We are combining our Telemedicine and Virtual Care reports into Telemedicine 2020. We are seeking out the latest developments around Telemedicine. How is telemedicine used to benefit patients and care givers? What are the newest innovations in telemedicine technology? How telehealth and virtual care fit into the realm of Telemedicine.
Industry News:
American Telemedicine Association Partners with ORCHA to Launch Review Process in the U.S. to Ensure Patients Have Access to Safe and Effective Apps
The American Telemedicine Association (@AmericanTelemed) announced a new partnership with ORCHA (Organization for the Review of Care and Health Apps) to create a review process for the U.S. to enable healthcare providers, insurers, and employers to give patients access to safe and effective health apps.
Bluestream Health and Redox Partner to Simplify Telemedicine Workflows for Patients and Providers
Bluestream Health (@bluestream), a growing telemedicine platform, announced a strategic partnership with Redox Inc. (@Redox), a leading cloud platform for healthcare data exchange. Working together, the two companies will allow provider organizations to quickly and easily deploy a context-aware linking (CAL) version of Bluestream Health’s telehealth platform for a superior user experience.
New job listings for Amazon’s internal telemedicine service, Amazon Care, hint at expansion
CNBC reports that Amazon Care, the company’s online medical clinic for its own employees, is trying to hire half a dozen people in business development roles to “build and grow relationships with commercial and public sector enterprises.” Most of the roles were posted in the past month.
Livongo and Guidewell Agree to Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Care Delivery to Vulnerable Populations
Leveraging Teladoc Health’s existing relationship with Guidewell, Florida Blue Members will have access to Livongo’s (@livongo) end-to-end virtual care experience for diabetes.
98point6 Announces $118 Million Series E Led by L Catterton and Activant Capital to Support Rapid Growth
98point6 (@98point6Inc), an on-demand digital primary care service that delivers personalized consultation, diagnosis and treatment to patients across the country, announced a $118 million Series E fundraising round to further support its growth and success.
Amwell Announces Appointment of Deborah C. Jackson to its Board of Directors
Amwell®, (@amwell) a national telehealth company, announced the appointment of Ms. Deborah C. Jackson to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately.
MDLIVE Announces Leadership Team Appointments
MDLIVE Inc. (@MDLIVEInc) announced two appointments on its senior leadership team as the company continues on an accelerated growth track precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindy Heintskill, who most recently served as the company’s chief marketing officer, was named to the newly created role of Chief Growth Officer while Kristy Kaiser, a seasoned healthcare strategist and innovator, was named as Chief Product Officer.
SOC Telemed Provides Updated Outlook and Business Update
SOC Telemed (@SOCTelemed), a national provider of acute care telemedicine, provided financial and business highlights based on the strength of the year to date performance.
State News:
Indiana Improves Telemedicine Reimbursement During COVID Emergency
The Indiana Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (“OMPP”) announced new changes to telemedicine reimbursement that aligns all Medicaid payor policies (fee-for-service and Medicaid managed care). The changes, applicable to claims with dates of service beginning September 24, 2020, allow providers to use codes that reimburse at the higher, non-facility, rate. Such policy changes will continue through the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Product News:
Greenway Health advances ambulatory care practices with commercial launch of Greenway Telehealth
Health information technology services provider Greenway Health (@greenway) announced the commercial availability of the first tool in its virtual care portfolio, Greenway Telehealth™, a secure, HIPAA-compliant solution designed with an easy-to-use interface for both providers and patients.
KipuHealth Launches Enhanced Telehealth Service
At a time when telehealth has become increasingly important to manage healthcare needs, KipuHealth (@kipusystems), an electronic medical records (EMR) provider that focuses specifically on the treatment of substance use disorder, eating disorders and behavioral health, has enhanced its telehealth options. The company now includes the option to schedule and launch video group sessions directly from the KipuEMR, in addition to the Kipu Messenger portal and mobile app, offering clients and providers another way to continue treatment in a safe and HIPAA-secure setting.
Tech Tyto Care adds diagnostic AI component to at-home telehealth kit
At-home medical kit maker Tyto Care has rolled out artificial-intelligence-powered features to enable its telehealth platform to perform diagnostic capabilities.
To Read:
CMS Announces New Medicare Telehealth Services and Updates Medicaid Telehealth Toolkit by The National Law Review – October 14, 2020, CMS added eleven new codes to the list of telehealth services covered by Medicare during to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Coverage for these new services is effective immediately and will continue, on a temporary basis, for the duration of the PHE. The PHE was recently extended through January 20, 2021.
6 best practices to sharpen physicians’ use of telehealth by AMA (@AmerMedicalAssn) – The COVID-19 pandemic sparked rapid growth in the use of telehealth, and what’s perhaps most surprising to seasoned experts on telemedicine is how smoothly the transition has fared for so many patients and physicians. In a panel discussion during the Telehealth Initiative virtual boot camp, led by AMA Director of Chronic Disease Prevention Kate Kirley, MD, three physicians shared best practices for physicians to follow when implementing and using telehealth.
New Research Finds Utilizing Telemedicine in the ER can Reduce Wait Times and Patient Length of Stay by INFORMS – CATONSVILLE, MD, Telemedicine has become more common given the current global pandemic. COVID-19 has limited doctor’s office and hospital visits to ensure safety for everyone. But rather than diminish the quality of care, new research in the INFORMS journal Information Systems Research finds that increasing wider use of telemedicine in the emergency room (ER) can yield positive results for patients and providers alike.
Making the Cut:
NextGen Healthcare Recognized as Market Leader in Medical Practice Management and Telemedicine Software
NextGen Healthcare, Inc. (@nextgen), a provider of ambulatory-focused technology solutions, announced for the second consecutive year, NextGen Healthcare has been designated Market Leader in Featured Customers’ Summer 2020 Medical Practice Management Customer Success Report. In addition, the Company was recognized as Market Leader in the inaugural Fall 2020 Telemedicine Software Customer Success Report. Market Leaders are determined by customer references, company presence and company size.
Listen:
HealthcareNOW Radio Telehealth Playlist
The Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines telehealth as “the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.” To learn more and find out about the latest in telehealth tune in to the episodes on this playlist. Additionally, be sure to read HCNR’s Friday Five which recaps the site’s month long concentration on telehealth.
Events and Resources:
Telehealth.HHS.gov
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, we don’t have to choose between medical care and social distancing. When patients can get health care through telehealth — and doctors can provide it — we protect ourselves and our communities. The Telehealth.HHS.gov website provides information about the latest federal efforts to support and promote telehealth services.
The American Telemedicine Association Events
ATA is a non-profit association based in Washington DC with a membership network of more than 10,000 industry leaders and healthcare professionals. We are a leading telehealth association helping to transform healthcare by improving the quality, equity and affordability of healthcare throughout the world. Find their next event.
Defining the Industry According to the AAFP:
Telemedicine is the practice of medicine using technology to deliver care at a distance. It occurs using a telecommunications infrastructure between a patient (at an originating or spoke site) and a physician or other practitioner licensed to practice medicine (at a distant or hub site).
Virtual Care is a patient service model for healthcare providers.
Telehealth refers to a broad collection of electronic and telecommunications technologies that support health care delivery and services from distant locations. Telehealth technologies support virtual medical, health, and education services.
Hashtags to follow for updates on Telemedicine: