UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) company, announced it will launch the Connected Care program in Colorado, giving patients in certain rural locations expanded access to physicians and specialists using advanced telehealth technology. The Colorado program is among the first in UnitedHealthcare's work with Cisco (NYSE: CSCO) and others to build a national telehealth network.
The new 'Connected Care' program combines audio and video technology and health resources to greatly expand physicians' reach into rural, urban and other underserved areas.
UnitedHealthcare is partnering with the State of Colorado and Centura Health, with assistance from the Colorado Rural Health Center, to implement the innovative program that leverages advanced technology to give residents access to physicians and medical specialists when in-person visits are not possible.
'This is just another example of where Colorado is leading the nation to a healthier future,' said Gov. Bill Ritter. 'Through innovative technology and impressive collaboration we're solving critical health care challenges and making care affordable and accessible in all parts of Colorado. We're pleased to have it happening in our state and congratulate the partners on the launch of this important project.'
Connected Care sites will be built in several Centura Health facilities as well as federally qualified community health centers in Colorado. The sites will feature sophisticated audio, video and health care technologies that will connect patients with medical specialists located hundreds of miles away, enabling for coordinated care with primary care physicians located in the rural communities. Connected Care uses Cisco's high-definition video conferencing and other collaborative network technologies to create an experience remarkably similar to having the doctor in the same room with the patient.
UnitedHealthcare is working with Centura Health, the Colorado Rural Health Center and the Colorado Community Health Network to identify communities and sites as initial pilot locations for the telehealth clinics. Possible locations include rural health clinics or federally qualified community health centers. The Connected Care sites, which will be installed starting during the first quarter of 2010, are expected to make available nearly 4,800 specialist visits per year in those communities.
The Colorado program initially will target specialties in rural areas that are either not currently available at a local level or only available on a part-time basis. These are likely to include Cardiology, Dermatology, Pulmonology, Diabetes Management and ENT, among others.
'Connected Care helps eliminate distance as an obstacle to accessing needed health care and provides underserved populations with a more convenient way to receive quality care,' said Beth Soberg, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado. 'We are excited to bring the 'house call of the 21st century' to Colorado and to expand upon the state's current health care infrastructure through the use of this innovative technology.'
UnitedHealthcare has a history of supporting Colorado health care programs. The company has this decade provided $7.5 million in grants to support rural health programs statewide, including for health information technology, facility improvements and wellness programs.
'Connected Care provides a real-time solution in rural Colorado, maximizing technology that bridges the distance to clinical knowledge, specialized expertise and quality health services,' said Gary Campbell, president and CEO of Centura Health. 'We believe Connected Care will enhance the rural health infrastructure and unlock new possibilities for how our physicians and medical staff interact with and touch our patients.'
For instance, Connected Care allows patients to simultaneously have group video consultations with multiple physicians who are in different locations. This will eliminate the need for follow-up referral appointments and allow for more collaborative diagnostic exams, likely reducing time and expense for both physicians and patients.
'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 that functions as the State Office of Rural Health. 'For many people in rural areas, seeing a specialist means traveling hundreds of miles, which is especially challenging for the elderly and critically ill. Connected Care will help alleviate that problem.'
More details on the Connected Care program, and its collaboration in Colorado, can be found at www.ConnectedCareAmerica.com. About Centura Health Colorado's largest health care provider, the Centura Health family includes 12 hospitals, seven senior living communities, medical clinics, Flight For Life[R] and home care and hospice services. A nonprofit, faith-based organization, Centura Health is a joint venture organization that was formed in 1996 by Catholic Health Initiatives Colorado and Adventist Health System. Centura Health provides care and comfort to more than half a million people each year and is one of Colorado's largest private employers with nearly 13,000 associates. For more information on Centura Health, visit www.centura.org.
Centura Health hospitals are: Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville; Littleton Adventist Hospital in Littleton; Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker; Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver; Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs; St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver; St. Anthony North Hospital in Westminster; St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco; St. Francis Health Center in Colorado Springs; St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs; St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo; and St. Thomas More Hospital in Canon City. About the Colorado Rural Health Center The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) was established in 1991 as Colorado's State Office of Rural Health. As a 501[c](3) nonprofit corporation, CRHC's serves dual roles as the State Office of Rural Health with the mission of assisting rural communities in addressing healthcare issues; and as the State Rural Health Association, advocating for policy change to ensure that rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare services of the highest quality. The Colorado Rural Health Center has a diverse and inclusive statewide constituency of over 3,500 people and organizations. CRHC collaborates with a variety of partner organizations such as public and private sector corporations, government agencies, foundations, hospitals, and other health facilities. For more information visit www.coruralhealth.org, call 303-832-7493, or call toll free 800-851-6782 from rural Colorado. About UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare (www.unitedhealthcare.com) provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services to individuals, public sector employers and businesses of all sizes, including more than half of the Fortune 100 companies. The company organizes access to quality, affordable health care services on behalf of more than 25 million individual consumers, contracting directly with approximately 590,000 physicians and care professionals and more than 4,900 hospitals to offer them broad, convenient access to services nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.
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Keywords: Technology, Networks, Health, Hospitals, Public Policy and Government, Healthcare Reform, Other Policy I, Data Management, Information Technologies, Network Technologies, Networks, Technology, UnitedHealthcare.
This article was prepared by Computer Technology Journal editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Computer Technology Journal via VerticalNews.com.
