Physicians are recognizing the ability of telemedicine to improve access to care, increase care coordination and quality, and reduce growth in health care spending.

Here are some of the top issues are getting addressed today, so that the potential benefits of telemedicine can be harnessed for physicians and their patients:

Developing a solid evidence base.

The new telemedicine principles call for additional research and the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that should be followed when delivering telemedicine services.

Promoting the patient-physician relationship and care coordination.

To ensure proper diagnoses and follow-up care, the principles specify that a valid patient-physician relationship should exist before using telemedicine or the physician should meet the standard of care for establishing this relationship using appropriate telecommunication technologies.

Ensuring physicians are able to practice in the patient’s state.

New guidance is getting worked out with the Federation of State Medical Boards to advance an interstate compact that would streamline the licensing process, removing administrative and financial barriers to licensure in more than one state and facilitating the responsible practice of telemedicine across state lines. The principles call for physicians to be licensed where the patient receives the services and to follow that state’s medical practice laws.

Identifying technical solutions and requirements.

Telemedicine technology also must facilitate easy information sharing and comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security requirements.

Enabling appropriate reporting, payment and coverage.

Medicaid programs in 46 states and the District of Columbia offer some form of payment for telemedicine services, but the definition and regulation of telemedicine varies considerably. Similarly, coverage by private insurers is quite different from one payer to another. The new telemedicine principles call for additional pilots that can demonstrate which kinds of payment and delivery models work best with this care.

Providing education and tools for physicians.

Educational resources can help physicians safely navigate this emerging field of care delivery, including such weighty concerns as HIPAA compliance and medical liability coverage. Physicians are advised to make sure their liability insurance covers telemedicine services—especially for patients in other states—before engaging in such activity.