Telemedicine News & Updates 8-9-2017

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Posted By: Annmarie Budniak August 9, 2017

Stay up to date on the latest and join the conversation with #Telehealth and #Telemedicine.

U.K. Jumps Aboard the Telemedicine Kiosk Train
Telemedicine kiosks are not a brand new concept. They have been popping up in large companies, retail pharmacies and other group facilities around the world. Depending on the circumstances some have been convenient and successful while others have bombed. The latest development from the U.K. is MedicSpot (@medicspot_uk) the self-proclaimed “most affordable, easiest and, quickest way to see a private general practitioner.” These little clinics are located in pharmacies throughout the U.K.

Fruit Street Health focused on Delivering CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program raises Additional Physician Funding
Fruit Street Health (@FruitStreetNews), a digital health and telehealth startup focused on delivering the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program and other chronic disease prevention programs, has raised an additional $3 million since its last funding announcement in MedCity News a year ago on June 1st, 2016. This additional $3 million of equity capital, which brings Fruit Street’s total funding to $8.4 million, has come exclusively from physician investors and brings the total number of physicians who have invested in Fruit Street to over 200. The lead investor was Dr. Jeremy Tucker who is a senior emergency medicine physician on the board of directors of Fruit Street.

Jonathan Linkous Departs ATA After 24 Years As CEO
After 24 years as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Telemedicine Association (@AmericanTelemed), Jon Linkous is stepping down. “Jon was integral in the formation of the ATA and the telehealth industry,” said Peter Yellowlees, MD, MBBS, ATA’s current Board President. “We thank Jon for his many years of service and his significant contributions to ATA and the industry he helped create.” Dr. Sabrina Smith, ATA’s current Chief Operating Officer, will take on the role of Interim CEO. There will be a search to fill the position permanently.

Call for Participation for the ATA 2018 Annual Conference & Tradeshow
The American Telemedicine Association has announced its Call for Participation for the ATA 2018 Annual Conference & Tradeshow. ATA invites speakers to submit a proposal that addresses important issues facing the telemedicine industry. This year ATA is curating a robust education program that will include innovative presentation formats including case studies by telehealth professionals, immersive panel discussions, and other cutting edge adult learning formats. ATA welcomes all new ideas and encourages forward thinking presentations. Review the entire guide that includes all the factors that ATA looks for in determining learning content, delivery, and design to fit the program.

Arizona Based Telemedicine Provider GlobalMed, Featured in White House Press Conference Aug. 3, 2017
GlobalMed (@GlobalMed_USA), a provider of telemedicine delivery solutions, was honored to be highlighted in the August 3 White House press conference with its ClinicalAccess Station, TotalExam 3 Camera, Transportable Exam Station, and eNcounter software platform. During the conference, President Trump, along with Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Dr. David J. Shulkin, demonstrated telemedicine innovations that improve veteran healthcare. [tweet_dis excerpt=”Congrats @GlobalMed_USA on @WhiteHouse highlighting your #telehealth solutions #doctorsbagofthefuture”]Tweet This[/tweet_dis]

eazyScripts Announces Closing of Series A Funding with Bluff Point Associates
eazyScripts (@eazyscripts), a provider of e-prescribing software for telemedicine, announced that it has completed $2 Million in Series A financing through private equity firm Bluff Point Associates. eazyScripts has secured $2 Million in Series A funding with plans to aggressively expand product development and sales footprint.

Teladoc: A Company With An Industry All To Itself
Teladoc (@teladoc) is the largest telehealth company in the world and continues to grow daily. The company, which has a 75% market share of the telehealth industry, provides connections between doctors and patients 24/7. Teledoc’s virtual doctor’s visits can be used for common illnesses and also behavioral health.

The VA’S New App Tries to Reach Vets Wherever They Live
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs operates one of the country’s largest telemedicine programs, with some 700,000 veterans receiving medical care and advice via their computers and mobile devices last year alone. Now, the VA is announcing a drastic expansion of that program with the launch of a new tool called VA Video Connect, which it intends to expand to every VA hospital across the country.

Geriatrics Escalating Demand in Telemedicine and M-Health Convergence Market
MarketResearchReports.biz (@mrrbizreport) announces the availability of a fresh report in their repository, titled “Global Telemedicine and M-Health Convergence Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022.” The report is a result of rigorous research by a group of professional analysts, aspiring to represent the current scenario as well as the future prospects of the evolving global market for telemedicine and M-health convergence. The report includes in-depth assessment of all factors that will impact the inflow of the demand, or may restrain it. To showcase the potential of smaller aspects of the market for telemedicine and M-health convergence, the report segments it on the basis of product type, application, and geography, as well as profiles a number of leading companies in order to highlight the competitive landscape.

2 Representatives introduce bipartisan ‘Evidence-Based Telehealth Expansion Act’
Beckers Hospital Review (@beckershr) reports Reps. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., and Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, introduced a bill that would help Medicare providers expand telehealth services. The bill would allow the HHS secretary to review Medicare services and determine which are appropriate for telehealth. It would also authorize the HHS secretary to waive existing restrictions on those services if they reduce cost while maintaining or improving quality.

Arizona Telemedicine Program and Arizona Center for Rural Health Aim to Make Rheumatology Accessible in Arizona
If you need to see a rheumatologist in Arizona, chances are you’re going to have to wait—especially if you’re in a rural area. These specialists are in short supply in the United States, and the demand for them is high as the population ages. To address this workforce issue without making patients travel long distances or wait months for an appointment to see a rheumatologist, the Arizona Telemedicine Program (@UA_ATP) at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and the University of Arizona Center for Rural Health at the UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health partnered to create a program in Arizona that will train primary care providers to treat rheumatic diseases.

Upcoming Events:

SPS 2017 Telehealth Conference
What: 3rd National Telemedicine & Telehealth Service Provider Showcase
When: October 2-3, 2017
Where: Phoenix, AZ
Event Hashtag: #TTSPS17

ATA’s Fall Forum Edge 2017
What: ATA’s Fall Forum Edge 2017
When: October 2 – 4, 2017
Where: Washington, DC
Event Hashtag: #ATAEDGE

ATA 2018 Annual Conference & Tradeshow
What: ATA 2018 Annual Conference & Tradeshow
When: April 29 – May 1, 2018
Where: Chicago, IL
Event Hashtag: #ATA2018

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.