DENVER—Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter says a new audio and video health care program will provide health care to rural communities that lack doctors and hospitals.
The national Connected Care Telehealth Network introduced Monday involves establishing Connected Care telehealth clinics in several existing rural health centers.
Under the program, clinics will feature sophisticated audio, video and other technologies to connect patients with medical specialists hundreds of miles away.
Ritter said many Colorado communities are underserved by the health care system and 14 counties have no hospitals.
“This is a way to deliver health care to rural Colorado communities where there are no doctors,” Ritter said.
UnitedHealthcare is partnering with the state’s rural health program and Centura Health, with assistance from the Colorado Rural Health Center, to allow physicians using computers and electronic medical equipment to diagnose and treat patients from hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Beth Soberg, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare of Colorado, called it “the house call of the 21st century” and said it will allow specialists in cardiology, dermatology, lung problems and diabetes.
The program sets up a test project in four communities that have yet to be identified that will treat 4,800 people a year.
“The goal of this program is to augment the communities’ existing health care systems and provide more convenient access to people who need health care services,” said Lou Ann Wilroy, executive director of the Colorado Rural Health Center, a nonprofit organization that runs the state Office of Rural Health.
Wilroy said Colorado has had telemedicine programs for years, including the North Colorado Medical Center’s dermatology and psychology program and a program at Swedish Medical Center working with eight rural hospitals to treat strokes.
She said the new telehealth program combines treatment with education and research.
