How Tap Telehealth helps fight school absenteeism

Proven attendance impact

• 15–20% decrease in medically-related school absences demonstrated by Tap Telehealth implementation, directly preserving school funding and instructional time

• Same-day diagnosis and treatment keeps students in school who would otherwise miss entire days for minor, treatable conditions

• Particularly effective for chronic conditions like asthma, which is one of the leading causes of school absences in Texas

Financial benefits

• Preserves approximately $45 per student per day in attendance-based funding that would otherwise be lost to the school district¹

• Cost-effective implementation with demonstrated positive ROI, with similar programs showing net benefits of nearly $200,000 annually²

• Reduces burden on emergency services by providing appropriate care before conditions escalate to emergency status

Unique advantages of Tap Telehealth

• Integration with school nurses maximizes existing resources rather than replacing them, creating a collaborative care model that respects existing school health infrastructure

• Access regardless of insurance status ensures all students can receive care, unlike many traditional telehealth models that require insurance participation

• No parent transportation needed to access care, eliminating the barrier that prevents many working parents from seeking timely healthcare for their children

Educational outcomes

• Continuity of learning maintained when students receive care without leaving school

• Return-to-class rates of 95% after telehealth consultations compared to just 75% for traditional school nurse visits³

• Reduces parent work disruptions that impact family finances and often lead to extended student absences

Sources:

1. Texas Association of School Boards. (2023). “Attendance drives student success and state funding.”

2. Journal of School Nursing. (2021). “Effectiveness and cost-benefit of an elementary school-based telehealth program.”

3. Journal of School Nursing. (2021). “Effectiveness and cost-benefit of an elementary school-based telehealth program.”