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Telemedicine: What’s All the Buzz?

By U.S. News & World Report

You’ve probably heard the term “telemedicine.” You may be wondering what it really is, and what it means to you and your health care. Is it going to replace your relationship with your physician? Is it something you should be nervous about or embrace? Let’s explore telemedicine and see if we can answer these questions.

What is telemedicine? A new position paper from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology defines it as “the use of technology to deliver health care, health information or health education at a distance.” It allows health care providers the opportunity to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients without the need for an in-person visit. You may be thinking, “I can call my physician on the phone if I’m having a problem or need a prescription refilled, so is that ‘telemedicine’?” In simple terms, no. To be considered a true telemedicine visit, there needs to be interactivity. It requires contact with your health care provider as if you were there in person, seeing and hearing them — and them seeing and hearing you. Thanks to the development of more mobile health applications and medical devices, telemedicine can bring the medical office to you.

[See: 5 Rare Diseases You’ve Never Heard of Until Now.]

Originally, telemedicine was used to treat patients in remote areas, far from any health facilities, or in areas with health care provider shortages. Today, telemedicine is increasingly becoming a tool for convenient medical care. So why would you want a telemedicine visit with your health care provider, when you could go see them locally and get that personal touch? In many cases, it does make more sense to have an in-person visit. But there are times when a telemedicine visit may be more appropriate.

With today’s busy lifestyles, you may not want to waste time in the waiting room at the doctor’s office when you can have a telemedicine visit from your home or workplace. Telemedicine may also be a better option for you to get immediate care when you need it for minor conditions such as pink eye and urinary tract infections.

What are some of the other advantages of telemedicine? It can lead to better quality care with more health care provider interaction. There can be more frequent follow-ups to manage chronic conditions. It may also be a quicker way to get a second opinion on a medical diagnosis. Generally, telemedicine encounters are less costly than in-person visits, which could save you money.

[See: 9 Ways to Boost Your Immune System.]

Telemedicine must be done securely and safely to follow HIPAA rules — in the same way an office visit must protect your privacy.

Surveys on patient satisfaction with telemedicine visits get high marks. But there are downsides to telemedicine you should know about. Not all procedures you may need can be done remotely, and often that personal touch can’t be replaced.

Along with primary care physicians, many specialists are now embracing telemedicine. We are seeing an increasing number of dermatologists, radiologists and psychiatrists performing telemedicine visits and consultations. Allergy is one of the top conditions for which patients seek telemedicine visits for care. Many allergists now do initial visits by telemedicine and determine if in-office testing is required. For certain types of follow-up visits to an allergist, such as a check-up on how a medication or allergen immunotherapy is doing, telemedicine can save you time and money. By finding a board-certified allergist practicing telemedicine, you can now more easily and quickly get relief from your allergy misery.

[See: 11 Strategies for Keeping Your Health Data Secure.]

For more information about allergies, visit the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology website, and find an allergist near you with the ACAAI Allergist Locator.

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Telemedicine: What’s All the Buzz? originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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