How telehealth can improve access and costs for urgent care among low-income individuals
Official title: The role of telehealth in improving access to and costs of unscheduled care among lower-income individuals
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10932315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using telehealth, or virtual doctor visits, can help lower-income people, especially those on Medicaid, get urgent care more easily and affordably, while also figuring out if it can reduce their need for emergency room visits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $394,577 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS029340-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are lower-income individuals, particularly those enrolled in Medicaid, who may struggle with accessing urgent care services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with higher incomes or those who already have reliable access to urgent care services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of telehealth on access to and costs of urgent care for lower-income individuals, particularly those enrolled in Medicaid. It examines how virtual immediate care, which gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, can either enhance or hinder healthcare access for marginalized groups. The study will analyze various telehealth models to understand their effectiveness in reducing reliance on emergency departments and the overall costs of care. By focusing on the unique challenges faced by low-income patients, the research aims to provide insights into optimizing telehealth services for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to urgent care and reduced healthcare costs for low-income individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that telehealth can improve access to care, but this study aims to explore its specific effects on lower-income populations, making it a novel investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Lindsay — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Allen, Lindsay
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.