ABSTRACT
Introduction Although the concepts of telemedicine and e-health have been around for many years, it has only been in the past several decades that it has become an option for rural health. Each year the capability increases and the costs continue to decline. In rural communities throughout the US, equipment and telecommunication links are increasingly affordable. However, along with the decreasing cost, the funding for new programs is also decreasing. State budgets have never been tighter, and Federal grant programs are more and more competitive, one reason why growth in rural areas has been slow. Nevertheless, grant funding and federal assistance that is available helps communities afford to initiate telemedicine programs (https://telehealth.hrsa.gov/grants/funds.htm). In addition, with changes in Medicare reimbursement structures, telemedicine is being reimbursed more today than perhaps only five years ago, making it worth the investment in time and effort to attempt to obtain funding.
