Advancing Healthcare in Eastern Oregon Since 2007
Access to quality health care is essential for the well-being of our Eastern Oregon community. At Grande Ronde Hospital, we are committed to bringing the best healthcare services close to home. Since 2007, our award-winning Telemedicine program has been at the forefront of advancing rural health care. Through this nationally recognized program, we’ve provided medical consultations, specialty care, and educational resources, ensuring patients in our region receive the expert care they deserve.
Today, we are building on that foundation with a comprehensive Telehealth system that delivers innovative solutions for your healthcare needs—right here at home.
What Are Telehealth and Telemedicine?
Reviewed 8/22/2025
TELEHEALTH
TRUE OR FALSE?
Telehealth allows you to visit with a doctor from the comfort of your own home. You might be surprised by the variety of care you can get through telehealth. Take this quiz to learn more.
START THE QUIZ
True or false? Telehealth, telemedicine and telecare always mean the same thing.
False. All of these terms are related—and they're often used interchangeably. But some doctors, healthcare organizations and insurance providers may have different definitions for each term. For example, some may use telemedicine to refer to services provided by doctors and telehealth to describe visits with other healthcare providers, such as nurses, social workers or pharmacists. In this quiz, we're using telehealth to refer to any type of virtual healthcare visit.
True or false? You need a smartphone to be able to have a telehealth visit.
False. You can have a telehealth visit using your tablet or computer. You can also visit with just a phone call, although you'll be missing the video component of a telehealth visit.
True or false? Most insurance covers telehealth visits.
True. Most insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover telehealth visits just like regular office visits. Check with your insurance company to find out what they do and don't pay for.
True or false? Telehealth expands your access to specialists.
True. You may be able to visit with specialists outside of your area much more easily with telehealth. This is especially true if you live far from a major metropolitan area.
True or false? Telehealth isn't always your best option.
True. There are still times when it's best to be seen in person. For example, you may need a physical exam. Or you may need an x-ray or other diagnostic tests.
Think you're ready to schedule a telehealth visit? There are steps you can take to prepare for a successful appointment.
PREPARE FOR A SUCCESSFUL APPOINTMENT
Sources
- FamilyDoctor.org. "Telemedicine." https://familydoctor.org/telemedicine/?adfree=true.
- Federal Communications Commission. "Telehealth, Telemedicine, and Telecare: What's What?" https://www.fcc.gov/general/telehealth-telemedicine-and-telecare-whats-what.
- HealthyChildren.org. "Can Telehealth 'Video Visits' Be a Good Option for My Child? How Do They Work?" https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Can-video-visits-be-good-for-my-child.aspx.
- HealthyChildren.org. "Telehealth Services Start With Your Pediatrician." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/Pages/Telehealth-Services-for-Children.aspx.
- National Council on Aging. "Getting the Care You Need via Telemedicine." https://www.ncoa.org/article/getting-the-care-you-need-via-telemedicine.
- Telehealth.HHS.gov. "Finding Telehealth Options." https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/finding-telehealth-options.
- Telehealth.HHS.gov. "What Is Telehealth?" https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/understanding-telehealth.
Telehealth uses electronic information and communication technologies to enhance access to health care from a distance. It encompasses:
- Telemedicine: Direct clinical care, such as consultations and follow-ups, delivered through video conferencing or other technologies.
- Patient Education: Interactive tools and resources to empower you in managing your health.
- Professional Collaboration: Remote communication for care coordination and provider training.
With technologies like secure video conferencing, streaming media, and wireless communication, Telehealth bridges the gap between you and top-tier care.
Outpatient Services
Our Telehealth services have transformed outpatient care, offering greater convenience and accessibility for medical consultations, follow-ups, and specialty care. This innovation allows you to receive personalized, expert treatment without the need for extensive travel.
Walla Walla clinic, Walla Walla Washington
Emily Castillo, NP with the Walla Walla Clinic, sees patients every Thursday morning at the Regional Medical Clinic. She sees diabetic patients 18 and older including those on insulin pumps. Emily Castillo will see patients for their first appointment in Walla Walla, Washington.
Physician Referrals: Fax: (509) 522-1581 at Walla Walla Clinic
St. Alphonsus, Boise Idaho
Providers offer care for Neurology and Stroke.
OHSU, Portland, Oregon
Wayne Clark, MD of the OHSU Stroke Center, sees patients as needed at the Regional Medical Clinic for post-stroke care and recovery. Typically these patients were treated for their acute stroke event at OHSU and then enrolled in their research trials.
If you, or someone with you, may be having a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Inpatient and Emergency Services
Specialty expertise, right here when you need it. Our Telehealth program brings advanced specialty care to Eastern Oregon, providing access to expertise typically found in larger cities. If you visit our emergency department or are admitted to our hospital, our local medical team may collaborate with the specialists listed below to ensure you receive the best possible care.
Equum Medical, New York, NY
Our tele-hospitalist group provides nightly call coverage along with 24/7 support services for our Hospitalists. Their expertise combined with the use of our In-Touch robot technology helps make our Hospitalist program superior.
Equum Medical, New Your, NY
This service provides around-the-clock access to a team of board-certified Intensivists who assist our Hospitalists in caring for our ICU patients. Offsite Care uses In-Touch robot technology to provide the highest level of care recommended for hospitals today.
St. Alphonsus, Boise, Idaho
Services offered: stroke, acute myocardial infarction, trauma, septic shock
St. Alphonsus provides GRH with access to their specialty physician teams, including their Neuroscience Institute. More information on their Telestroke Program can be found here: https://www.saintalphonsus.org/stroke-center.
St. Alphonsus, Boise, Idaho
Stewart Lawrence, MD from St. Alphonsus lends his expertise to our team for premature and critically ill babies.
OHSU, Portland, Oregon
OHSU has a team of pediatric critical care specialists who are available for consults for our GRH physicians; their knowledge covers a vast spectrum of health issues including trauma, surgery, respiratory, cardiac, hematology/oncology and neurologic disorders.
Care provided by Equum Medical, New York, NY
Care provided by Equum Medical, New York NY.
Ancillary Services
- Pharmacy - St. Alphonsus, Baker City, Oregon
- Radiology - Tualatin Imaging, PC beginning January 2025
Staff Education
Telehealth is starting to be used to train and keep our staff up to date in the latest best practices within their area of care.
- Cardiology and ER Grand Rounds – St. Alphonsus, Boise, Idaho Supplemental Telehealth Services
If a patient requires communication in a language other than English or has hearing or speech impairments, our hospital utilizes Propio Interpretation Services. Propio provides 24/7 access to certified medical interpreters through video and audio interpreting.
Sometimes life takes unexpected turns and patients, including newborns, may be urgently transported to another hospital within the region. If new parents or family find themselves unexpectedly separated from their loved ones, we can arrange for a TeleVisit if the patient is admitted to any of the hospitals listed below.
- St. Alphonsus, Boise, Idaho; Nampa, Idaho; Ontario, Oregon; Baker City, Oregon
- Legacy Health System, Portland, Oregon
- OHSU, Portland, Oregon
- Providence Telemedicine, Network, Portland, Oregon
- Salem Hospital, Salem, Oregon