Payment and Other Legal Obstacles Slow Telemedicine Growth

March 2004  | Jones JW, Esq.

Managed Healthcare Executive

Over the past few years, telemedicine has made significant strides in the provider community and among consumers. This developing area, sometimes referred to as "telehealth services," includes professional consultations, office and other outpatient visits, psychotherapy, pharmacologic management and other services conducted via an interactive telecommunications system.

The benefits of telemedicine range from the ability to monitor a patient's progress remotely to providing high quality of care to a large geographic segment of patients.

Recognizing these benefits, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) issued its first official accreditation in the telehealth field last year.

Telemedicine's growth, however successful, has been slowed by payment and other legal concerns. Limits on services that qualify for insurance coverage, state licensure laws, potential malpractice liability, and privacy and security concerns are just a few of the issues impacting telemedicine's growth.

Full report is available here.