How is virtual healthcare used to benefit patients and care givers? What are the newest innovations in virtual care technology? How do telehealth and telemedicine fit into the realm of virtual healthcare? We have our finger on the pulse and are striving to report the latest developments around virtual healthcare.
Industry News
Andor Health Awarded Contract with Vizient for Ambient AI & Virtual Collaboration Technologies at Scale
Andor Health, the AI company reimagining virtual care with the #1 healthcare AI software infrastructure ThinkAndor®, is excited to announce it has been awarded a national contract with Vizient.
Teladoc Health to Acquire Catapult Health, Advancing Integrated Care Strategy
Teladoc Health, the global leader in virtual care, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Catapult Health, a provider of virtual preventive care services. The company plans to leverage Catapult Health’s innovative approach to patient-centric at-home diagnostic testing, as well as its high-touch engagement and clinical support model, to complement Teladoc Health’s industry-leading suite of integrated solutions.
VSee Health Partners with Florida Health System to Expand Telehealth Services
VSee Health has secured a contract with a leading Florida health system to develop a telehealth platform supporting home care, community health programs, and hospital-based services. The partnership aims to improve care coordination and make healthcare more accessible to patients across various settings.
Health Wagon & UVA Health Partner with TytoCare to Expand Telehealth Access
The Health Wagon in Wise, Va., and UVA Health in Charlottesville, Va., have joined forces to improve healthcare access for uninsured families through the distribution of TytoCare devices. This innovative initiative seeks to bridge gaps in rural healthcare by equipping families with advanced, user-friendly medical technology that delivers clinical-grade diagnostic capabilities from the comfort of their homes.
NMC Health Partners with Access TeleCare to Launch Tele-Pulmonary and Critical Care Service
NMC Health is pleased to announce another addition to its growing partnership with Access TeleCare. Following the successful launch of tele-nephrology last summer, inpatients at NMC Health Medical Center will also have access to pulmonary and critical care specialists via telemedicine, starting January 22, 2025.
Product News
Vitalacy Launches AI Virtual Care Solution for Enhanced Patient Safety and Remote Monitoring
Vitalacy, Inc., a provider of patient safety technology, is proud to announce the launch of its AI-driven Virtual Care solution, designed to enhance patient safety, reduce hospital falls, and optimize hospital efficiency through 24/7 AI-powered remote monitoring.
Teladoc Health Connects Digital & Community Providers to Deliver Next Generation of Virtually Integrated Care
Teladoc Health, the global leader in virtual care, announced new capabilities to its purpose-built, proprietary care delivery platform, called Prism, that will strengthen its ability to coordinate care with digital health partners and community care providers. New benefits to clinicians and patients include advanced referrals to Teladoc Health’s digital and in-person care partners, while also increasing the value of each virtual care visit, using data insights to support clinicians in closing care gaps and improving population health for sponsoring employers and health plans.
Policy News
ATA Action Addresses Rumors Regarding Telehealth Extensions
ATA Action, the advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, addressed rumors, mistakenly claiming that telehealth services will not be extended past the March 31 deadline.
ATA Action Calls for Meaningful Changes to DEA’s Special Registration for Telemedicine and Limited State Telemedicine Registrations Proposed Rule
ATA Action submitted concerns and detailed recommendations on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s proposed rule to establish special registrations for the remote prescribing of controlled substances without requiring an in-person visit. While many aspects of the rule are workable for the telehealth community, without meaningful changes, significant gaps will remain, leaving too many patients without access to necessary care.
To Read
What is the Role of Telehealth in Healthcare? by GlobalMed – Telehealth, a modern innovation in healthcare, has rapidly become an essential component of the medical ecosystem. By leveraging technology to deliver care remotely, telehealth has revolutionized how patients access medical services and how providers deliver them.
Telehealth does not boost low-value care, study finds – New research reveals that telehealth was associated with slightly lower use of, and spending on, certain low-value tests, which indicates that it could help cut unnecessary healthcare spending.
To Listen
Our HealthcareNOW Radio Telehealth Playlist
The Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines telehealth as “the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.” To learn more and find out about the latest in telehealth tune in to the episodes on this playlist. Additionally, be sure to read HCNR’s Friday Five which recaps the site’s month long concentration on telehealth.
Defining the Industry According to the AAFP
Telemedicine is the practice of medicine using technology to deliver care at a distance. It occurs using a telecommunications infrastructure between a patient (at an originating or spoke site) and a physician or other practitioner licensed to practice medicine (at a distant or hub site).
Virtual Care is a patient service model for healthcare providers.
Telehealth refers to a broad collection of electronic and telecommunications technologies that support health care delivery and services from distant locations. Telehealth technologies support virtual medical, health, and education services.
Hashtags to follow for updates on Telemedicine:
Telehealth.HHS.gov
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, we don’t have to choose between medical care and social distancing. When patients can get health care through telehealth — and doctors can provide it — we protect ourselves and our communities. The Telehealth.HHS.gov website provides information about the latest federal efforts to support and promote telehealth services.
The American Telemedicine Association Events
ATA is a non-profit association based in Washington DC with a membership network of more than 10,000 industry leaders and healthcare professionals. We are a leading telehealth association helping to transform healthcare by improving the quality, equity and affordability of healthcare throughout the world. Find their next event.
Upcoming Events
ATA Nexus 2025 (@AmericanTelemed)
What: ATA Nexus 2025
When: May 3 – 6, 2025
Where: New Orleans, LA
Event Hashtag: #ATANexus
Register here.
Nexus 2025 will convene leading healthcare delivery organizations and the solution providers that support them, government agencies, payors, and other stakeholders to share critical insights and build action plans that enable virtual care as an indispensable care modality and permanent part of healthcare delivery. Nexus 2025 is where the future of healthcare is being built.
Be sure to check out the complete list of upcoming events from the American Telemedicine Association.