right solutions. From better connectivity to secure platforms and EHR integration, healthcare providers must take a proactive approach to remove obstacles and enhance the patient experience.

If you're looking for a scalable, HIPAA-compliant, and user-friendly solution, consider working with a trusted telemedicine software provider that understands the unique challenges of your practice.