Driven by faster internet connections, ubiquitous smartphones and changing insurance standards, more health providers are turning to electronic communications to do their jobs—and it’s upending the delivery of health care. And there’s the question of what services physicians should be paid for: Insurance coverage varies from health plan to health plan, and a big federal plans covers only a narrow range of services. Telemedicine also allows for better care in places where medical expertise is hard to come by. The exact definition varies from state to state, and state medical boards generally don’t investigate unless a patient files a formal complaint. But some critics question whether the quality of care is keeping up with the rapid expansion of telemedicine.

Source: Wall Street Journal June 27, 2016 02:03 UTC