Real Time Communication

Real-time communication occurs when the patient is at one site and the provider is at another and they use a webcam and a telephone or computer audio to conduct a clinical visit. In some cases the patient is at a healthcare facility with a provider and they connect to a remote specialist for consultation. In other cases, the patient is at home without a provider on site. Most state laws that require private payers to reimburse for telehealth visits, require use of both audio and video.

Store-and-forward

Store-and-forward is related to the transmission of digital images, as in radiology or dermatology for a diagnosis. This eliminates the need for the provider to meet with the patient in person. It is important to note, however, state laws vary on reimbursement for store-and-forward telehealth.

Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote monitoring (also known as self-monitoring or self-testing) uses a selection of devices to monitor health and clinical signs of a patient remotely. It is used most commonly in the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and cardiovascular disease. It is an approach that increases patient compliance with testing and minimizes costs.