Healthcare Technology Featured Article

July 13, 2010

Healthcare Technology and News: Anthem Blue Cross to Provide Access to Telemedicine to Medi-Cal Members


Anthem Blue Cross announced that it will provide access to telemedicine to Medi-Cal members. Residents in rural areas can benefit from virtual consultation without traveling long distances or waiting for a long time as Anthem has more telemedicine sites available in its network and is equipped with improved technology.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reveals that rural Americans have high poverty rates, have fewer doctors, hospitals and other health resources besides having difficulty accessing health services.
By 2014 healthcare reforms will become effective and about 2.4 million Californians will be eligible for Medi-Cal. Still residents in rural areas who depend on state funded programs will not be included in the health care system.
Official sources added that patients in rural areas will benefit a lot from telemedicine which allows urban specialists to consult with rural patients through the use of computers, cameras and encryption software from remote locations.
“We’ve long understood the needs of providing our Medi-Cal members in rural areas with access to care,” said Kevin Hayden, president of Anthem Blue Cross’ State Sponsored Business.
“We know our members in these areas need access to specialty care and sometimes driving a long distance or taking time off from work just isn’t a viable option,” Hayden added.
Anthem has invested in building its telemedicine program and collaborated with specialists and leading medical centers to offer optimized medical care to the needy. Telemedicine has been leveraged by Anthem in its PPO plans with CalPERS. It allows rural State and local public agency employees to access specialist health care in communities deprived of healthcare.
According to Anthem sources high definition video and powerful digital still cameras provide physicians with better visual quality, without the occurrence of pixilation enabling higher accuracy.
“The fact is, telemedicine will only continue to expand and flourish, as applications like home health, 24/7 health care, and virtual visits are further developed and accepted,” said San Francisco-based Dermatologist Marc Goldyne, MD, PhD, FAAD.  
Dr. Goldyne has been using telemedicine over the past 10 years and has provided access to skin care for more than 2,500 California patients living in remote locations. Distance is not a hindrance any longer but the only requirement is Internet access at primary care provider locations.
Hayden concluded that the growth and increased use of the telemedicine programs are indicative of the expansion in telemedicine capabilities. He pointed out that the collaboration of physicians and hospitals will cater to the needs of Medi-Cal members everyday.

Shamila Janakiraman is a contributing editor for HealthTechZone. To read more of Shamila’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Alice Straight
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