Nurses Patricia Wegener (left) and Susan Davis at Mercy Hospital can monitor the condition of a patient who is miles away via the hospital's technology. But some health insurers and analysts remain skeptical that telemedicine saves money. Alex Smith/KCUR hide caption
Diagnosis by text or a phone call is often convenient and popular with patients. But is it good medicine? Apriori/iStockphoto hide caption
UnitedHealthcare says it will cover doctors' visits by live video on smartphones, tablets and computers. Doctor On Demand hide caption
Go Big Green! Dartmouth is testing the VGo robot to help diagnose concussions when neurologists aren't at the game. Mark Washburn/Courtesy of Dartmouth-Hitchcock hide caption
Most people can't talk with their doctors online, because of regulatory and funding issues. iStockphoto.com hide caption
Therapy by telephone can work about as well as the in-person variety. iStockphoto.com hide caption