When TennCare patients in rural areas need to see specialists, they may not have to travel to the state’s cities for their appointments.
Examination of a rash during a telemedicine demonstration
AmeriChoice is one of a handful of managed care organizations that operate TennCare, and the only one to do so statewide. This week, the company announced it’s equipping community clinics with cameras and computers that allow specialists to see patients from hundreds of miles away.
David Hollis is the Chief Medical Officer for AmericChoice in Tennessee. He says so-called “telemedicine” makes treatment easier on patients.
“Rather than have the person that’s ill or having some problems travel, we can have them evaluated in their local community and whatever services can be started there, we start them and we only transport them to a tertiary care center if that’s absolutely necessary.”
The technology does have its limitations. It works well for behavioral health, some sorts of cardiology, and specialities like dermatology that deal primarily with the outside of the body. But for internal problems that need a close look, patients will still need to see a doctor in person.
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