A recent study from NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association found that the implementation of telehealth saves hospitals an average of $81,300 a year.

The study, titled “Anticipating Economic Returns of Rural Telehealth,” examines the impact telehealth has on rural healthcare providers. As an association representing over 800 independent, community-based telecommunications companies, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association hoped the study would showcase how telehealth is not only saving money but promoting healthcare to those in rural communities. The study focused on facilities in Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

The following results are the median savings accomplished by the implementation of telehealth:

• Hospital cost savings: $81,300
• MRI: $105,000
• CT scans: $144,000
• Pain medication: $126,000

“The remote delivery of healthcare services and clinical information using telecommunications technology holds potential to improve the quality, cost and availability of health care in rural areas,” according to the report.