Meridian Health, the New Jersey health system, will launch telehealth services in early 2016 and has enlisted Lewisville, Texas-based Teladoc for round-the-clock access to its network of licensed physicians.

Meridian Health has scored the top spot in Healthcare IT News' Best Hospital IT Department awards for three years running.

[See also: Meridian Health System: a 'destination employer']

It's also rated among the top health systems in the Garden State for clinical quality, and in offering telehealth consults to its patients, Meridian aims to offer convenient and affordable access to quality non-emergent care, officials say.

Sal Inciardi, senior vice president of business development at Meridian Health, called the rollout "a natural extension of our commitment to high-quality and affordable healthcare, patient-centered practices and the overall health and well-being of our communities."

He added that "Teladoc's reputation for clinical quality, along with its size and scalability, is ideally suited to Meridian's dedication to quality and to our continuing growth and expansion."

See also:

Congress makes a big telehealth push
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