I believe the extraordinary technology offered by telesurgery has the potential to increase access to out-of-network specialists, thereby reducing the surgical limitations faced in specific regions. Many years ago, I had to seek out-of-network care from surgeons at Stanford Hospital who had mastered the skills and techniques for a particular laparoscopic surgery. This procedure was performed on an outpatient basis, compared to the alternative—surgery under general anesthesia with an eight-week recovery period.

At the time, I presented a business case to my healthcare provider in an effort to secure coverage for this significantly less expensive procedure. The benefits were clear: I would undergo the laparoscopic surgery on a Thursday and be back at work by the following Monday, offering financial savings to my healthcare provider and improved productivity for my employer. Despite these advantages, my request was denied, and we had to pay out of pocket for the surgery at Stanford.

Unfortunately, even 20 years later, this kind of win-win proposition would likely still be rejected. Similar hurdles may exist for telesurgery. It’s disappointing to see how much progress is still needed to fully leverage advancements like telesurgery for the benefit of patients, providers, and employers alike.

https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/telesurgery-could-bridge-health-gap-7097322