Integrated Telemedicine Program Evaluation

Launched by GEISINGER CLINIC · Jun 25, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is testing a new telemedicine program designed to help people who frequently visit the emergency department (ED) and have both physical health issues and behavioral health concerns. The program offers virtual, on-demand care to see if it can reduce the number of times these patients need to go to the ED. Participants will be randomly placed into two groups: one will have full access to the telemedicine program, and the other will receive the usual care they normally get. The main goal is to see if the telemedicine program can lower ED visits over about four months.

To join, patients need to be adults (18 or older) who have visited a Geisinger emergency department at least four times in the past six months, have Geisinger health insurance, and see a primary care doctor within the Geisinger system. The study is taking place at several Geisinger hospitals. People who are currently receiving inpatient care, have certain severe conditions, or are already working with a behavioral health provider cannot join. If you participate, you’ll either get access to this virtual care program or continue with your usual care, and the researchers will track your ED visits over time to see how well the program works.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Patient presents to the ED and meets the following criteria:
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18+ years old
• • 4+ Geisinger ED visits in the last 6 months
• • Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) insurance member
• • Has a Geisinger PCP
• • Patient is being seen at one of the following facilities: Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Geisinger Medical Center, Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, Geisinger Community Medical Hospital, Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Geisinger Medical Center Muncy, Geisinger Shamokin Ach Hospital, Geisinger South Wilkes Barre
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patient being seen in departments determined ineligible by the study team
• • Patient is diagnosed with alcohol and substance-related disorders
• • Patient is going to receive inpatient care
• • Patient is coded in the ED as Level 1 (i.e., seeking life-saving measures)
• • Patient has an Intellectual Disability or Traumatic Brain Injury
• • Patient is actively seeing a BH provider