Telemedicine Saves Millions of Dollars for Arizona

Cost savings for Arizona by the state’s telemedicine programs are occurring in many ways. The cost of transporting prisoners to distant clinics has saved over a million dollars while increasing public safety. Expensive medical air transports of Native Americans have been drastically reduced. Between July and December, 2003 RBHAnet saved about $106,000 by reducing travel time of its psychiatrists. Travel for continuing edu­cation of professionals is reduced. The Federal Government has offset telecommunications costs for health care in Arizona totaling $2,600,000.