Telehealth in Minnesota:
At a Crossroads
Telehealth in Minnesota: At a
Crossroads
CURRENT APPLICATIONS
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Specialty consultation
Direct patient care
Training and education
Meetings
Telehealth in Minnesota: At a
Crossroads
Examples of Current Applications
• Emergency
• Mental health
consults
• Home telehealth
• Cardiology
• Teledermatology
• e-ICU care
• Teleradiology
• Long term care
• Telepharmacy
Why it’s so important for rural
• Long distances
• Health workforce challenges
• Practitioner support
• Cost savings
• Patients and families can stay in the
community or home
Some past challenges
• Equipment and user costs
• Broadband network availability or conflict
• Security
• Reimbursements
• Quality and clinical compromises
• Technical support
The Drivers
• Broadband infrastructure expansion
• Electronic medical records expansion
• Reimbursements improving: payers see
the savings
• Universal Service Fund assistance
• Government and foundation funding
Today’s Panelists
• Stuart Speedie: University of Minnesota
Medical School
• Sandra Schmunk – VA Medical Center
• John Scanlan, MD. – Blue Cross Blue
Shield
• Denise Kolb – MN Dept of Human Services
• Maureen Ideker – Tri-County Hospital,
Wadena