Of the more than 200 organizations to apply to the American Telemedicine Association’s new accreditation program, Amwell can count itself as the first to make the grade.

Amwell, an online medicine program offered by the urgent care provider American Well, became the first to receive ATA’s Accreditation for Online Patient Consultations last week. Some say earning the accreditation could lend legitimacy to the budding industry.

“This is an important step for telehealth,” American Well CEO Roy Schoenberg, MD, said in a news release. “ATA’s accreditation program is establishing an industry-wide standard for patient safety and service transparency. We believe that this is critical to the delivery of quality telehealth and are honored to be included in this accredited group.”

The American Telemedicine Association program was developed over a two-year period with the help of telemedicine providers and various health-field stakeholders. Its aim is to promote “patient safety, transparency of operations and adherence to all relevant laws and regulations,” according to the association.

ATA, which recently opened the program to both members and nonmembers, hopes to add several more companies to the accreditation list within the next few weeks.

“In an age where the average consumer manages nearly all aspects of life online, it’s a no-brainer that healthcare should be just as convenient, accessible and safe as online banking,’ ATA CEO Jonathan Linkous said in the release. “This program ensures that online healthcare services are following the necessary standards, guidelines and laws to provide safe care to American consumers.”

Consumers looking to learn more about the accreditation program can head over to ATA’s SafeOnlineHealth.org page.

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