Comments on: Medicare at a Distance http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-at-a-distance/ Health Care Policy and Reform Insights | NCPA Thu, 24 May 2012 20:46:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: John R. Graham http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-at-a-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-47552 John R. Graham Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:24:54 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6181#comment-47552 Well, it's a compelling story, but I think the reporter could have dug deeper into the hospitals' claims that they don't charge for the service: Nationwide got its funding from the federal government. Health Information Technology (HIT) funding is an opaque morass and I hate to see promising technology become just another earmark. And, while we're at it, why should CIGNA or any insurer pay for video-conferencing as an explicit service? Dr. Goodman and Dr. Herrick emphasize entrepreneurs bundling and re-packaging services. The insurer should pay to treat the diagnosed illness, and providers should figure out the technology required. Well, it’s a compelling story, but I think the reporter could have dug deeper into the hospitals’ claims that they don’t charge for the service: Nationwide got its funding from the federal government. Health Information Technology (HIT) funding is an opaque morass and I hate to see promising technology become just another earmark. And, while we’re at it, why should CIGNA or any insurer pay for video-conferencing as an explicit service? Dr. Goodman and Dr. Herrick emphasize entrepreneurs bundling and re-packaging services. The insurer should pay to treat the diagnosed illness, and providers should figure out the technology required.

]]> By: hoads http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-at-a-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-47435 hoads Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:07:31 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6181#comment-47435 This technology has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare but, no such chance with Obamacare---it's goal is to reduce access to specialists. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare but, no such chance with Obamacare—it’s goal is to reduce access to specialists.

]]> By: Linda Gorman http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-at-a-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-47415 Linda Gorman Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:59:29 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6181#comment-47415 They've also been using this kind of telemedicine for other kinds of treatment in remote sections of the West--one Utah car crash case comes to mind. The US medical system is far more innovative than the US government and rent seeking policy types would have us believe. They’ve also been using this kind of telemedicine for other kinds of treatment in remote sections of the West–one Utah car crash case comes to mind.

The US medical system is far more innovative than the US government and rent seeking policy types would have us believe.

]]> By: Brian W. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-at-a-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-47407 Brian W. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:54:36 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6181#comment-47407 This type of distance medicine has real potential for rural communities and developing countries. The U.S. military has been doing this sort of thing for years. Within minutes, the severity of a battlefield wound can be ascertained and medical specialists can perform life-saving treatments. In some cases, they can even do limited types of remote surgery using 3-D cameras and other tools. Cool stuff. This type of distance medicine has real potential for rural communities and developing countries.

The U.S. military has been doing this sort of thing for years. Within minutes, the severity of a battlefield wound can be ascertained and medical specialists can perform life-saving treatments. In some cases, they can even do limited types of remote surgery using 3-D cameras and other tools.

Cool stuff.

]]> By: Ken http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-at-a-distance/comment-page-1/#comment-47405 Ken Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:51:28 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=6181#comment-47405 This kind of technology has the capacity to really open up the medical tourism market without patients having to travel. Once you can be treated at a distance, you effectively will be able to shop for care all over the world. This kind of technology has the capacity to really open up the medical tourism market without patients having to travel. Once you can be treated at a distance, you effectively will be able to shop for care all over the world.

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