VNS Health MLTC: Telehealth

Telehealth (sometimes referred to as Telemedicine and Virtual Health) is the use of electronic information and communication technologies to deliver or support clinical health care, health supportive services, patient and professional health-related education, public health activities, and health care administration at a distance.

Telehealth is not a specific technology; however, standard telephone contacts and facsimile transmissions do not constitute telehealth. Telehealth must be characterized by at least one of the following applications:

• Live video (synchronous): Live, two-way interaction between a person (patient, caregiver, or provider) and a provider using audiovisual telecommunications technology.

• Store-and-forward (asynchronous): Transmission of recorded health history (for example, pre-recorded video, digital images, x-rays and photos, and EKG and spirometry readings), through a secure electronic communications system, for medical evaluation, diagnosis, and/or treatment outside of a real-time or live interaction.

• Remote patient monitoring (RPM): Personal health and medical data collection from an individual in one location that is transmitted or streamed via electronic communication technologies to a provider (sometimes via a data processing service) in a different location for use in care and related support.

• Mobile health (mHealth): The delivery or support of clinical health care, health supportive services, and patient and public health education using mobile devices such as, but not limited to, cell phones, tablet computers, smart watches, or fitness trackers.

For questions about what constitutes telehealth, or for assistance in coordinating telehealth services, contact the Care Manager.