People living in certain geographic areas in the United States lack access to primary and specialty health care. These are mostly people living in rural areas where patients have no timely access to doctors, nurses, or other medical professionals. Nearly 59 million Americans nationally and 1.2 million Washingtonians live in areas with a shortage of access to local primary care. (here)

Telemedicine, defined as “the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunication technology,” is gaining popularity and offers a practical solution for lack of health care services in rural areas. Telemedicine allows patients to remain in their own town, or even their own home, and receive direct care from a distant provider.

 Over half of all hospitals nationally, as well as half in Washington state, use telemedicine. Many outpatient clinics in Washington state have telemedicine capabilities.

The Washington State Legislature passed a series of bills from 2015 to 2017 that define who can use telemedicine, where the patient must physically be to receive the consultation, and what the reimbursement is for the provider. The legislature also established a “Collaborative” where participating institutions could share information and results of the effectiveness of telemedicine practices.

One of the main problems with telemedicine has been the licensure of doctors who provide services across state lines. In May 2017, Washington state officials signed on to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact which allows for state licensure applications to be expedited for out-of-state doctors. To date, 22 states have joined the Compact. However, the state where the patient resides retains oversight of the doctor-patient relationship.

The Washington state legislature is currently considering three bills that set further guidelines for the use of telemedicine in the state. SB 5385 would require payments to providers of health care via telemedicine be the same as reimbursements if the patient was seen in person. (here) SB 5386 would set certain training standards for providers that use telemedicine. (here) SB 5387 would establish credentialing standards for providers that use telemedicine. (here)

Access to providers is the most important part of our health care system. Receiving timely care is critical to society having a healthy population. It gives patients choices in the type of care they obtain and it gives providers more options in how to treat sick individuals. Telemedicine has the ability to increase access to affordable and convenient health care for millions of patients, especially those living in rural areas.

Telemedicine can also reduce the cost of providing health care. A visit electronically is much cheaper than a trip to the emergency room. Diagnosing minor health problems using telemedicine is much safer and less expensive than waiting for the patient’s clinical condition to become severe. 5

Extending the use of telemedicine is a practical solution to ever-increasing health care costs and to limited health care access for millions of Americans in rural areas. Early reports show that patient and physician satisfaction is high with telemedicine.

The three bills the Washington legislators are now considering would provide more structure for telemedicine in the state, while protecting patient rights.