
If you live in Seattle, getting a weird mole or rash checked out by a dermatologist might just mean a quick trip across town. But if you live in a small town in eastern Washington—or don’t have a car, reliable internet, or time off work—that same appointment could take months to get and hours to reach. For many people in our state, especially in rural areas, skin care just isn’t easy to access.
And that’s a problem. Skin conditions aren’t always just about appearance—they can be uncomfortable, painful, or even life-threatening. Skin cancer, for example, is one of the most common cancers in the U.S., but it’s also one of the most treatable when caught early. Yet in rural areas, access to dermatologists is alarmingly scarce—with only 0.085 dermatologists per 100,000 people, compared to 4.11 per 100,000 in urban regions across Washington and Oregon. So why are so many Washingtonians still waiting to get care?
Here’s where teledermatology can help. It’s a fancy word, but the idea is simple: it’s a way for skin doctors (dermatologists) to look at rashes, moles, acne, and other skin issues through photos or video calls instead of in-person visits. Patients can send in pictures of their skin problem or meet with a doctor over a video call to get answers without needing to leave their home.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, teledermatology took off out of necessity—and it worked surprisingly well. Many skin issues are visible, which makes them easier to diagnose from a screen than, say, a heart condition. And patients who used telehealth often said they liked it. It saved them gas money, time off work, and long drives just to get care.
But now that we’re out of the emergency phase of the pandemic, we risk losing a good thing. Not everyone in Washington can access teledermatology easily. In some rural towns, there’s no reliable internet. Some insurance plans still don’t cover online dermatology visits the same way they cover in-person ones. And some people—especially older adults—don’t feel confident using video calls or sending pictures from a phone or tablet.
That’s why we need to do more. If Washington wants to make sure everyone has a fair shot at getting skin care, we need to invest in a few key things:
- Better internet in rural areas so more people can use telehealth tools.
- Fair insurance rules that cover online dermatology visits just like in-person ones.
- Community telehealth hubs in places like libraries or clinics, where people can go for private, internet-connected appointments—even if they don’t have the technology at home.
- Help for patients who aren’t used to using apps or video calls, so they feel comfortable getting the care they need.
This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about fairness. Everyone deserves to get medical help, whether they live in downtown Seattle or a small farming town. Skin health affects our comfort, our confidence, and sometimes even our lives. No one should have to wait months, drive hours, or skip care because the system makes it too hard.
Teledermatology won’t replace every in-person visit. Sometimes a mole needs to be biopsied, or a condition needs to be seen under special lighting. But for many common issues, remote care can be just as good—and a lot more accessible.
Washington has the chance to lead the way in making teledermatology part of our normal healthcare system. The technology is here. The doctors are willing. The only question is whether we’ll make the changes needed to connect more people to care.
Where you live shouldn’t determine whether you get timely, potentially life-saving care. Washington has the tools to close this gap—starting with teledermatology. Now we just need the will to use them.
Sources:
Serra-García, Marta, et al. Urban versus Rural Utilization of Teledermoscopy in Self‑Skin Examinations: A Cohort Study in Oregon and Washington. Dermatology Reports, vol. 15, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10327663/
Rise of Teledermatology in the COVID‑19 Era: A Pan‑World Perspective. Digital Health, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35154805/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Melanoma of the Skin Statistics. Updated June 10, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/statistics/index.html