Can I get paid for this?
Although there are many conceivable benefits to telemedicine, such as access to patients who are homebound or live in isolated rural areas, it is hard to imagine setting off down the virtual path without the promise of reimbursement. According to the American Telemedicine Association, 21 states and Washington, D.C., require coverage of telemedicine services with reimbursement at a rate on par with in-person visits, while providers in the others are left wanting. Currently, 120 members of the U.S. Congress support various bills to expand the reach and acceptance of telemedicine, according to the telemedicine association, but it’s clear there is a long way to go before telemedicine receives the full support of insurers. In the meantime, its only financial benefit may be as a marketing advantage for practices. Those who leverage this may be able to draw new business from patients seeking more options in the delivery of their care.
Are you ready?
As with all burgeoning areas of health IT, telemedicine in its early stages appears at best like science fiction and at worst like just another headache. Unlike the other buzzwords of the past few years, adoption of telemedicine seems to be less of a requirement and more of an option. It may or may not work in your practice or for your patient population. Most importantly, though, it represents one point on the continuum of care that will take on an increasingly prominent role in the consumer-driven health care market, and it may represent a boon to both patients and providers alike.
Dr. Notte is a family physician and clinical informaticist for Abington (Pa.) Memorial Hospital. He is a partner in EHR Practice Consultants, a firm that aids physicians in adopting electronic health records. Dr. Skolnik is associate director of the family medicine residency program at Abington Memorial Hospital and professor of family and community medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia.