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:
Healthcare de Jure
Healthcare de Jure airs weekdays at 2:00 pm, 10:00 pm, and 6:00 am ET. On this episode, Matt’s guest is Dr. Dean Smith (@DeanSmithGM), CMIO, GlobalMed (@GlobalMed_USA) discussing implementation and use of telemedicine including how increase remote access; how State Department experience influenced views and provided insights into systems across world.
Collaboration News:
American Well® and Cisco to Expand Telehealth in the Home, Via the T.V.
American Well (@americanwell), a U.S. telehealth company, announced it is working with Cisco Systems to extend care delivery from hospitals and health systems into the home. For this initiative, the companies will leverage their respective expertise in healthcare infrastructure and collaboration technology, to transform the telehealth options currently available to elder patients. Initial plans include converting in-home television sets into American Well patient CarePoints for broad based, telehealth care delivery.
Financial News:
Teladoc Health Strategic Investment: Vida Health Raises $30 Million in Series C Funding
Vida Health (@vida), a personalized virtual care platform for physical and behavioral health, announced the close of $30M in Series C investment. Strategic investors include GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation, Teladoc Health and Workday Ventures. Existing investors from previous rounds also participated.
Product News
Medable Launches Global Trial-Fit™ Telemedicine Solution to Improve Patient Access, Engagement, and Retention in Clinical Trials, Worldwide
Silicon Valley-based Medable Inc. (@MedableInc) continues to disrupt clinical trials with the first telemedicine solution, specifically designed for clinical trials. Medable’s Trial-Fit Telemedicine has been developed and designed to address critical trial barriers of low patient retention and lack of access.
EyecareLive Unveils Enhanced Responsible Telemedicine Platform for Optometry and Ophthalmology
EyecareLive (@thecooldoctors) announced the release of their latest update – EyecareLive 2.0. EyecareLive was built by doctors, for doctors, with a mission to strengthen the doctor-patient relationship by providing a comprehensive telemedicine platform that enhances patient care. EyecareLive is proud to meet and comply with all aspects of the American Optometry Association Guidelines for Responsible Telemedicine.
To Read:
Why Next-Gen Mobile Networks Will Be A Boost To Healthcare
With faster and more stable data connections, telemedicine—which provides medical diagnoses and patient care remotely and electronically—will reshape healthcare. For practitioners, next-gen mobile networks make way for improved education and collaboration. And for patients around the globe? Smarter and more accessible care, regardless of location, is on the horizon. Consider the possibilities for patients living in remote locations if more specialists performed care virtually and surgical robots were mainstream, reports Forbes.
2019 Senior Consumer Survey Finds 52 Percent of Americans Ages 65+ are Open to Telehealth
Recently, from America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Institute and Expo, in Nashville, Tennessee, American Well® released findings from its Telehealth Index: 2019 Senior Consumer Survey, a dataset from the company’s broader Consumer Telehealth Index, to be issued later this Summer. Survey results show that 52 percent of Americans, over the age of 65, are willing to use telehealth, with lead motivating factors identified as “faster service,” “time savings/convenience,” “cost savings,” and “better access to healthcare professionals.”
In State News:
AHN Partners with Mercy Virtual to Enhance Critical Care Services at Community Hospitals through Innovative Telemedicine Program
Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Highmark Health announced a unique partnership with Mercy Virtual to establish an innovative telehealth model that will enhance the delivery of critical care services in communities across western Pennsylvania.
Telemedicine finds footing in Cy-Fair area
Health care costs in Texas continue to grow year after year, but providers across the Cy-Fair health care industry say an emerging trend is poised to cut costs and time for patients and doctors alike. Telemedicine in Texas so far has been mainly used for acute care—issues such as colds, coughs, urinary tract infections, pink eye and sinusitis. However, it has also proven to be useful when it comes to diagnostic procedures and follow-up visits to check in on a patient after a surgery, said Dr. Brian Bobb, the director of medical operations and consumer solutions for Memorial Hermann Medical Group.
SSM Health’s ‘Virtual Visit’ Treats Common Ailments with No Insurance Necessary
If you’re under the weather because of a suspected sinus infection, allergies or heartburn, a new program through SSM Health could put you on the road to recovery without you ever stepping out the door. The St. Louis-based health care system officially launched its “virtual visits” program last month for residents of Missouri, Southern Illinois, Wisconsin and Oklahoma after a soft rollout in February.
Making the Cut:
SnapMD Honored with Third Consecutive MedTech Breakthrough Award for Industry-Leading Virtual Care Management Telemedicine Platform
SnapMD (@snapmdinc), a telehealth technology innovator and solutions provider, announced that MedTech Breakthrough, an independent organization that recognizes the top companies and solutions in the global health and medical technology market, has selected the company as the winner of its “Best Overall Videoconferencing” award in the 2019 MedTech Breakthrough Awards program. SnapMD was chosen for its advancements with the state-of-the-art Virtual Care Management (VCM) telemedicine platform.
Upcoming Events:
VSee Telehealth Secrets Conference 2019
What: Telehealth Secrets 2019: Hidden Growth Markets. Breaking Tech. Happy Providers.
When: October 2-4, 2019
Where: Silicon Valley, CA
Twitter: @VSee
Telehealth Secrets 2019: Hidden Growth Markets. Breaking Tech. Happy Providers. – Stay on top of exploding telehealth markets. Find the right partners to make a true impact on healthcare. Reimagine every aspect of healthcare in a globally connected smart world — Early Bird Registrations ends July 1st.
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.