Billy Long: Telehealth services offer numerous benefits

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

A large portion of Americans live beyond the reach of their nearest medical provider. It’s a reality that makes common ailments such as ear infections and strep throat a challenge to treat. One solution to this problem is called telehealth – a multidimensional set of health care services delivered through a range of telecommunications technologies. Though a fairly new concept, telehealth is making a significant impact in rural communities across the country, especially in Missouri.

In 2016, there were 1.2 million virtual doctor visits in the U.S. In the same year, 72 percent of hospitals and 52 percent of physician groups provided some type of telehealth service. This service is helping close the health care gap between rural and urban communities. Telehealth provides remote access to medical services for patients in rural communities who would otherwise have to travel long distances to receive care. In rural communities, this is a big benefit to citizens.

A recent 2017 report shows that 50 percent of rural hospitals in Missouri use telehealth services. Of these hospitals, 80 percent said that it helps retain patients. Almost half of the counties in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District don’t have hospitals: Christian, Stone, Webster and McDonald. This lack of access increases the pressure on primary care physicians and increases the use of telehealth services by hospitals outside these counties to reach their patients.

But telehealth’s applications extend further than traditional health care facilities. Last May I wrote about the pilot program at the Monett School District made possible by the Missouri Foundation for Health. The goal of this program is to decrease chronic absenteeism. The program also assists parents who can now avoid taking a day off work due to a child’s illness. In the first quarter alone more than 60 telemedicine visits took place with 45 percent of those visits resulting in students being treated in school. All visits are at no cost to the student, regardless of insurance.

Monett isn’t the only school district benefiting from this program. Several school districts in the southwest Missouri area are participating in this program, including Reeds Spring, Forsyth, Mountain Grove, Cassville and Ozark. Each school is a great illustration of the wide-ranging benefits. For example, in Cassville parents not only save time and money, but have the option to utilize the program themselves at a reduced cost. Due to the increased need for health care in the area, the program was expanded to cover students of all ages, and not just elementary students.

There are numerous benefits of telehealth services. Programs like the six schools in southwest Missouri are perfect examples of this. As the use of telehealth services continues to grow, there is still more work to be done, such as expanding rural broadband to help increase access to better technologies in rural communities. Your zip code shouldn’t determine the type of health care you receive.