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:
Priority Health expands partnership with MDLIVE to offer enhanced out-of-state behavioral health benefits
Priority Health (@PriorityHealth) announced that it has expanded its partnership with MDLIVE (@MDLIVEInc), a national telehealth network, to offer out-of-state behavioral health coverage to its Medicare and Individual market members beginning January 1, 2021. Priority Health’s existing partnership with MDLIVE provides out-of-state medical coverage through telehealth services. The addition of behavioral health services will allow members who live or are traveling outside the state of Michigan to virtually connect with thousands of licensed behavioral health providers.
Philips Patient Management Solution keeps patients safe and personalizes care during COVID-19 at leading U.S. medical centers
Royal Philips (@PhilipsPR), a health technology company, announced it is working with leading medical centers to help respond to COVID-19 by increasing patients’ involvement in their care with the Philips Patient Management Solution. Boston Medical Center, Yale New Haven Health and Lahey Hospital and Medical Center among the first to extend virtual care options enabling patients to remain safe during radiology exams, medical procedures, general visits, and more.
Updox Supports Healthcare Providers with Implementing Full Virtual Care Strategy; Boosts Staff Productivity by 30%
Updox (@updox), a company providing a place to manage healthcare communications across both in-person and virtual care, released its Virtual Care Playbook: Four Steps to Connecting the Dots and Piecing Together Your Virtual Care Strategy. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the consumerization of healthcare, and successful healthcare practices, health systems and pharmacies are not only implementing a variety of virtual care solutions to meet patient expectations, but are connecting the dots between them to create a streamlined virtual care experience. The Updox playbook — which comes on the heels of Updox’s Virtual Care Report and survey of more than 3,000 practices on their virtual care experiences — provides healthcare organizations with strategies on how to implement an effective virtual care strategy, sharing the real experiences of Updox customers.
Prospero Health Expands Nationally to Increase Access to Home-based and Virtual Care for Seniors
Prospero Health, a team-based home health care company, announced that it is expanding into 16 states to reach more than 8,000 new patients in need of home health care in 2021. With its expanded footprint, Prospero will serve 25,000 patients in a total of 26 states, bringing its innovative model of home-based care and 24/7 telemedicine support to a growing population of people living with serious health conditions.
M12 Invests in the Future of Virtual Health with Andor Health
Andor Health (@andor_health), the company that harnesses machine and human intelligence to change the way care teams connect and collaborate, announced a successful Series A fundraise led by M12, Microsoft’s venture fund. M12’s investment in Andor Health comes as the company has shown quick growth and success with ThinkAndor®, its artificial intelligence and machine learning-powered virtual health platform.
Vidyo Experiences Solid Growth After Strong Q3
Vidyo, Inc. (@vidyo), a provider of embedded video telehealth solutions, announced company growth led by increased demand in telehealth offerings sparked by COVID-19. Supporting this growth, Vidyo accelerated the implementation of updated mobile web real-time communications (WebRTC) technology and hired video conferencing veteran Rob Hughes as senior vice president of sales. Along with Vidyo’s growth, parent company Enghouse Systems reported 30% higher third-quarter revenue than last year.
Reliq Health Technologies, Inc. Files Q1 FY2021 Financial Statements, Provides Corporate Update
Reliq Health Technologies Inc. (@ReliqHealth), a technology company focused on developing innovative mobile health (mHealth) and telemedicine solutions for Community-Based Healthcare, announced that the interim consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, are now available on the Company’s profile on SEDAR.
Doxy.me Experiences 10X Growth in Provider Users and Reaches Over 100 Million Patient Telehealth Visits
Doxy.me (@doxymeHQ), a free, accessible and secure telemedicine solution, had a momentous year in response to the influx of demand for telemedicine as COVID-19 impacted millions of healthcare providers and patients across the country. In just the last six months, the HIPAA compliant platform grew from 80,000 to more than 750,000 users. Providers have now used the platform to perform over 100 million visits with patients. The company also just surpassed more than 10,000 clinics registered to use the platform to provide telemedicine services to patients in an easy, fast and secure manner.
Product News:
No Contact Urgent Care Revolutionizes Telemedicine As Pandemic Continues Into 2021
While people are avoiding hospitals, medical clinics and physician offices due to fear of exposure to COVID-19, ThereCare has introduced a game-changer for safe and affordable home-based medical care. Given the urgent need to transform medical practices so patients don’t avoid medical care for conditions that can escalate if ignored, the No Contact Urgent Care kit by ThereCare is the ideal social distancing solution for virtual head-to-toe exams.
VSee Messenger Update 4.9.1 – Work Your Clinic Dashboard Right From Messenger!
VSee (@VSee) has recently made it more convenient for providers to see patients from the VSee Messenger app with this new update! No need to switch from your Messenger app to the web browser in order to call patients using no-download web video. No more wondering where a patient is when they are still coming into your waiting room.
To Read:
Why are Telehealth Companies Treating Healthcare Like the Gig Economy? from TechCrunch – Spurred by the pandemic, many doctors in the U.S. now offer online appointments, and many patients are familiar with getting live medical advice over the internet. Given the obvious benefits, many experts have concluded that telehealth is here to stay. Now the question is, where are we going?
4 Strategies to Make Telehealth Work for Elderly Patients from Harvard Business Review – The Covid-19 pandemic catapulted telehealth into the mainstream and it is likely to remain there even after the pandemic subsides. It’s proved highly effective for younger, digitally savvy patients. But older patients, and particularly the frail elderly, often struggle with the technology. How can primary care providers help these patients adopt telehealth? And when are face-to-face visits still the best option?
6 Ways You Can Increase Patient Comfort During Telehealth Visits from Daily Nurse – Though the transition was a little rough at first, patients and health care providers are starting to get used to telehealth visits. However, we are still in a period of adjustment and learning how to make patients feel confident about virtual appointments. To make this happen, here are six things you can do to help patients feel comfortable during a telehealth visit.
Making the Cut:
Sharecare earns 18 Digital Health Awards for virtual care platform, original COVID-19 content, and well-being engagement tools
Sharecare (@SharecareInc), the digital health company that helps people manage all their health in one place, announced it was recognized in the Fall 2020 Digital Health Awards with 18 awards across its social media channels, patient engagement and education products, virtual care platform, and original content and resources, including those developed in rapid response to the pandemic.
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: