Groups, Medicare, Telehealth and Telemedicine

Hundreds of industry groups call on Congress to advance permanent telehealth reform

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JUNE 30, 2020

Three hundred and forty healthcare organizations published an open letter Monday asking Senate and House leaders to permanently enshrine changes to policies that would make telehealth accessible in the long term. WHY IT MATTERS.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Telemedicine Public Health

Where telemedicine is headed now that the PHE has ended

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

MAY 30, 2023

What can be expected in healthcare and health IT now that the PHE has ended, and what does this mean for the future of telehealth? Further, what should CIOs and other health IT leaders at hospitals and health systems be doing to address new telemedicine challenges? What does the end of the PHE mean for the future of telemedicine?

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Medicare Telehealth Public Health

HHS watchdog reiterates importance of preventing telemedicine fraud

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

MARCH 1, 2021

Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General recognized telehealth's potential while cautioning that steps must be taken to ensure virtual care will not be compromised by fraud. "OIG is conducting significant oversight work assessing telehealth services during the public health emergency.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Telehealth Public Health Medicare

Doximity Study Finds Telehealth Is Health for Every Day Care

Health Populi

FEBRUARY 22, 2022

There’s more evidence that doctors and patients, both, want to use telehealth after the COVID-19 pandemic fades. Doximity’s second report on telemedicine explores both physicians’ and patients’ views on virtual care, finding most doctors and health consumers on the same page of virtual care adoption.

Telehealth

Telehealth Telemedicine Primary Care Medicare

Medicare Rolls Out Telehealth Indicator for Patients to Easily Find Telehealth Providers

Telebehavioral Health Institute

JANUARY 12, 2023

In January 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rolled out a new telehealth “indicator” to make information about Medicare telehealth providers on publically-available clinician profile pages more readily available. Research Supporting Use of the Telehealth Indicator.

Medicare

Medicare Telehealth Telemedicine Public Health

Physicians Practicing in the Age of COVID-19: Lower Incomes, More Telehealth

Health Populi

AUGUST 24, 2020

The two impacts impact most physicians as a result of COVID-19 have been experiencing a reduction in income (55%) and increasing the use of telemedicine in the practice (52%). Counterbalancing the lack of in-person visits, thousands of physicians have pivoted to virtual care and telemedicine platforms. On the payor front, large U.S.

Telehealth

Telehealth Telemedicine Medicare Primary Care

American Hospital Association, Johns Hopkins and others launch pro-telehealth campaign

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

DECEMBER 7, 2021

A group of 16 provider and industry organizations this past week launched a campaign geared toward protecting and expanding access to telehealth. Telehealth Access for America is aimed at educating members of the public about the need to enact permanent legislation around virtual care services. American Telemedicine Association.

Telehealth

Telehealth Telemedicine Medicare Connected Care

Bipartisan House bill proposes permanent telehealth benefits

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

The Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act would amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income and Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers to treat benefits for telehealth services like excepted benefits. "We asked Congress and they listened.

Telehealth

Telehealth Public Health Medicare Healthcare IT

Legislation to Remove the In-Person Requirement for Telehealth & Telemedicine Reimbursement

Telebehavioral Health Institute

JUNE 20, 2023

Since 2011, I have been writing the Telehealth.org blog to inform behavioral health professionals of telehealth advocacy to support the permanent approval of telehealth and telemedicine reimbursement at state and federal levels. The following article briefly outlines both bills.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Telehealth Medicare Connected Care

CONNECT for Health Act reintroduced, would expand telehealth access

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

APRIL 30, 2021

A bipartisan group comprising half of U.S. The act would expand coverage of Medicare telehealth services and make some COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities permanent, among other provisions. "The last year has shown us that telehealth works, it’s popular, and it’s here to stay," said Sen.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Public Health Primary Care

U.S. lawmakers reintroduce House bill safeguarding access to telehealth

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JANUARY 25, 2021

A bipartisan group of U.S. representatives has reintroduced a bill aimed at expanding access to telehealth beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2021 legislation was introduced this past week by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., cosponsored by Reps. Peter Welch, D-Vt., WHY IT MATTERS.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Public Health Telemedicine

22 states changed telemedicine laws during the pandemic

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JUNE 24, 2021

The Commonwealth Fund released an issue brief this week reviewing state actions to expand individual and group health insurance coverage of telemedicine between March 2020 and March 2021. It found that 22 states changed laws or policies during that time period to require more robust insurance coverage of telemedicine.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Public Health Medicare Telehealth

Psychiatrists 'pleasantly surprised' with transition to telemedicine

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

MAY 13, 2020

A qualitative RAND Corporation study finds that psychiatrists offering telemedicine for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic have had largely positive perceptions of the transition. Many, however, say they plan to return to in-person care when possible, due to the challenges psychiatric telemedicine entail. WHY IT MATTERS.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Private practice Mental health HIPAA

As 'telehealth cliff' looms, hundreds of healthcare orgs urge Congress to act

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JULY 27, 2021

Leading healthcare industry stakeholders on Monday implored top leaders in the House and Senate to help ensure, among other imperatives, that "Medicare beneficiaries [don't] abruptly lose access to nearly all recently expanded coverage of telehealth." " WHY IT MATTERS.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Public Health Telemedicine

The Future of Healthcare: Telehealth. Here’s Why You Need to Consider Telemedicine in 2019

Continue Education Journal

JUNE 12, 2019

Telehealth and Telemedicine Definition. We often hear telehealth and telemedicine used interchangeably, so let’s set the record straight – telehealth is the umbrella term that refers to medical services that healthcare practitioners provide to patients from a distance. Telehealth in 2019.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Telehealth mHealth Psychiatry

Billing Medicare and Private Payers for Telehealth Visits: What to Expect Post-Public Health Emergency

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

NOVEMBER 10, 2020

Prepare Now for Anticipated Changes to Medicare and Private Payer Rules. ” [i] “We have moved forward a decade in the use of telemedicine in this country, and it’s going to become and will remain an increasingly important part of physician practices going forward.” Anticipated New CMS Rules for Telehealth.

Public Health

Public Health Medicare Telehealth Health Policy

Long-Term Telehealth Coverage in Question for Physicians and Hospitals

Telebehavioral Health Institute

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

The White House recently announced a two-year extension for telehealth waivers, but higher telehealth coverage for physicians and hospitals is only approved through the end of 2023. Executives invested in technology and infrastructure for telehealth to meet the unprecedented demand for telehealth services.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Telemedicine Psychiatry

Telemedicine provider reports high teleconsultation uptake in the Philippines

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

MAY 26, 2021

Telemedicine provider Medgate saw a 170% increase in teleconsultations in Philippines last year, with an 80% case resolution rate. Our high case resolution rate is proof of telemedicine’s efficiency as a platform for delivering quality care,” said Medgate Philippines President Stavros Athanasiou in a statement.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Telehealth Medicare

Legislators float bipartisan bill to safeguard telehealth

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

DECEMBER 13, 2021

A group of legislators from the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee have introduced a bill aimed at temporarily extending telehealth flexibilities established during the COVID-19 pandemic. WHY IT MATTERS. David Schweikert, R-Arizona.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Telemedicine eHealth

Bipartisan bills in House, Senate seek to increase telehealth in nursing homes

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

MARCH 12, 2020

The Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalizations (RUSH) Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation introduced in both the House and Senate, aims to enable more widespread use of telehealth in skilled nursing facilities. The critical value of telehealth is evident as the coronavirus spreads worldwide. WHY IT MATTERS. THE LARGER TREND.

Nursing

Nursing Telehealth Medicare Remote care

Legislation to Remove the In-Person Requirement for Telehealth & Telemedicine Reimbursement

Telebehavioral Health Institute

JUNE 20, 2023

Since 2011, I have been writing the Telehealth.org blog to inform behavioral health professionals of telehealth advocacy to support the permanent approval of telehealth and telemedicine reimbursement at state and federal levels. The following article briefly outlines both bills.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Telehealth Medicare Connected Care

State Medicaid programs want to keep telehealth expansions, KFF analysis finds

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JANUARY 11, 2023

The Kaiser Family Foundation recently looked at state trends with regard to expanding access to telehealth-based behavioral care during the pandemic and found that states see telemedicine as a key component of maintaining access to behavioral healthcare for Medicaid enrollees. WHY IT MATTERS. " THE LARGER TREND.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Healthcare IT Public Health

Congress should include telehealth in year-end funding, say ATA, HIMSS

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

DECEMBER 14, 2020

The American Telemedicine Association, the Connected Health Initiative and other industry groups issued a letter to Congress on Friday urging legislators to extend temporary telehealth flexibilities until the end of 2021. Giving HHS the authority to determine appropriate telehealth services and providers. ON THE RECORD.

Telehealth

Telehealth eHealth Public Health Connected Health

Here's how smaller practices can prepare for continuing telehealth demands

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JUNE 29, 2020

The hurdles to implementing telemedicine programs among smaller practices are fourfold, said Nate Lacktman, chair of the national telemedicine and digital health industry team at Foley and Lardner. For smaller practices looking to prepare for ongoing telemedicine needs, Lacktman says there are opportunities to think creatively.

Telehealth

Telehealth Telemedicine HIPAA Healthcare IT

Women are less likely to use video for telehealth care

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JANUARY 6, 2021

A wide-ranging study published this past week in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that older people, women, Black and Latinx individuals, and patients with lower household incomes were less likely to use video for telemedicine care during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. " WHY IT MATTERS.

Telehealth

Telehealth Telemedicine Primary Care Connected Health

ATA cheers prospective telehealth extensions, but calls for more

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JULY 26, 2022

The American Telemedicine Association and its ATA Action affiliate on Monday expressed support for a bipartisan bill that would extend the virtual care flexibilities of the public health emergency another two years. They also called for the legislation to safeguard two other provisions they said were key to health equity. WHY IT MATTERS.

Telehealth

Telehealth Public Health Medicare Connected Health

Telemedicine Performance Measures (Telehealth KPIS) Issued by American College of Physicians

Telebehavioral Health Institute

JULY 11, 2023

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently issued a policy paper on telemedicine performance measures for physicians providing clinical care. The ACP recommendations stress the importance of maintaining the quality of performance measures using more precisely defined key performance indicators (KPIS) used to evaluate telehealth care.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Telehealth Mental health Medicare

Walmart signals plans to offer telehealth in 16 more states

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JUNE 8, 2021

The medical group for Walmart Health has filed paperwork to do business in more than a dozen more states – and a spokesperson told Insider that the moves are not related to physical clinics. Instead, the preparation regards the retail giant's pending acquisition of telehealth vendor MeMD earlier this year. WHY IT MATTERS.

Telehealth

Telehealth Primary Care Public Health Medicare

Telehealth Bolsters Patient Satisfaction (J.D. Power), and Providers Are Working to Catch Up (BDO)

Health Populi

JUNE 6, 2021

Two studies published in May 2021 illustrate the value and importance of telehealth to patients in 2020, and a disconnect among many C-level executives working in hospitals, academic medical centers, and other care provider organizations. Power and BDO illustrate some mis-alignment between the demand and supply side of telehealth.

Telehealth

Telehealth Telemedicine Patient Experience Accountable Care

The CONNECT for Health Act is reintroduced, again

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JUNE 20, 2023

A bipartisan group of legislators has reintroduced the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act – first introduced in 2016 – to expand opportunities and coverage for telehealth through Medicare. Allow more eligible healthcare professionals to use telehealth services.

Medicare

Medicare Telehealth Healthcare IT Public Health

Telemedicine Performance Measures (Telehealth KPIS) Issued by American College of Physicians

Telebehavioral Health Institute

MAY 9, 2023

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently issued a policy paper on telemedicine performance measures for physicians providing clinical care. The ACP recommendations stress the importance of maintaining the quality of performance measures using more precisely defined key performance indicators (KPIS) used to evaluate telehealth care.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Telehealth Mental health Medicare

Bipartisan House bill would enshrine telehealth rule changes, enable wider use

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JULY 16, 2020

House of Representatives on Thursday aims to ensure telehealth is able to continue to build on its potential in the years ahead, by making permanent some policies enacted during the pandemic and protecting Medicare beneficiaries' ability to engage in virtual care. WHY IT MATTERS.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Public Health Telemedicine

Connecticut Children's Care Network adds telehealth breastfeeding support

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JANUARY 10, 2023

As part of a new collaboration with the Connecticut Children's Care Network, Nest Collaborative will provide unlimited same-day telehealth appointments with certified lactation consultants for parents in need of prenatal and perinatal breastfeeding support. THE LARGER TREND. ON THE RECORD.

Telehealth

Telehealth Primary Care Mental health Healthcare IT

Florida provider group to pay $24.5M after False Claims Act allegations

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

APRIL 18, 2022

As outlined in the settlement agreement , PPOA is accused of using telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic to allegedly try and compensate for revenue lost from elective services. "Shortly thereafter, PPOA instructed medical providers to begin seeing patients by telemedicine twice a month." WHY IT MATTERS.

Federal healthcare

Federal healthcare Telemedicine Public Health Healthcare IT

In telehealth hearing, House committee weighs access against cost

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

MARCH 2, 2021

"Modernizing telehealth policy to meet the moment" is one of lawmakers' most important responsibilities, said Rep. The hearing came on the heels of the reintroduction of the bipartisan Telehealth Modernization Act in both the House and the Senate, which would safeguard access to coverage after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Telehealth

Telehealth Telemedicine Primary Care Health Policy

Telehealth reimbursement may be changing. How should providers prepare?

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

OCTOBER 27, 2020

The future potential of telehealth hinges on how it's reimbursed. The government has signaled its support for reimbursing some telehealth services, at least in the short term. "The government can play a very positive role in telehealth by establishing clear standards and clear reimbursement guidelines," said Selesnick.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Primary Care Healthcare IT

RemoteICU sues over HHS telehealth restrictions

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

hospitals via telemedicine, has sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over the agency's telehealth restrictions. "That's a fundamental misunderstanding of what telehealth is," said Jesse Panuccio, partner at Boies Schiller Flexner and counsel for RemoteICU, in an interview with Healthcare IT News.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Telemedicine Healthcare IT

Study of 40.7M adults finds telehealth comparable for chronic conditions

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

APRIL 29, 2022

million commercially insured adults in the United States who sought care via telehealth found contrasting patterns of follow-up care between those with chronic conditions and those with acute clinical conditions. Many previous large studies of telehealth use have relied on Medicare data. A study of 40.7 WHY IT MATTERS.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Healthcare IT Public Health

Legislators and healthcare orgs rally in favor of bipartisan telehealth bill

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JULY 23, 2020

Several healthcare organizations and elected officials came together on Thursday in support of legislation safeguarding access to telehealth after the pandemic. "We have seen the positive impact of telehealth across the nation," said Jen Covich Bordenick, CEO at eHealth Initiative. " "Telehealth is not new.

Telehealth

Telehealth eHealth Medicare Meaningful Use

COVID-19 presents a new chance to make telehealth accessible to the underserved

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JUNE 8, 2020

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory, reimbursement and technological changes have all helped trigger a massive and rapid expansion of telehealth accessibility. At the same time, say industry leaders, vulnerable groups – especially people of color – are being left behind.

Telehealth

Telehealth Leadership Healthcare IT Connected Care

Nearly half of physicians using telehealth, up from just 18% in 2018

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

APRIL 23, 2020

Physicians are changing the patterns of their practice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly half of them using telehealth to treat patients, up from just 18% in 2018. The 2018 survey had indicated that telemedicine use among physicians was more prominent among younger doctors. WHY IT MATTERS. THE LARGER TREND.

Telehealth

Telehealth Telemedicine Medicare

An inside look at a national, bilingual telemedicine service

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

AUGUST 29, 2022

Galileo is a recently launched telehealth service that delivers 24/7 primary and multi-specialty care in both English and Spanish. Healthcare IT News sat down with Chirichigno to get an inside look at how a national telemedicine platform works, and why bilingual service is so important to the company.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine Primary Care Medicare Telehealth

Florida man pleads guilty in scheme exploiting amended telehealth restrictions

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

Department of Justice announced this week that a Florida laboratory owner had pleaded guilty for his role in a $73 million Medicare kickback scheme. According to the agency , the conspiracy involved paying a telemedicine company to arrange for doctors to authorize medically unnecessary genetic testing. WHY IT MATTERS.

Telehealth

Telehealth Medicare Public Health Federal healthcare

8 must-know lessons from telehealth's new normal

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

Telehealth has been around for a long time, but only recently has it gained the critical mass that most have long expected. Naturally, the first focus was on exploring the new normal of telehealth and virtual care. How to shore up telehealth cybersecurity. How to optimize RPM for physicians.

Telehealth

Telehealth eHealth Connected Health Health Policy

Hundreds of industry groups call on Congress to advance permanent telehealth reform

Where telemedicine is headed now that the PHE has ended

Trending Sources

HHS watchdog reiterates importance of preventing telemedicine fraud

Doximity Study Finds Telehealth Is Health for Every Day Care

Medicare Rolls Out Telehealth Indicator for Patients to Easily Find Telehealth Providers

Physicians Practicing in the Age of COVID-19: Lower Incomes, More Telehealth

American Hospital Association, Johns Hopkins and others launch pro-telehealth campaign

Bipartisan House bill proposes permanent telehealth benefits

Legislation to Remove the In-Person Requirement for Telehealth & Telemedicine Reimbursement

CONNECT for Health Act reintroduced, would expand telehealth access

U.S. lawmakers reintroduce House bill safeguarding access to telehealth

22 states changed telemedicine laws during the pandemic

Psychiatrists 'pleasantly surprised' with transition to telemedicine

As 'telehealth cliff' looms, hundreds of healthcare orgs urge Congress to act

The Future of Healthcare: Telehealth. Here’s Why You Need to Consider Telemedicine in 2019

Billing Medicare and Private Payers for Telehealth Visits: What to Expect Post-Public Health Emergency

Long-Term Telehealth Coverage in Question for Physicians and Hospitals

Telemedicine provider reports high teleconsultation uptake in the Philippines

Legislators float bipartisan bill to safeguard telehealth

Bipartisan bills in House, Senate seek to increase telehealth in nursing homes

Legislation to Remove the In-Person Requirement for Telehealth & Telemedicine Reimbursement

State Medicaid programs want to keep telehealth expansions, KFF analysis finds

Congress should include telehealth in year-end funding, say ATA, HIMSS

Here's how smaller practices can prepare for continuing telehealth demands

Women are less likely to use video for telehealth care

ATA cheers prospective telehealth extensions, but calls for more

Telemedicine Performance Measures (Telehealth KPIS) Issued by American College of Physicians

Walmart signals plans to offer telehealth in 16 more states

Telehealth Bolsters Patient Satisfaction (J.D. Power), and Providers Are Working to Catch Up (BDO)

The CONNECT for Health Act is reintroduced, again

Telemedicine Performance Measures (Telehealth KPIS) Issued by American College of Physicians

Bipartisan House bill would enshrine telehealth rule changes, enable wider use

Connecticut Children's Care Network adds telehealth breastfeeding support

Florida provider group to pay $24.5M after False Claims Act allegations

In telehealth hearing, House committee weighs access against cost

Telehealth reimbursement may be changing. How should providers prepare?

RemoteICU sues over HHS telehealth restrictions

Study of 40.7M adults finds telehealth comparable for chronic conditions

Legislators and healthcare orgs rally in favor of bipartisan telehealth bill

COVID-19 presents a new chance to make telehealth accessible to the underserved

Nearly half of physicians using telehealth, up from just 18% in 2018

An inside look at a national, bilingual telemedicine service

Florida man pleads guilty in scheme exploiting amended telehealth restrictions

8 must-know lessons from telehealth's new normal

Stay Connected