You know it’s the real thing when the insurance companies are backing up the idea with real money. This from the Washington Times, Oct 4,2009:

“United Health Group and Cisco Systems, a technology firm, recently announced a partnership operation of what they call “the first national telehealth network,” expected eventually to connect 600,000 physicians and 5,000 hospitals nationwide. As part of the effort, an 18-wheel mobile van equipped with the latest in videoconferencing equipment and suitable clinical tools is scheduled to undertake several pilot projects.

First up is a visit to rural New Mexico this summer, in conjunction with Project HOPE, to tackle diabetes and other chronic diseases. The van also helped with back-to-school immunizations in Baltimore in early September.”

“It’s the first time a private payer has really come out in a big way and endorsed telemedicine. … The insurers are starting to say yes,” notes Jonathan Linkhouse, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association. “Telemedicine doesn’t have to be high tech. There is a huge benefit in terms of keeping people out of hospitals.”