While residents in some areas of Tennessee, such as Nashville, have easy access to just about any type of healthcare required, the state as a whole has a shortage of Primary Care Physicians (PCP). It is for this reason that Tennessee recently passed a law requiring both Medicaid and private health insurance companies to reimburse for telemedicine, just as they would for in-person healthcare visits.
While Nashville, Tennessee is one of the fastest growing healthcare hubs in the nation, there are many rural areas in Tennessee where residents are required to drive hours for even fairly general healthcare needs. This makes telemedicine the easiest way to access healthcare, as described in a comprehensive report from Philly.com.
This new law will also help to strengthen the healthcare industry in many areas of the state. For example, PCPs and physicians in Nashville and in other areas where shortages are not of concern can build their practice by offering their services electronically.
