In this monthly series we are seeking out the latest developments around Telemedcine. How is telemedicine used to benefit patients and care givers? What are the newest innovations in telemedicine technology? How does telemedicine fit into the realm of virtual care? For virtual care industry news and information, read our regular reporting on Virtual Care on Health Data Answers.
Hashtags to follow for updates on telemedicine:
To Listen:
The Tate Chronicles – Kathy Ford, Rhinogram
On this episode of The Tate Chronicles, host Jim Tate’s guest is Kathy Ford, President and Chief Product Officer of Rhinogram (@rhinogram) and host of Talkin’ Telehealth. They discuss technology and the potential for practice and clinical workflows with communication between patients and providers.
Collaboration News:
MarineMax Uses UCM’s Virtual ER to provide employees better care
MarineMax, a national retailer of new and pre-owned boats and yachts, announced an exciting partnership with NY-based Virtual ER provider United Concierge Medicine (UCM) that results in immediate access to emergency medicine experts while simultaneously reducing employee and health care plan costs.
InTouch Health and NTT DATA Strengthen Partnership To Advance Virtual Care
InTouch Health (@InTouchHealth), ranked 2019 Best in KLAS for Virtual Care Platforms, and NTT DATA Services, a recognized leader in global technology services, have expanded their partnership to accelerate the delivery of virtual care solutions that enable healthcare providers to improve patient care, access, costs, and the patient and provider experience.
OTTO Health Partners with Twin Cities Pain Clinic
OTTO Health’s newest partner, Twin Cities Pain Clinic, is always looking to improve patient care by offering convenient solutions. “A great deal of our patients suffer from chronic pain and require regular visits to help manage their conditions,” said Dr. Andrew Will, founder and Medical Director of Twin Cities Pain Clinic. “It is difficult for many patients to take off work for office visits, while others find travel burdensome due to their pain. We started exploring Telehealth products to offer them a more convenient option for follow-ups and check-ins.”
State News
California Requires Private Payers To Reimburse For Telehealth Services At Parity With Office Services
California recently passed legislation regarding private payers. Starting in January 2021, all commercial health plans in California must reimburse for telehealth services at parity with office visit services under the terms of a bill signed on October 14, 2019. Additionally, private payers cannot require that in-person contact occur before covering a telehealth delivered service, but it is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract.
Novant Health and Tyto Care Partner to Provide Unique Digital Health Offerings
Novant Health, an integrated healthcare system headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, announced its strategic partnership with Tyto Care (@TytoCare), the healthcare industry’s first all-in-one modular device and telehealth platform for on-demand, remote medical exams. With this partnership, patients will have access to standard virtual visits, as well as the ability to utilize the TytoHome examination device, available for purchase later this fall, to augment virtual visits with comprehensive physical exams. Patients in North Carolina will be connected exclusively via the Tyto Care platform to a Novant Health provider anytime, anywhere.
Financial News:
American Well® Acquires Aligned Telehealth to Expand Behavioral Health Virtual Care
American Well (@americanwell) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aligned Telehealth, a provider of behavioral telehealth and telepsychiatry services to hospitals and health plans. Combining Aligned Telehealth’s ability to access a network of clinical experts with American Well’s digital care delivery platform, the companies will deliver programs that hospitals, health plans and the industry at large can leverage to address the mounting challenges of clinician shortages, fragmented care and societal stigmas impeding adequate behavioral health access and treatment.
Teladoc Health Reports Third Quarter 2019 Results
Teladoc Health, Inc. (@teladochealth) reported financial results for the third quarter ending September 30, 2019.
Product News:
Here’s how Amazon employees get health care through a new app — a glimpse of the future of medicine
According to CNBC, Amazon has now launched its Amazon Care app into major app stores as part of its strategy to help its Seattle-area employees get more convenient and affordable health care. A website — Amazon.care — is live, and the company recently released apps that offer health advice, virtual medical visits and in-person support via a health professional that shows up at an employee’s home or office.
SOC Telemed Launches Revenue Cycle Management Service Offering
SOC Telemed (@SOCTelemed) announced the completion of the beta testing and pilot stages for its revenue cycle management offering. In use since January, the innovative program is currently in place at strategic partner hospitals around the country and transitions the responsibility of billing for telemedicine services and associated financial liability from the hospital, directly to SOC.
To Read:
Telemedicine and Addiction Treatment Outcomes
CTV News reports that opioid addiction related deaths are rising but a new study b a professor from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine is providing new hope. Using video-conferencing systems when it comes to treating patients isn’t new in the medical field. Dr. David Marsh, leading addictions specialist, says he was surprised though by the results of a recent study he completed on the effectiveness of treating opioid dependency via telemedicine therapy.
Medici Launches Operation 11/11
Medici (@Medici_app), a virtual healthcare company, launched Operation 11/11, a new initiative providing no-cost virtual consults to all U.S. veterans on Veterans Day, November 11. Head on over to HealthcareNow Radio’s Friday Five to learn all about what Operation 11/11 has to offer.
Making the Cut:
Teladoc Health Ranks First In Inaugural J.D. Power Telehealth Study
Teladoc Health (@teladochealth) has received the highest rating by consumers in the Direct-to-Consumer segment in J.D. Power’s inaugural 2019 U.S. Telehealth Satisfaction Study. Leading to this accomplishment were the company’s top marks in customer service. With a score of 870, nearly 20 points above the category average, Teladoc received the highest rating and outperformed all other direct-to-consumer providers in the study.
Quality care + the highest level of customer service.
We’re honored by our ranking by @JDPower.
An affirmation of the value of the #Teladoc experience.https://t.co/o5RDeDodZn pic.twitter.com/PlpeGQiSHt— Teladoc Health (@TeladocHealth) November 6, 2019
Upcoming Events:
ATA2020 Annual Conference and Expo
What: ATA2020 Annual Conference and Expo
When: May 3 – 5, 2020
Where: Phoenix, AZ
Hashtag: #ATA20
ATA2020 Annual Conference and Expo – Get a head start on next year’s conference It’s never too early to start planning. Register now.
CMS Covered Telehealth Services
You can download the list of services payable under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule when furnished via telehealth on the CMS website.
Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP)
The Center for Connected Health Policy (@CCHPCA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to maximize telehealth’s ability to improve health outcomes, care delivery, and cost effectiveness. Follow CCHP for the latest in telehealth policy and news.