Ohio Telehealth Summit Brings Policymakers and Healthcare Experts Together to Explore Benefits of Telemedicine

Live demonstrations of the Ohio-born HealthSpot Station highlight daylong open house

Ohio Telehealth Summit Brings Policymakers and Healthcare Experts Together to Explore Benefits of Telemedicine

Caster Communications, Inc.Kimberly Lancaster, 401-792-7080orKelly Ahern, 401-792-7080

Ohio lawmakers and the general public can experience firsthand how recent advances in telemedicine provide cost-effective, high quality healthcare services to Ohio residents at the an open house on June 19 in the Capitol Atrium at the Ohio Statehouse.

Sponsored by , the event brings together healthcare and industry experts to identify the barriers to telehealth adoption, discuss relevant regulations and rules, and demonstrate how solutions like the HealthSpot Station™, developed by Ohio company HealthSpot, increase access to care and provide high quality visits with board-certified health professionals, while decreasing overall costs.

Rep. Wachtmann is sponsoring House Bill 123, which would extend insurance reimbursement for telehealth visits in Ohio. The bill includes reimbursement for Medicare as well as private insurers. If passed, the bill will remove uncertainty over reimbursement for doctors and health systems, simplify the rules for payers, and expand access for patients.

“Ohio is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in cutting-edge healthcare technology,” said Andrew Hertz, MD, University Hospitals Medical Director for Rainbow Care Connection. “Telehealth has helped us improve the quality of outpatient care for our patients, increased their access to physicians, and cut down on unnecessary emergency visits.”

Hertz, who has delivered pediatric healthcare via the HealthSpot Station over the past several months, is one of several industry experts speaking at the event. Other speakers include:

Participants are invited to network with legislators and attendees to discuss policy issues that relate to modernizing healthcare delivery in Ohio. Additionally, HealthSpot will be offering demonstrations of the , an 8- by 5-foot enclosed telehealth kiosk that leverages high-definition videoconferencing and integrated medical devices that stream real-time diagnostics to providers who may be located miles away, creating a high quality “virtual visit.” Each station is supported by an accredited medical assistant who can help the patient as needed.

For downloadable images go to