Telemedicine is now a thing, as the country's largest insurance company has decided that it's just as good as a physical visit.
UnitedHealthcare today is announcing a partnership with three telemedicine companies to cover video-based doctor visits just as it covers in-person visits.
United says it will cover virtual doctor visits offered through NowClinic, Doctor on Demand, and American Well.
Some observers praise the move as another step forward in the ongoing march toward advancing medical technology, while others pan it as an effort to cut costs. It seems reasonable to view it from a middle ground: yes, it may be good for the corporate bottom line - but if you live on a ranch in eastern Oregon, do you really want to drag yourself into your truck and drive to a town to see a doctor?
If I'm a rancher, I'm going with videoconferencing; I'll drag my butt into town only if I absolutely have to. For rural residents, it's likely a net benefit.
