Reimbursement for teledermatology in the United States: a review

Abstract

Many individuals do not have adequate access to dermatologic care. Teledermatology stands as a potential method of increasing access to dermatologic care. However, one of the biggest obstacles to the expansion of teledermatology is reimbursement. Policies for reimbursement vary based on the insurer, the state, and even the city. In general, there is a lack of federal funding for teledermatology, but various contained systems—such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Department of Corrections, and academic medical centers – have used teledermatology sustainably. Whereas live-interactive teledermatology can often qualify for federal reimbursement, store-and-forward teledermatology (with some exceptions) typically cannot. Over the past decade, the number of active teledermatology programs has significantly decreased, and reimbursement difficulty is most likely a contributing factor. More uniform policies by organizations like Medicaid and private payers would enable a greater expansion of teledermatology services.