By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    mosquito misting spray to fight malaria
    Avoid Malaria with Mosquito Misting Systems
    June 12, 2023
    Medical Surveys
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    Glutathione
    What Are The Benefits of Glutathione?
    January 22, 2024
    Latest News
    6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
    September 10, 2025
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Tips for Older Travelers
    April 14, 2012
    Anti-RUC Suit Challenges Process for Setting Doc Pay Scales
    October 25, 2011
    Math Matters: Dosing Errors Can Be Deadly
    May 1, 2012
    Latest News
    Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
    September 9, 2025
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Telemedicine Is Expanding But Faces Obstacles
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > Telemedicine Is Expanding But Faces Obstacles
BusinesseHealthHospital AdministrationTechnology

Telemedicine Is Expanding But Faces Obstacles

Linda Ringquist
Linda Ringquist
Share
5 Min Read
history of Telemedicine
SHARE

history of Telemedicine

Contents
  • The History of Telemedicine
  • Telemedicine Basics
  • Barriers to Telemedicine

Summary: As a result of the ACA and the increase in patients while the physician shortage is magnified, efforts are under way to address the lopsidedness of supply and demand. One of those efforts is telemedicine.

history of Telemedicine

Summary: As a result of the ACA and the increase in patients while the physician shortage is magnified, efforts are under way to address the lopsidedness of supply and demand. One of those efforts is telemedicine.

More Read

Physicians Are Your Top Brand Ambassadors!
Neuromarketing Company Gives Back to Science
Create Engaging Content For Your Hospital
Midwifery Training: The Whats and Hows of Birthing Simulators
May the SOMATOM Force Be With You (Siemens Hopes)

The History of Telemedicine

The influx in individuals who are recently eligible for insurance coverage has added fuel to the fire in terms of the number of physicians who can provide care. Telemedicine is expanding in popularity and use as a means to address this issue, while also reducing healthcare costs and increasing both accessibility and affordability. Telemedicine gained exposure initially by being implemented in rural areas, in which access to in particular specialists was extremely sparse. Today the boundaries of telemedicine are almost limitless, extending to physicians actually performing surgeries using remote robotic technology.

Telemedicine Basics

Telemedicine is a means in which a physician and a patient can interact generally through methods of web conferencing, which may include Facetime and Skype as well as other means. A recent survey from the UK’s Department of Health outlines telemedicine can bring about 15% reduction in emergency room visits, 14% reduction in elective admissions, and 14% reductions in bed days.

Barriers to Telemedicine

While telemedicine unquestionably has tremendous benefits or potential benefits, there are a few roadblocks.

  • Reimbursement – CMS has been struggling to determine how proper reimbursement should be applied for telemedicine. Traditional reimbursement was based upon a face-to-face visit. In an effort to mitigate this issue, CMS created 2 new CPT codes, (99495 and 99496) specific to telemedicine, and effective as of January 1, 2014. Both codes reimburse for communication through direct contact, telephone, and electronic within 2 days of discharge. 99495 applies to moderate complexity during the service and is within 14 days of discharge. 99496 applies to high complexity during the service and is within 7 days of discharge.
  • Licensure – Licensure has become a barrier as well. While providing care is done through virtual means, a physician cannot provide telemedicine services in a state in which he/she doesn’t hold a license. Licensure has traditionally been issued on a per state basis. This is not to say that a physician can’t be licensed in more than one state, but that individual application has to be made for each state. Each state has traditionally had at least subtle differences in their application process and requirements. Recently, bills have been proposed to move physician licensure to the federal level, enabling those who are approved, to practice medicine in any state. It remains to be seen as to whether or not this legislation will pass. Current licensure application ranges from $150 to $1290 per application, depending upon the particular state.
  • Other Considerations – A few of other barriers to telemedicine include the type of consent and other forms required from a patient perspective, the type of services a physician may perform and be reimbursed, and the ability to prescribe medications.

Telemedicine is certainly on the rise. The potential benefits and uses are almost limitless. Of course with almost anything, there are barriers to overcome. CMS, other agencies, and branches of legislation are working diligently to ensure the success of telemedicine. It will be an interesting facet to follow over the next couple of years.

What has been your experience, successes, challenges you and your organization have encountered? We would love to hear your thoughts and/or any best practices you may have established.

TAGGED:telemedicine
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

patient satisfaction hospital linked to frequency of nurse rounding
Hospital Administration

Patient Satisfaction – Simple Steps Hospitals Can Take

February 9, 2012

Mayo Clinic, Geisinger, Kaiser Permanente, Intermountain Healthcare, and Group Health Securely Share Patient-Specific Data

April 6, 2011

Cost of Assisted Living May Be Tax Deductible

April 1, 2011

Interview with Jarrod Fath of BrainControl, Winner of the 2013 EU eHealth Competition

July 9, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?