Faraway doctors are helping treat rural American COVID-19 patients all thanks to technology. Vast stretches of rural America lack easy access to advanced medical care.
Rural areas tend to have higher rates of underlying health conditions, their populations often are older and poorer making them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Tele-ICU generally requires physicians working remotely to hold a license in each state where people are hospitalized.
The Trump administration has eased rules on telehealth during the pandemic and expanded reimbursement by Medicare. Shares of telemedicine companies have soared as patients embraced online visits.
South Carolina remains a hot spot for coronavirus infections.