About Telehealth and Telemedicine

What’s the difference between Telehealth and Telemedicine? Telehealth uses electronic information and telecommunication to support and promote long distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health, and health administration. Telemedicine is health care delivered virtually. It’s the interaction between a patient and a clinician via telecommunication to support diagnosis, treatment, or disease prevention. Examples of what services are provided • Video conferencing ◊ Real-time, two-way interaction that supports health care services • “Store and forward” ◊ Digital images, pictures, video, or text that was recorded and stored before being sent • Remote patient monitoring (RPM) ◊ Health and medical data, such as blood glucose or blood pressure. Technologies need different levels of intervention by patient and doctor. Data can be sent as needed or on a predetermined schedule. • Mobile health (mHealth) ◊ Using mobile devices, tablets, or phones to send health care information • Doctor’s appointment using telecommunication • Primary care and specialist teleconsultation • Telediagnosis and treatment plan • Telepsych/behavioral assessment • Follow-up appointment • Medication management • Management of chronic conditions Insurance Coverage COVID-19 legislation has now temporarily mandated coverage in all states. For more information on virtual health care, visit PACER.org/health

National Consortium Of Telehealth Resource Centers

Tools

Planning for a Successful Telehealth Visit

Articles

Just in… Telehealth Tips From Family Organizations (Spanish version available here)

Technology Provides Options for Medical Care from a Distance

Telebehavioral Health: An Effective Alternative to In-Person Care

The Three Ps – Plan, Prepare, Participate – of Telehealth

Tips You May Not Know to Improve Telehealth for Patients and Providers

Videos