How ACCESS Telemedicine Works

University of New Mexico ACCESS Telemedicine is a not-for-profit service. We provide on-demand telemedicine consultations for neurology and neurosurgery 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We work with hospitals and patients across New Mexico.

ACCESS Telemedicine’s Approach

ACCESS Telemedicine extends the capabilities of New Mexico’s only Level 1 trauma center, UNM Hospital, to facilities statewide. Our not-for-profit service requires no annual subscription fee. Hospitals pay only for what they use, with one low fee per consultation.

By providing education and training, as well as round-the-clock expertise, we support local providers in delivering high-quality care. ACCESS Telemedicine specialists advise on patient assessment and help with decision-making.

Throughout a consultation, patient care remains in the hands of local doctors. Our ultimate goal is to improve health care access in New Mexico by enabling patients to receive exceptional care in local hospitals, close to home. Learn more about ACCESS Telemedicine.

How ACCESS Telemedicine Works

Through ACCESS Telemedicine, UNM neurologists and neurosurgeons evaluate patients in real-time. They consult with emergency room doctors or local hospitalists to assess patients and help develop a care plan. The consultation includes:

  • Consultation request: The hospital partner requests a neurology or neurosurgery consultation.
  • Patient evaluation: The on-call neurologist or neurosurgeon connects with the hospital. Specialists can see, hear and speak with the patient. They can use a digitally connected eye scope to evaluate pupil dilation and other indicators of brain status. Read more about the conditions we treat.
  • Imaging and tests: Requesting hospitals order CT scans and other radiology imaging. They send the results to our telemedicine partner, Net Medical Xpress, who transmits them to the consulting physician. Learn more about our technology requirements.
  • Assessment: The consulting specialist can view radiological images and live video of the patient to make an evaluation. The specialist can discuss the situation with the patient, the patient’s family and the local doctor. They work together to create an agreed-upon care plan. Some patients may be transferred to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque. More often, patients remain at their local hospital to receive care.
  • Consult notes: The telemedicine specialist records notes in an electronic medical record. The requesting hospital receives these notes via fax or data interface.
  • Follow-up: The local physician implements recommendations from the consultation. If the patient’s status changes or providers have questions, they can request a follow-up consultation within 24 hours at no additional charge.
  • Billing and reimbursement: Hospitals pay a one-time, flat fee for each consultation. They submit the charge to payers for reimbursement as defined by existing contracts. Get more information about fees and reimbursement.

About ACCESS Telemedicine Consulting Physicians

All ACCESS Telemedicine consultations are provided by UNM neurologists and neurosurgeons and other contracted and credentialed neurologists. Our telemedicine partner, Net Medical Xpress Solutions, handles the credentialing process. Consulting neurologists include academic and non-academic specialists. All consulting physicians are stroke-certified experts and are licensed to practice in New Mexico.

Find out more about UNM as a neuro-emergent care leader.