Distant Site

Sitio Distante

In 9 languages

LanguageTerm
EnglishDistant Site
Spanish (Español) Sitio Distante
Chinese (中文) 远程端
Korean (한국어) 원격지
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) Điểm cung cấp dịch vụ từ xa
Filipino (Tagalog) Malayong Lokasyon
Portuguese (Português) Site Distante
Thai (ภาษาไทย) สถานที่ของผู้ให้บริการทางไกล
Japanese (日本語) 遠隔サイト

What it means

In telehealth, the distant site is the physical location where the licensed healthcare provider is situated when delivering care remotely. For example, a physician in Chicago is at the distant site when conducting a video visit with a patient in rural Montana (the originating site). Medicare and most insurers require the distant-site provider to hold a valid license in the state where the patient is located. Medicare covers a growing list of services at the distant site, including mental health visits, chronic care management, and specialist consultations. Confirming that your telehealth provider's distant site qualifies under applicable rules helps prevent unexpected claim denials. Compare this with originating site, which is where the patient is.

How to say it

Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:

The cardiologist at the distant site reviewed my test results during our video appointment.

El cardiólogo en el sitio distante revisó mis resultados de exámenes durante nuestra cita por video.

Your insurer may require the provider at the distant site to be licensed in your home state.

Su aseguradora puede exigir que el proveedor en el sitio distante tenga licencia en su estado de residencia.

A prior authorization was needed before my specialist at the distant site could see me via telehealth.

Se necesitó una autorización previa antes de que mi especialista en el sitio distante pudiera atenderme por telesalud.

Where you'll see it

Telehealth consent formMedicare claim form (CMS-1500)Explanation of benefits (EOB)Prior authorization request form

Related terms

Sources

US Glossary Español A–Z US Codes United States

Last reviewed: September 2026