Reaching the remote: Telemedicine gains ground

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is making changes to promote telemedicine.

In June, the agency proposed new policies that would make it easier for hospital officials to credential physicians who provide telemedicine services at their facilities. And in January 2011, CMS will expand Medicaid coverage for remote services, including disease management training for patients with diabetes or kidney disease. Reliance on providing care from afar will increase due to expected shortages of physicians. By 2020, the nation may be an estimated 91,500 physicians short due to expansion of coverage to more than 30 million uninsured Americans and increased demand from an aging population. Without enough doctors to deliver care, many rural health facilities increasingly will be staffed by nonphysicians, such as advanced practice nurses. And because nonphysicians lack a broad medical education, they will need the support of specialists via telemedicine.