Researchers reviewed all telemedicine visits at a VA Hospital in White River Junction, Vt., between 2005 and 2013. They determined telemedicine consultations resulted in average travel savings of 145 miles and 142 minutes per visit. In total, that translated to $18,555 dollars saved in travel reimbursement a year.
Additionally, during the study period, the number of telemedicine consultations grew, so by 2013 the travel pay savings reached $63,804, which was approximately 3.5 percent of the total travel pay disbursement.
Researchers concluded that, though modest, telemedicine reduces VA travel payments as well as travel time for patients.
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