Region & Services
Our Region
The SETRC provides an applied approach to the telehealth education and technical assistance services to rural health care providers, facilities, and organizations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and the U.S. territories of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in order to streamline implementation and better utilize telehealth applications and technology in the region. The SETRC will be a resource to promote early adoption of telehealth technology for those just beginning their telehealth program development as well as well developed programs looking to add new telehealth-related services.
Program Planning & Development
- Needs Assessment
- Grants Development
- Infrastructure and End-Points Systems Design
- Developing Program Partnerships
- Developing Organizational Plans
- Integration With the Existing Structure
- Developing Program Policies and Guidelines
- Development of Evaluation Tools to Measure Performance and Outcomes
Work Groups
A representative from the SETRC can meet with the Telemedicine Liaison, Program Administrator, and/or Medical, Nursing Directors, and Clinical Education Directors to gather the necessary information to advise regarding the installation of a site’s telemedicine system, or program. Typical information gathered includes the room dimensions, clinical support needs, telecommunications needs, lighting, as well as electrical requirements necessary for determining an appropriate system and program planning list.
Site Visits
A representative from the SETRC can meet with the Telemedicine Liaison, Program Administrator, and/or Medical, Nursing Directors, and Clinical Education Directors to gather the necessary information to advise regarding the installation of a site’s telemedicine system, or program. Typical information gathered includes the room dimensions, clinical support needs, telecommunications needs, lighting, as well as electrical requirements necessary for determining an appropriate system and program planning list.
Reimbursement
Georgia remains the only state in our region to mandate reimbursement for telemedicine. Legislation was passed in 2005 that on or after July 1, 2005, every health benefit policy that is issued, amended or renewed shall include payment for services that are covered under such health benefit policy and are appropriately provided through telemedicine in accordance with Code Section 43-34- 31.1. In 20014, 360-3-.07 Practice Through Electronic or Other Such Means, was adopted. The rule, similar to the original version, offers some additional guidance on telemedicine practice in Georgia, while imposing certain restrictions on telemedicine and telehealth in the State. Most notably, establishing a default requirement of an in-person examination prior to a telemedicine encounter.
SETRC will work with TeleHealth initiatives in other states in its proposed catchment area (Florida, South Carolina) to help facilitate similar legislation for the reimbursement of telemedicine consultations.
