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:
HIMSS19 Highlight – Joel Barthelemy, CEO of GlobalMed
On this highlight interview, Joel Barthelemy discusses the trajectory of virtual care over the past decade and how virtual care is becoming more ubiquitous, and therefore, saving more lives while reducing healthcare costs.
American Well Unveils Next Generation of Multi-Function Telehealth Carts at HIMSS 2019
American Well® (@americanwell), a U.S. telehealth platform, announced the upcoming launch of the American Well 250 Cart, the most comprehensive cart to connect you to the American Well provider network, giving you access to thousands of specialists on demand. This is also the first integrated telemedicine device brought to market by American Well, after merging with Avizia.
Netsmart and American Well Partner to Address the Opioid Crisis at HIMSS19
Netsmart, a provider of electronic health records (EHRs), solutions and services to more than 25,000 behavioral health, social services and post-acute organizations and American Well®, a U.S. telehealth platform, debuted a new approach to addressing the growing opioid crisis in the United States, as part of the Interoperability Showcase at the 2019 HIMSS Conference Feb. 11-14 in Orlando, Florida.
Teladoc Health Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results
Teladoc Health, Inc. (@teladochealth), a virtual care company, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2018.
Vidyo Integrates Telemedicine Video Conferencing Solution With Tyto Care For Remote Examination Capabilities
Vidyo, Inc. (@Vidyo), a provider of embedded real-time video solutions, announced a planned integration with TytoCare, the healthcare industry’s first all-in-one modular device and telehealth platform for on-demand, remote medical exams. Vidyo will integrate its VidyoConnect telemedicine video conferencing solution with the TytoCare examination device to enhance remote examination capabilities for healthcare providers.
MDLIVE Introduces Asynchronous Visit Capabilities on its Virtual Healthcare Platform for Hospitals and Health Systems
MDLIVE Inc. (@MDLIVEInc), which is focused on delivering high-quality, convenient, cost-effective online medical, dermatological and behavioral healthcare, recently launched MDLIVE Go, a new product that reflects the company’s commitment to further enhance the flexibility and power of the MDLIVE healthcare platform. MDLIVE Go enables the growing roster of hospital and health system clients to offer both asynchronous and synchronous virtual visits on a single platform.
VA exceeds 1 million video telehealth visits in FY2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has reached a telehealth milestone, achieving more than 1 million video telehealth visits in one fiscal year (FY18), a 19 percent increase in video telehealth visits over the prior year.
New Research from Zipnosis Reveals Over 96 Percent of Health Systems Plan to Expand Their Virtual Care Service Amid Slow Industry Adoption
Zipnosis (@Zipnosis), a virtual care software company, released findings from its 2018 On-Demand Virtual Care Benchmark Survey in a new report analyzing how health systems are deploying and using virtual care. The results of the report indicate that there will be a major increase in virtual care use by health systems over the next 12 months, primarily driven by the enhanced efficiency that virtual care offers providers.
SOC Telemed Selected as Exclusive Telemedicine Provider for Prime Healthcare
SOC Telemed (@SOCTelemed), an acute care telemedicine company, announces its selection by Prime Healthcare to deliver a scalable and flexible technology platform for Prime’s national telemedicine operations. Prime Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers with 45 hospitals in 14 states, will use SOC’s Telemed IQ to support its standardization efforts across both clinical care and workflow.
Health Navigator AI Decision-Support Tools that Improve the Patient and Provider Experience
Hospitals and healthcare organizations around the world are looking for ways to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into patient and provider-facing workflows. Health Navigator (@HlthNavigator) has developed a set of AI tools, delivered through web services, which organizations can use to easily develop health bot, symptom checker, and telehealth applications.
Entertainment and AV Services for Better Patient Experience Valued by Dialysis Clinic Patients
TeleHealth Services (@TeleHealth_Svcs) recently completed its 3,000th installation of audiovisual and entertainment systems serving dialysis centers and their patients. Dialysis centers in each state across the nation, including four of the top five clinical treatment providers, rely on TeleHealth Services to help them offer engaging patient entertainment and video education in a more home-like environment during treatments that typically last four hours per visit
In State News:
The Good and the Bad of the New MassHealth Telemedicine Rule
The National Law Review reports that the Massachusetts Medicaid Program (known locally as MassHealth) issued a new All Provider Bulletin in January, setting forth new policies for certain behavioral health services delivered to MassHealth covered patients. The guidance received mixed responses from the telehealth industry.
SC continues to invest in telehealth, but internet connections lag
South Carolina’s government has spent $68 million in one-time commitments since 2013 on telemedicine. Health leaders are proud of their work. Every resident now lives within an hour of connecting to a stroke expert. Prisoners can “visit” with mental health experts virtually. A truck equipped for telemedicine, run by Clemson University, travels across the state bringing health care to places it can’t be found on an average day. But it’s no secret that progress is stunted if people don’t have internet access.
Georgia Senate OK’s Out-of-State Telemedicine, Telehealth Parity
eWellness Healthcare Corporation, a provider of the state of the art PHZIO platform for the physical therapy (“PT”) and telehealth markets, announced that Georgia Senate OKs Out-of-State Telemedicine, Telehealth Parity. The two bills approved this week by Georgia’s senate would enable out-of-state providers to practice telemedicine in Georgia and set guidelines for payer coverage of telehealth services.
Upcoming Events:
ATA2019 Annual Conference and Expo
What: ATA019 Annual Conference and Expo
When: April 14-16, 2019
Where: New Orleans, LA
Hashtag: #ATA19
ATA2019 Annual Conference and Expo – At ATA2019, healthcare professionals and leaders from an array of healthcare and technology sectors unite as one, cohesive community. Attendees learn, innovate, network, and return to their organizations with actionable insights, long-lasting connections, and an enhanced appreciation of telehealth—and how it transforms the way we deliver healthcare.
Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are now available for #ATA19! Don’t miss the opportunity for your organization to gain brand visibility in the telemedicine and virtual care industries. Learn why your team should join us April 14-16 in New Orleans: https://t.co/ZlNfHnTokA pic.twitter.com/UJuKyqGlT0
— American Telemed (@AmericanTelemed) October 9, 2018
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.