Help Provide Free Care
Your gift helps RAM provide free dental, vision, and medical services to people in need.
Remote Area Medical (RAM) is the largest publicly funded provider of free health care in the United States. As the organization continues to grow, RAM is finding new ways to bring free, quality health care to those in need. In 2020 RAM launched a free Telehealth Program, as the program continues to grow RAM’s reach extends to more patients.
For many individuals one of the barriers to receiving necessary medical care is distance. Whether it’s not having reliable transportation, a lack of care nearby, or the inability to take time off from work to visit the doctor, access to medical care is impacted by distance.
A study from the American Hospital Association (AHA) reported that rural residents travel approximately twice as for to hospitals than residents in suburban and urban areas. Most rural Americans live approximately 10.5 miles or 17 minutes from the nearest hospital. The longest average time to a hospital for rural Americans was averaging 34 minutes.
One of the ways RAM addresses this issue is by providing free telehealth clinics. Healthcare practitioners can remotely treat patients across the state of Tennessee. Due to current licensing regulations, RAM is only able to provide telemedicine services to Tennessee residents.
What is telehealth?
The U.S. Health Resource & Service Administration defines telehealth as, “. . . The use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, health administration, and public health.”
This program allows patients to receive care from healthcare providers in a location that is convenient for them, without having to travel too far — removing distance as a barrier to care.
Support This Story
Your gift helps RAM continue providing free care to people in need.
Telehealth provides patients and providers with a safe and effective way to meet virtually. In 2022, 30.1% of adults in the U.S. reported having a virtual doctor appointment in the last 12 months [Center for Disease Control].
How does RAM‘s telehealth program work?
The telehealth access vehicle is equipped with two exam rooms and essential medical supplies. Doctors work remotely alongside onsite nurses to ensure patients receive necessary care. The mobile unit allows RAM to bring telehealth to patients throughout Tennessee, with plans to expand beyond the state.
Check the Telehealth Clinic Schedule to find the next telehealth clinic near you!
RAM connects patients to licensed medical professionals. Like all RAM Clinics, virtual telehealth appointments are free, and no insurance is required. The online doctor appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis.
RAM works to remove distance to care as a barrier by providing free telehealth services. We hope to reach these patients through the telehealth program.
How can you support the program?
Financial donations allow RAM to continue providing free care and essential services to underserved individuals. Healthcare providers who would like to volunteer with RAM’s Telehealth Program, click here.
You can also support RAM by following us on social media, reading our blog posts, and download our free magazine!
