By Richard Craver, Winston-Salem Journal
The push to blanket much of rural North Carolina with telepsychiatry coverage gained another boost last week when the Duke Endowment approved an additional $1.5 million for the initiative.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will get $800,000 this year and $700,000 in 2015 for its Office of Rural Health and Community Care.
Telepsychiatry uses two-way audio and/or video as a rapid-response assessment option for people during a mental health or substance abuse episode.
The General Assembly approved in 2013 providing $4 million over two years toward the $4.63 million startup cost. The Duke Endowment contributed $600,000 at that time, while hospital subscription fees and claim reimbursements will make up the remaining funding.