The practice can save patients thousands of dollars in transportation costs
Story by Markian Hawryluk, The Bulletin
Telemedicine has long been touted as a cost-efficient way to provide care to people in rural areas with limited access to health professionals. But an unsung benefit of providing medical advice over a video feed is the tremendous cost-savings achieved by avoiding unnecessary air and ground ambulance rides.
Officials from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland estimate their telemedicine program has saved at least $14 million in transport costs since 2010 by keeping patients at their local hospitals.
