What is Telehealth?
TeleHealth is changing the way we think about health and provide healthcare. It supports innovations in health, as well as in healthcare delivery, health education, and distribution of health related information such as medical records. TeleHealth is adding value.
Georgia Partnership for Telehealth
Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth has become one of the most robust, comprehensive networks in the nation. We have seen expansion to include nursing homes, school clinics, jails, clinics, ER’s, trauma, stroke, primary care, child advocacy, and continuing education. Legislation was passed to mandate that all payers must pay for telemedicine. The network now has over 350 partners and locations. We have seen clinical utilization climb exponentially. While January, 2006 we had a mere 8 encounters, we had over 25,000 encounters for 2010 and is expected to double in 2011. We now have over 175 specialists and healthcare providers, representing over 40 specialties, participating in the network. Providing access to healthcare via telemedicine has proven to cut costs on travel, work time and provides earlier access to care therefore preventing the large costs of untreated healthcare problems. The Georgia Telemedicine Program is proven. There is a widespread acceptance of its use in Georgia.
