Telemedicine News & Updates 9-20-2017

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Posted By: Annmarie Budniak September 20, 2017

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

TelaCare Adds Medical Specialty Services to Provide Greater Access and More Health Care Options to Patients
TelaCare (@telacareinc), a fastest growing telemedicine company, announced that it has added unlimited access to board certified Pharmacists, Dentists, Optometrists, Dietitians, Sports Medicine and Alternative Medicine professionals. These specialties will provide unlimited no additional cost consultations in addition to its telehealth services on TelaCare, one of the fastest growing telemedicine companies.

Telemedicine interest spikes during Hurricane Irma
A few days before Hurricane Irma made landfall, Florida Hospital and Nemours Children’s Hospital decided to give the community free access to their telemedicine services. The response surprised them. More than 2,700 people signed up for Florida Hospital’s eCare between Sept. 8 and 10. At Nemours, officials saw a 554 percent jump in the number of people who installed the CareConnect app.

57% of Medicare Plan Members Unsure if Plan Offers Telemedicine, Another 31% Say it is Not Offered, HealthMine Survey
In the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, many seniors have more limited access to their doctors and medical facilities. This has heightened the importance of digital communications and telemedicine to help guide patients in need. Yet, a HealthMine survey revealed that 57% of Medicare health plan members aged 65+ said they are unsure if their health plan offers telemedicine; another 31% say that telemedicine is not offered by their plan. The data comes from a HealthMine survey of 500 Medicare health consumers.

2017 Aging in Place $50K Challenge
AARP Foundation and Rock Health (@rock_health) are launching the 2017 Aging in Place $50K Challenge and calling on digital health startups to apply. AARP Foundation and Rock Health are looking for digital health startups who work to provide innovative solutions that reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization for older Americans. Eligible competitors have a good handle on product-market-fit and an ARR (annual recurring revenue) of at least $100K.

Telemedicine visits save families time and money
Patients and families who use telemedicine for sports medicine appointments saved an average of $50 in travel costs and 51 minutes in waiting and visit time, according to a new study by Nemours Children’s Health System. Each telemedicine visit also saved the health system an average of $24 per patient, researchers reported at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition.

Call9 seals $24 mln Series B
Call9 (@Call9Medical), a Silicon Valley-founded startup now based in Brooklyn, NY, has raised a $24M Series B financing round to scale its care delivery model, known for reinventing Emergency Medicine in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. Call9 powers a sophisticated, high-touch technology platform and multi-disciplinary healthcare service, which delivers care to patients at their bedside. The company embeds highly-skilled clinical care specialists on-site, in nursing homes, giving patients 24/7 real-time access to Emergency Medicine physicians and specialists, without brick and mortar limitations. Call9 defines new standards and measures of value for telemedicine, pulling the industry toward a new care category.

Martin General Hospital Partners with Specialists On Call to Offer Critical Care Services
Martin General Hospital, a 49-bed facility serving patients in Williamston, North Carolina and the surrounding communities has selected Specialists On Call, Inc. (@SOCTelemed), a provider of telemedicine services and technology to acute care hospitals, as its partner to offer critical care services. The program went live August 8, 2017 and hopes to enhance the patient experience through increased and quicker access to specialists.

Telemedicine startup checks into under-construction office development
Feeling congested in its current digs, a RiNo health tech startup has found a cure for cramped quarters. CirrusMD (@CirrusMD), a telemedicine startup, plans to move into 6,500 square feet at Catalyst HTI next spring. The new office development under construction on Brighton Boulevard is targeting healthcare-related tenants.

GlobalMed is Conference Partner for ATP’s Telemedicine and Telehealth Service Provider Showcase 2017
GlobalMed (@GlobalMed_USA), a developer of innovative telemedicine and telehealth technology and equipment, will be the lead sponsor of the national Telemedicine and Telehealth Service Provider Showcase. “All of us at GlobalMed are honored to be the Conference Partner of the 2017 SPS event,” said Joel E. Barthelemy, founder and CEO of the company. “We believe SPS is one of the premier gatherings for thought leaders driving the needed changes in the delivery of healthcare.”

This startup is raising funds to build a telehealth service — for the family pet
Pet owners are very invested in their animal companions, and now more than ever they are turning to technology to help them manage their interspecies families. If Seattle startup Rover is any indication, the area is ripe for tech solutions — the pet walking and boarding platform has grown astronomically since it was founded in 2011 and has raised more than $150 million. Now another Seattle startup, Petriage (@Petriage), is hoping to make its mark in the pet tech market.

In state news:
Texas Medical Board releases telemedicine rules
Modern Healthcare reports that he Texas Medical Board on Friday released revised rules that adjust how telemedicine providers in the state—the last large market without rules to regulate video doctor consultations—are allowed to treat patients.

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.