Education & Training

What is Telehealth

Introduction to Telehealth

At the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC), we believe that telehealth is an essential part of delivering high-quality care to all communities—rural, frontier, and urban alike. Our goal is to help providers, patients, and partners understand and use digital tools to improve access, outcomes, and connection.

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) defines telemedicine as “a mode of delivering healthcare services through the use of telecommunications technologies, including but not limited to asynchronous and synchronous technology, and remote patient monitoring technology, by a healthcare practitioner to a patient or a practitioner at a different physical location than the healthcare practitioner.”

The term telehealth is broader, encompassing a wide range of technologies and digital health services that support healthcare at a distance. This includes:

• Virtual visits and videoconferencing
• Remote patient monitoring (vital signs, chronic disease management)
• Patient portals and e-health tools
• Store-and-forward technologies (transmission of medical images or data)
• Electronic Consults
• Continuing medical education and provider consultations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) defines Medicare telehealth services as “ a two-way, real-time interactive communication between a patient and a physician or practitioner at a distant site through telecommunications equipment that includes, at a minimum, audio and visual equipment.” These services continue to evolve as technology and policy advance.

At NRTRC, we’re here to help you navigate these tools, policies, and best practices to strengthen digital health delivery throughout the Northwest.

Benefits of Telehealth

Telehealth delivers real advantages—for patients, providers, hospitals, payers, and entire communities. By connecting people and services through technology, telehealth helps make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and whole patient-centered.

Benefits for Patients

• Convenience and Savings: No need to travel long distances or stay overnight in larger cities for specialty care.
• Care Close to Home: Individuals can receive expert care while remaining in their local community, near family and support networks.
• Safety and Accessibility: Reduces the risks of winter travel and eliminates the need to take full days off work.
• Better Access for Families: Children miss less school, and parents spend less time away from work.
• Improved Health Outcomes: Easier access means patients are less likely to delay or skip needed care.

Benefits for Providers

• Reduced Travel Time: Specialists can provide virtual consultations instead of traveling between facilities (“windshield time”).
• Increased Efficiency: Providers can see more patients and improve practice productivity.
• Expanded Access: Helps alleviate provider and specialty shortages in rural and frontier areas.
• Professional Development: Enables participation in remote continuing education and collaboration opportunities.
• Faster Specialty Support: Improves access to specialist input for primary care and rural providers.

Benefits for Critical Access Hospitals

• Patient Retention: More patients can be cared for locally, increasing hospital revenue.
• Expanded Services: Greater control over offered services and improved community reputation.
• Workforce Development: Staff can access training and meetings virtually, saving time and travel costs.
• Operational Efficiency: Administrators can participate in statewide and regional meetings without leaving their facility.

Benefits for Communities

• Local Economic Growth: Keeping healthcare dollars in the community supports local businesses.
• Improved Quality of Life: Easier access to care makes small communities more attractive to new residents and employers.
• Strengthened Resilience: Communities benefit from improved health outcomes and economic stability.

Benefits for Payers

• Lower Costs: Fewer emergency transports and hospitalizations reduce overall expenses.
• Efficient Care Delivery: Care provided in local facilities often costs less than care in large hospitals.
• Preventive Savings: Earlier treatment can prevent disease progression and reduce long-term costs.