Such Web- or telephone-based visits allow patients to consult with their primary care physicians without incurring high healthcare costs. Some virtual consultations can cost as low as $10. Through virtual/video messaging or phone conversations, physicians can diagnose and suggest treatment to patients — all without needing to leave home or work. This particular trend in telemedicine is being more widely adopted by insurers, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Cigna.
Although proponents tout the practice as low-cost and time-efficient, opponents argue Web- or telephone-based consultations should only be limited to patients who already established relationships with their primary care physicians. The concerns are supported by regulation established by many state medical boards, which prohibit physicians from practicing telemedicine, particularly interstate care, unless a prior physician-patient relationship was established.
Despite the push-back by opponents, some medical boards are loosening their restrictions on telemedicine, particularly in rural areas such as Tennessee, Nevada and New Mexico.
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