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Membership Emails
Below is a sample of the emails you can expect to receive when signed up to ctel.
Telehealth stakeholders stay engaged and up-to-date by attending CTeL Executive Telehealth Summits each spring and fall held in Washington, DC.
CTeL Summits are the exclusive forum for substantive discussions on telehealth – unique meetings that serve to shape legal and regulatory policy at state and federal levels. Learn more at http://www.ctelsummit.org/
Read our blog ‘Telehealth Buzz’ at http://ctel.org/library/telehealthbuzz/
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Thank you, Christa Natoli, CTeL Deputy Executive Director 202.499.6970 ChristaNatoli@ctel.org
If you received this in error or do not want to subscribe, simply ignore this email and do not click the button.
Robert J. Waters Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law, P.O. Box 15850, Washington, DC 20003, USA Request generated by: 69.16.226.57 Date: January 30, 2020 10:07 -0500 URL:
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Noah,
Thank you for signing up to receive information and updates from CTeL. I just wanted to take a minute to personally thank you for joining our network.
For additional information, I encourage you to sign up and view past webinars that CTeL has hosted. You can find those HERE. For information regarding our Summits that are hosted twice a year, please visit: www.ctelsummit.org.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me directly at 202.975.0755, or I would be happy to schedule a call on your behalf with our Deputy Director, Christa Natoli.
Thank you for partnering with CTeL, we look forward to connecting with you.
Best,
April
SCHEDULE CALL
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Hi Noah,
Would you mind giving me your thoughts on this agenda for our Summit? Here is the agenda:
www.ctelsummit.org/agenda
I have time this week and next to talk. Here is my virtual calendar, feel free to self select a time that works best for you:
www.calendly.com/christanatoli
Thanks again for your help!
Christa
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Join us this fall as we continue our legacy of policy leadership
History In The Making
CTeL forged the path for modern-day virtual care delivery. This fall, we will set the agenda for post-COVID telehealth policy and the future of digital health.
Join us as we continue our legacy of policy leadership with Congress, the White House, and the Administration.
Now Open: Early Bird Registration
CTeL Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit Early Bird Registration for December 1st- 4th, 2020 is NOW OPEN!Take advantage of the Early Bird Rate of $1,890.00 until Monday, August 31st! Your CTeL Fall 2020 Registration includes an all access 6-month CTeL membership with benefits.
CTeL Membership Benefits:
Summit Access | Live Virtual Event
Advocacy | Capital Hill Day Access
Administration Meetings: White House, HHS & CMS Meetings
Research | 50 State Surveys & Policy Analysis
Networking and Business Development Opportunities
Working Groups, Coalitions, and Webinars
More Information
For more information, book time with our Executive Director, Christa Natoli. For immediate assistance, reach out to April Jenkins or Aileen Berquist.
REGISTER TODAY
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Tomorrow is the KICKOFF to CTeL''s Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit! - Don''t Miss the Telehealth Event of the YEAR!
LAST CHANCE: The CTeL Summit Kicks Off Tomorrow!
Join us virtually for the: Telehealth Event of the Year!
December 2-4, 2020 at the CTeL Fall 2020 Digital Summit
Summit Participants have access to:
All Summit sessions, live and recorded
Capitol Hill Day
Virtual meetings with Administrative agencies
6 months of membership benefits
REGISTER HERE
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Calling all Exhibitors for the CTeL Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit
Exhibit at the Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit
This year our beautiful virtual exhibit hall will host research posters and vendor exhibits. Space is limited, so apply today!
December 1-4, CTeL will host a select group of 20 exhibitors and posters.
Exhibitors will have the opportunity to engage with all 150 attendees at our Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit.
Submit your poster abstract or exhibit inquiry between September 10th and October 10th.
Reach out to April Noel, CTeL conference manager, for more information.
To be considered, an individual or company must be a registered and paid attendee for the 2020 Fall Digital Health Summit.
Participation in the Summit does not guarantee a spot in the exhibit hall.
Express Interest
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New Telehealth Bill Aims to Extend COVID Telehealth
Last week Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Bill Johnson (R-OH), David Schweikert (R-AZ), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Protecting Access to Post-COVID 19 Telehealth Act of 2020.
The bill makes permanent certain telehealth changes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented during the public health emergency.
Some of those changes include eliminating most geographic and originating site restrictions; continuing reimbursement for telehealth for 90 days beyond the end of the public health emergency; and making permanent the disaster waiver authority.
The bill has received support from many in the health and telehealth industry.
Read the full story here.
Health System Using Drone Delivery in New m-Health Rollout
North Carolina health system Wake Forest Baptist Health has rolled out a new m-health program using drones.
The drones deliver Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and specialty infusion medicines to sites within the health network.
Wake Forest is not the first health system to employ drones: organizations in California and Florida have also started using drones to deliver health services.
The health system is partnering with Matternet and UPS Flight Forward.
Read the full story here.
Language Interpretation Services Lagging Behind Overall Telehealth Growth
The pandemic caused an exponential growth in telehealth use, but nearly 10% of the United State's population with limited English proficiency is being left behind.
For telehealth to fully support patients, language interpretation services must be fully developed and integrated.
Federal law mandates that health care providers that receive federal funding must provide language access to patients.
The CEO of Certified Languages International notes that very few telehealth platforms are actually working on video interpretation services, despite the federal mandate.
Read the full story here.
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Submit your research idea!
You''re Invited: CTeL''s Call for Research Meeting
Join us as we discuss potential research topics. Submit your research idea directly to our team!
What: Call for Research Meeting
When: Thursday, October 1, 2020 @ 1:00 PM ET
Who: Telehealth Community Leaders
Where:https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/957685581, or join by phone: +1 (224) 501-3412 | Access Code: 957-685-581
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New Bill Considers Permanent Telehealth Coverage for Therapists
A new House bill aims to permanently extend emergency telehealth measures for certain providers.
The Expanded Telehealth Access Act "would ensure Medicare coverage for telehealth services provided by physical and occupational therapists [PTs & OTs], audiologists[,] and speech and language pathologists."
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) suspended current limitations on telehealth use and coverage for PTs and OTs for the duration of COVID.
The bill would make the CMS waiver permanent and allow the Secretary of Health and Human services to expand the list of eligible providers.
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), eHealth Initiative and Foundation, and others have expressed support.
Supporters note that the bill faces an uphill battle for approval on its own, but hope that the bill can be combined with similar bills in a bipartisan package.
Read the full story here.
Alliance for Connected Care Advocates for Telehealth Licensure Compact
The Alliance for Connected Care seeks the aid of federal and state policymakers in making it easier for health professionals to treat patients via telehealth regardless of the patient's location.
The organization lays out their reasons in the Consensus Principles on Telehealth Across State Lines, which urges support for "licensure recognition in multiple states."
While many support a move towards multi-state licensure, critics note that recent compacts still require practitioners to be licensed in multiple states.
Instead, the Alliance hopes to see a single license recognized by multiple states or one the entire country recognizes.
The goal is to ensure that states maintain their right "to regulate the practice of medicine within their borders" and "facilitate access to care across state lines."
Read the full story here.
Two Health Systems Receive Grants for Telehealth Projects That Focus on Women's Health
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is giving two health systems nearly $10 million in grants to study how telehealth can improve health outcomes for women.
The University of Washington's SISTER Study, "a six-month nationwide project aimed at improving clinical outcomes for Black/African American women living with endometrial cancer," will receive $6 million.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) will receive $3.7 million to conduct a two-year study on how telehealth can "improve perinatal treatment for women dealing with depression and anxiety."
The study also compares services delivered via telehealth with traditional in-person treatments.
For the full story, read here.
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Timely Policy Updates for the Telehealth Community
Regulations are changing quickly to meet the demands of the new pandemic. CTeL has developed a new webinar series to get you the up-to-date information you need.
Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Privacy and Security are touchstones of modern healthcare. But in the face of a rapidly spreading virus, the federal government will exercise "enforcement discretion" and waive penalties for certain uses of non HIPAA-compliant technology in telehealth encounters. Join Adam Solander, Partner at King & Spalding, as he covers these changes and the guardrails that remain in place to protect patients.
Medicare and Medicaid: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
To meet demand during the pandemic, CMS has made sweeping changes to Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services. Across the country, state Medicaid programs are expanding reimbursement for telehealth encounters. Join us to hear the latest from Rebecca Burke, Partner, and Megan LaSuer, Associate, of Powers Law.
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees and free for June Summit attendees.
Webinar Registration Here
Summit Registration Here
Coming Soon
Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Licensure During the Pandemic
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Calling all Exhibitors for the CTeL Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit
Exhibit at the Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit
This year our virtual exhibit hall will host research posters and vendor exhibits. Space is limited, so apply today!
December 1-4, CTeL will host a select group of 20 exhibitors and posters.
Exhibitors will have the opportunity to engage with all 150 attendees at our Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit.
Submit your poster abstract or exhibit inquiry between September 10th and October 31.
Reach out to April Noel, CTeL conference manager, for more information.
To be considered, an individual or company must be a registered and paid attendee for the 2020 Fall Digital Health Summit.
Participation in the Summit does not guarantee a spot in the exhibit hall.
Express Interest
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AMA Foundation Collaboration Helps Chicago Providers Combat Hypertension
The American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation recently donated $100,000 to West Side United, a Chicago-based organization that "uses telehealth to help underserved residents monitor hypertension."
The donation is a part of collaboration between AMA and American Heart Association (AHA) to help providers tackle high rates of hypertension.
In addition to this recent donation, AMA and AHA, in partnership with other West Side providers, distributed 1,000 mHealth devices to residents with hypertension.
Chicago's West Side is not the only area receiving attention: organizations across the country are launching connected health programs in places like beauty salons and barbershops in a bid to reach medically underserved communities.
Read the full story here.
Ohio Health Groups Partner to Provide Telemedicine to Amazon Customers
Healthcare Advisory Network and BasiCare Plus, two Ohio-based health organizations, announced their partnership "to offer a telemedicine solution with free prescription drugs to Amazon customers."
Offering telemedicine services through Amazon allows for inexpensive health care and avoids costly copays and deductibles, said Health Advisory Network Vice President Mike Fitzgerald.
Additionally, BasiCare Plus will be one of Amazon's only telemedicine providers to require no copay for most generic drugs.
Patients interested in this option can visit Amazon and search for BasiCare Plus.
For the full story, read here.
Telecommunication for Medicare Home Health Services Approved on Permanent Basis
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their finalized Home Health Prospective Payment System rule on October 29, 2020.
The rule "permanently authorizes use of telecommunications technology as part of patient care under the Medicare home health benefit."
Effective January 1, 2021, home health agencies (HHAs) can use telecommunications and receive reimbursement for such services as long as six conditions are met.
Telecommunication technologies are not considered reimbursable telehealth themselves as defined by Medicare.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and CMS Administrator Seema Verma note "the Medicare home health benefit is likely to remain in-person at its core."
Furthermore, the rule does not adopt the full scope of authorized telehealth per COVID-19 waivers.
Once the HHS public health emergency declaration expires, the telehealth blanket waivers will also end.
For the full story, read here.
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Certification, Accreditation, and Next Steps
Speaker Spotlight
The Future of Telehealth Education
Aileen Berquist
CTeL
Garry Carneal
Schooner Strategies
Shawn Griffin
URAC
Tina Gustin
Old Dominion University
Kristi Sidel
Avera eCARE
Telehealth is booming like never before and practitioners, hospitals, and health systems want to know how to get started while staying compliant.
Join us at the Virtual Summit, June 16-19, for a panel highlighting telehealth education, organizational accreditation, and why you need both.
Panel Speaker
Aileen Berquist, MPS, External Affairs Coordinator | The Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law
Garry Carneal, JD, MA, President and CEO | Schooner Strategies
Dr. Shawn Griffin, President and CEO | URAC
Tina Gustin, DNP, CNS, RN, Assistant Professor & Director of Telehealth Research, Innovation, and Education Center | Old Dominion University
Kristi Sidel, MHA, Director of Telemedicine Education | Avera eCARE
Register Today!
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Make sure you stay compliant
For 25 years, CTeL has been the leading source of legal, regulatory, and policy intelligence for the telehealth community.
Now you can get CTeL''s DHPP certification from the comfort of your home.
FACT 1:Telehealth use is on the rise
FACT 2:The current telehealth legal and policy environment is confusing
FACT 3:CTeL has an online learning program that can help
For Practitioners, administrators, attorneys and more! The CTeL Digital Health Policy Professional program is online, 24/7, to give you the grounding you need to do your job and stay compliant!
The rules of the road are rapidly changing and more people than ever are getting behind the wheel. Make sure you are ready to drive by taking the CTeL DHPP program.
LEARN MORE
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You don''t want to miss this.
CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Sarah Swank, Esq.
Counsel, Nixon Peabody LLP
David Ellenbogen, Esq.
General Counsel, Scott & White Health Plan
Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Thursday, April 30 at 2:00 ET
Join Nixon Peabody''s Sarah Swank and David Ellenbogen, General Counsel of the Scott & White Health Plan, for a discussion of commercial changes to telehealth coverage during the pandemic.
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
Non-Attendees Register Here
Summit Attendees
Contact aileen@ctel.org for your free registration link!
These webinars are no extra cost to June 2020 and December 2019 Summit attendees-a value of $693 for all seven webinars.
Join us at the Summit-virtually!-and get your free access today.
Register for the Summit
Coming Soon
Tuesday, May 5 at 12:30 ET: Interstate Occupational Licensure Compacts, EMAC, and the Pandemic
Past Webinars In This Series
Recording Available: Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Recording Available: Medicare and Medicaid: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Recording Available: Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Sarah Swank, Esq.
Counsel, Nixon Peabody LLP
David Ellenbogen, Esq.
General Counsel, Scott & White Health Plan
Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Thursday, April 30 at 2:00 ET
Join Nixon Peabody''s Sarah Swank and David Ellenbogen, General Counsel of the Scott & White Health Plan, for a discussion of commercial changes to telehealth coverage during the pandemic.
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
Non-Attendees Register Here
Summit Attendees
Contact aileen@ctel.org for your free registration link!
These webinars are no extra cost to June 2020 and December 2019 Summit attendees-a value of $693 for all seven webinars.
Join us at the Summit-virtually!-and get your free access today.
Register for the Summit
Coming Soon
Tuesday, May 5 at 12:30 ET: Interstate Occupational Licensure Compacts, EMAC, and the Pandemic
Past Webinars In This Series
Recording Available: Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Recording Available: Medicare and Medicaid: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Recording Available: Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
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Here is a sneak peak of our Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit Exhibitors!
LET''S GET EXHIBITING
Stop by our virtual exhibit hall December 1-4, to check out CTeL''s Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit Exhibitors!
Exhibitor Sneak Peak
Here is a sneak peak of some of the vendors exhibiting:
ezClinic
Goldsand Law
Pyramid Healthcare
MUSC
UCSF Health
Caregility
Interested in Exhibiting? We still have a few spots left! Email April Noel at april@ctel.org for more information, and to reserve your digital booth today!
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Utah Extends Telehealth Services Due to COVID
Utah Governor Gary Herbert issued an executive order after COVID cases hit a record high last week.
The order extends the State of Emergency status for Utah, which was set to expire last week.
In addition, the order suspends laws that prohibit the use of telehealth services, such as laws limiting the use of telehealth during a state of emergency.
The order took effect Saturday, September 26 and is to remain in effect until Tuesday, September 29.
Read the full story here and here.
Buckeye Institute Issues Report on New Ohio Bill
The Ohio legislature is considering a new bill, HB 679, which would expand telehealth services within the state.
The bill treats cost-sharing telehealth arrangements at the same rate as in-person visits.
The bill also does not mandate the use of audio-visual telemedicine, allowing for the use of telephone and store-and-forward technology in certain situations.
A local think tank, the Buckeye Institute, published a report detailing their support of certain provisions contained in the new legislation.
In the report, James Woodward, PhD, an analyst with the Economic Research Center at Buckeye Institute, strongly supports the state's decision not to mandate payment parity.
According to Woodward, "a payment parity mandate would steer payers away from covering telehealth services that haven't yet proven their value and stifle growth in the industry."
The report also addressed another issue separate from HB 679, the ability of clinicians to practice across state lines.
For the full story, read here.
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HHS Releases Rural Action Plan
Last week the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Rural Action Plan per request by President Trump's executive order issued in August. ? The Rural Action Plan lays out a roadmap for HHS departments to coordinate efforts to better serve rural communities in America.
According to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, "The Rural Action Plan identifies key tangible areas where HHS agencies can soon make a real difference in health outcomes of millions of Americans."
The plan specifically provides a four-point strategy with corresponding actions.
The first point focuses on building sustainable models for rural communities.
The second point emphasizes technology and innovation's role in improving healthcare, specifically telehealth.
The third point addresses ways to prevent disease and mortality.
The plan ends with an overall goal to increase rural access to care.
For the full story, read here.
Texas Representative Introduces Another Telehealth Expansion Bill
U.S. Representative Roger Williams (R-TX) introduced a new bill last week that would extend various measures from the CARES Act.
The Ensuring Telehealth Expansion Act focuses on six specific sections of the CARES Act, extending those provisions until 2025.
Those sections are Sections 3701 - 3707, which detail telehealth waivers, flexibilities, and services for Medicare and other healthcare providers.
Additionally, the bill "would also require the Government Accountability Office to report back to Congress.on the successes and challenges associated with the expansion of connected health."
Read the full story here.
Massachusetts Health Plan Launches Telehealth Program for Family Caregivers
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is launching a new telehealth program for family caregivers.
The Massachusetts-based health plan is partnering with Ceresti Health, a California-based company, "to create an education, coaching and support program for caregivers."
Even before COVID, family caregivers faced the challenges of caring for a loved one while trying to keep a stable home or work life.
The telehealth program aims to alleviate some of the burden by giving caregivers access to personalized information on how to take care of their loved ones, all available on their personal devices.
The program will be provided at no cost to family caregivers first in the Massachusetts and New Hampshire areas.
Read the full story here.
New Survey Indicates Continued Widespread Use of Tele-Mental Health
Telehealth is being used by a majority of behavioral health providers polled in a new survey.
Findings show a positive outlook for video-conferencing-based behavioral health therapies.
Researchers believe the data show that telehealth is comparable or better on multiple quality indicators compared to traditional mental health services.
Research from digital behavioral health company Tridiuum shows that over 80 percent of behavioral health companies began offering telehealth services in the last 6 months and a majority plan to continue using telehealth post-pandemic. The study also shows that telehealth use has a positive impact on several components of the patient-to-provider interaction. Clinical effectiveness, therapeutic alliances, patient disclosures, and clinical workflow all demonstrated positive outcomes from telehealth. Some examples of these outcomes are increased patient disclosure; improved patient/provider relationships; more personalized engagements; and a more streamlined clinical workflow. Interpretation of the data overall shows that patients and providers are benefiting. The survey polled 438 mostly first-time telehealth users. Read more here.
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Connecticut Bill Temporarily Extends COVID-19 Telehealth Coverage
The Connecticut House passed a bill last week extending the state's emergency measures for telehealth coverage.
The telehealth bill, HB 6001, passed unanimously in the House and was heard before the Senate this Tuesday.
The bill is now headed to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature.
The legislation addresses Medicaid and commercial payers and:
Expands the list of care providers able to use telehealth
Allows reimbursement for audio-only phone and other audio-visual telemedicine platforms, including FaceTime, Skype and Facebook Messenger;
Allows care providers to use telehealth from any location; and
Requires reimbursement parity for telehealth services, and prevents insurers from seeking co-pays or deductibles or reducing the amount of reimbursement to providers.
Read the full story here.
Idaho Task Force Consider New Telehealth Definition
An Idaho task force is examining the multiple legal definitions of telehealth in Idaho with an eye toward potential change.
Task force members raised concerns that current definitions might exclude new forms of healthcare delivery or new technologies.
Advocates of changing the definition say that a broader definition would allow for more choice in healthcare and "future-proof" the definition against advances in healthcare.
Others voiced concern that a loose definition could lead to lower quality of care. ? The task force is also discussing insurance coverage of telehealth and expanding broadband access.
The task force will finalize its recommendations this coming fall.
Read the full story here.
New HHS Report Makes the Case for Post-COVID Expansion
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released a brief on the critical role Medicare's expanded telehealth coverage played during COVID.
The report showed "the percentage of fee-for-service Medicare services accessed via telehealth jumped from 0.1% in February to almost 44% in April."
The report also discussed how quickly the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and its beneficiaries were able to adapt to the new form of healthcare delivery.
While the report implies an intent to expand telehealth coverage post-COVID-19, no specifics were mentioned.
The report also addressed concerns that telehealth interest is decreasing after a peak, stating this is an expected result of providers balancing virtual care and necessary in-person visits which were side-lined early in the pandemic.
Read the full story here.
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Patients Desire Both In-Person and Telehealth Options for Healthcare
A recent survey by OnePoll on behalf of DocASAP considered the impact of COVID on in-person and telehealth care options as well as patient preferences.
The poll seems to show that while patients like and have grown accustomed to telehealth, 44% of patients want their provider continue offering in-person services alongside telehealth.
A large majority of patients prefer that telehealth be used for administrative functions, such as appointment scheduling, reminders, and follow-ups.
Additionally, the survey showed patients want immediate care, with certain groups indicating they would only wait up to three days while others would wait up to a week.
For the full story, read here.
HHS 5-year Strategic Plan to Include Electronic Health Record Accessibility on Smartphones
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its Federal Health IT Strategic Plan (final 2020-2025) in early November.
The strategic plan is the result of efforts with more than 25 federal organizations and almost 100 public comments.
The plan contains four main objectives, with each objective followed by action steps to serve as a roadmap.
The plan "reflects the federal government's commitment to making patients' electronic health record (EHR) information accessible on their smartphones."
The plan also advocates for the adoption of better telehealth infrastructure and promotes greater competition in the health IT market by reducing barriers and obstacles to market entry.
For the full story, read here.
San Francisco Telehealth Platform Reducing ER Congestion and Providing More Effective Care
Emergency Medicine International published a study on a nurse-based telehealth platform employed by the San Francisco VA health system.
The telehealth platform, "supported by urgent care clinicians," "allows veterans to call a nurse for advice on an urgent care concern."
The study extended over a fourth-month period in 2019 and found that the majority of health concerns were effectively handled via telehealth, reducing emergency room congestion.
Any issues not resolved through telehealth were usually cases of technical difficulty or the patient's preference for in-person care.
The study revealed how effectively hospitals were able to screen patients before they even left their homes and direct them towards the correct level of care via the telehealth platform.
Read the full story here.
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Telehealth Taskforce Releases Recommendations for Policy Changes
The American Telemedicine Association, Alliance for Connected Care, and National Committee for Quality Assurance launched the Taskforce on Telehealth Policy in June.
The goal behind the taskforce was to study how telehealth was used during COVID and release recommendations based on the results.
The task force just released their report, which they say, "demonstrates that both patient and clinicians agree that remote care options should remain available after the public health emergency comes to an end."
The restrictions placed on the technology need to be reconsidered, the authors believe.
The report details changes policymakers should consider, focusing on patient safety, program integrity, data flow, care coordination, quality assurance, and total cost of care.
For the full story, read here.
Connected Health Initiative Expresses Support for the Telehealth Modernization Act
The Connected Health Initiative (CHI) issued an open letter to Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, expressing support for the Telehealth Modernization Act.
The bill was introduced by Senator Alexander.
CHI is a coalition of stakeholders in the health industry whose focus is on protecting access to virtual care, especially after the public health emergency ends.
The Telehealth Modernization Act "would amend Medicare originating site rules for telehealth to include the patient's home and relax the geographic restrictions on telehealth provisions."
The act also expands the list of acceptable telehealth providers, among other things.
CHI further noted in their letter that the act must be "future-proofed" and crafted in such a way that certain patient populations are not left behind.
Read the full story here.
The VA and Apple Join Forces to Expand Virtual Care Options for Veterans
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Apple are joining together to increase access to virtual care for veterans.
"Through the VA's iPad program, qualifying veterans with cellular-enabled iPads can access telehealth services."
A recent VA study showed higher veteran satisfaction with care when they had access to virtual care through a tablet.
In addition to faster access to care, patients can also access their personal medical information through the iPhone Health Records feature. ?
Read the full story here.
Report Lists the Top Specialties Using Telemedicine
Doximity recently released its 2020 State of Telemedicine Report analyzing telemedicine adoption among U.S. physicians.
In previous studies, physicians reporting telemedicine as a skill increased by about 20% per year; this year's report noted a 38% increase, almost double from years prior.
The report also listed the top ten specialties using telemedicine.
Topping the list is endocrinology, followed by rheumatology and gastroenterology.
For the full story, read here.
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Register for the CTeL Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit
It''s coming. The CTeL Summit is coming...
Join us virtually, December 1-4, 2020 at the CTeL Fall 2020 Digital Summit
Summit Participants have access to:
All Summit sessions, live and recorded
Capitol Hill Day
Virtual meetings with Administrative agencies
6 months of membership benefits
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
What Telehealth Looks Like During COVID-19
CMS will temporarily allow providers to operate across state lines by waiving out-of-state licensing requirements.
Telehealth is no longer restricted to rural areas but can be used in urban communities and for in-home care.
Patients will be able to use FaceTime, Skype, and other phone or video conferencing methods at no additional charge.
President Trump announced that penalties for violating HIPAA law will not be enforced, allowing practitioners greater flexibility to communicate with patients through telehealth.
Read the full stories here and here.
Colorado Doctors Seeking Telemedicine for Medical Marijuana Patients
Colorado physicians are still unable to see medical marijuana patients through telehealth amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seven states allow telemedicine for first-time medical marijuana patients and seventeen states allow telehealth for follow-up appointments.
Physician groups have written the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Governor Jared Polis asking for permission to use telemedicine for medical marijuana patients.
The CDPHE issued a statement saying they believe the change will have to come as an executive order from the governor.
In the meantime, physicians are performing car-side appointments to protect the immune systems of vulnerable patients while still complying with the current medical marijuana laws.
Read the full story here.
Meanwhile in China
A field hospital in Wuhan, China, has been staffed with robots in a trial aimed at giving exhausted healthcare workers a break.
The project involves Wuhan Wuchang Hospital, China Mobile, and CloudMinds, "a maker of cloud robotics systems based in China and the U.S."
The project, housed in the Hongshan Sports Center in Wuhan, has been dubbed the Smart Field Hospital. It has capacity to serve 20,000 patients.
"All medical services in the facility were carried out by robots and other IoT devices. Patients entering were screened by connected 5G thermometers to alert staff for anyone feverish."
Read the full story here.
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CTeL is launching our new Pandemic Webinar Series
Hi Noah,
CTeL is launching our new Pandemic Webinar Series!
Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond- Wed., Mar 25th @ 2:00 PM ET
Medicare and Medicaid:Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19- Fri., Mar 27th @ 2:00 PM ET
Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics - Tue., Mar 31st @ 2:00 PM ET
Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19 - TBD
Licensure During the Pandemic - TBD
This series is FREE to registered Summit attendees, or $99 per webinar! Register below!
If you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a call, please feel free to self-select a time HERE.
Regards,
Christa
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
HHS Awards Additional Funds for Telehealth
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has authorized the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) to allocate an additional $20 million to telehealth infrastructure and access.
HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) awarded $15 million to four different organizations to further develop their telehealth services for pregnant women, families, children, and adolescents amid COVID-19.
An additional $5 million was awarded through the Licensure Portability Grant Program to aid licensing boards and national compacts in developing a streamlined process for telehealth providers to obtain multi-state licensure and credentialing.
Read the full story here.
New Telehealth Guidelines and a Veto in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has vetoed SB 857, over an amendment that banned the prescribing of mifepristone, which induces medical abortions, via telehealth.
Gov. Wolf issued the Cross-Agency Telehealth Guidelines to accomplish some of the provisions SB 857 would have implemented in continued efforts to fight COVID.
The guidelines expand the list of acceptable telehealth providers, expand telehealth coverage under Medicaid, "notes the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's expectations for telehealth coverage by private insurers, [and] enables Early Intervention programs to use telehealth and expands telemental health opportunities, including for substance abuse programs."
Read the full story here.
New CMS Tehelealth Waivers and Guidelines in Light of COVID
CMS has released a new round of waivers for telehealth to address the Public Health Emergency (PHE).
For the duration of the PHE, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists will be eligible to bill for telehealth services.
CMS is waiving the required use of video telehealth for a variety of services.
Opioid Treatment Programs may conduct periodic assessments via audio-only telephone in situations where beneficiaries do not have access to two-way video-audio technology.
Medicare will now cover and reimburse telehealth services provided by Rural Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers as acceptable distant sites, per mandate by the CARES Act.
The restrictions on home-based and out-patient telehealth reimbursement for hospitals has been loosened to allow reimbursement as long as the services meets certain criteria.
CMS also issued a new telehealth code approval procedure that operates more quickly, though any new codes will only remain in effect during the public health emergency.
Read the full story here.
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Connecticut Telehealth Bill Headed to State Senate
Last week the Connecticut House passed a bill expanding telehealth services.
The bill, HB 6001, passed unanimously in the House and will be heard in the Senate on Tuesday.
If passed, the bill cements Governor Ned Lamont's emergency telehealth orders into state law until March 15, 2021.
The emergency orders allow audio-only phone calls and expand the list of practitioners able to utilize telehealth.
In addition to extending the emergency telehealth measures, the bill ensures payment parity, which requires insurers to reimburse telehealth at the same amount as the service provided in-person.
Read the full story here.
BCBS of Minnesota Will Cover Telehealth Through 2020
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota announced it will continue to provide the same rate of reimbursement for telehealth as for in-person visits for the duration of 2020.
The company will also continue to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment and testing.
Health centers across Minnesota are also making moves toward more telehealth.? HealthPartners Inc. recently announced that it closed several clinics to re-direct resources towards virtual care.
Medica, a regional insurance provider, agreed "to reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits through at least the end of October."
Read the full story here.
New Partnership Brings Telehealth to Arizona Schools
New Partnership Brings Telehealth to Arizona Schools
Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District partnered with Mariposa Community Health Center to provide telemedicine to students in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
As the school year approaches, the partnership is an attempt to ensure parents, teachers, and students feel more comfortable going back to school amid COVID.
"The health aid at each school will get a laptop and all the medical equipment.need[ed] for a virtual visit with a doctor."
Mariposa Community Health Center will provide the training and equipment to the schools.
According to Dr. Phillip Williams, an area pediatrician, about 80% of normal in-person visits can be done just as well through telehealth, which will help keep children in school and parents at work.
The program will also increase accessibility and expand access to early intervention for behavioral health.
Read the full story here.
New Hampshire Permanently Expands Telehealth Coverage
Last week New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 1623 into law.? The new law "amends the state's definition of telemedicine to include new modalities, including audio-only phones."
It also requires Medicaid and private insurance companies to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate as the same service provided in-person.
Additionally, restrictions on originating and distant sites are terminated, and the list of acceptable telehealth providers is expanded.
The state will no longer require an in-person physical exam prior to a telehealth appointment for substance abuse disorder (SUD) patients.
In treating SUDs patients, practitioners can now prescribe Class II-IV non-opioid controlled substances through telehealth.
Read the full story here.
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New Jersey Approves Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Via Teleheath During Pandemic
New Jersey is the latest state to adopt cannabis telemedicine measures.
The state's attorney general announced Tuesday that patients can now obtain medical marijuana recommendations and prescriptions for controlled substances for chronic pain via telehealth.
The telehealth option must still comply with state law and DEA standards, including use of both audio and video during meetings, maintaining the standard of care, and discussing risks and benefits as well as alternatives.
The administrative order will expire when New Jersey is no longer in a state of emergency or when the DEA telehealth allowance ends, whichever comes first. ? New Jersey also allows medical cannabis dispensaries to deliver products directly to patients.
Several other places, including Delaware, Louisiana, and Washington D.C., have implemented similar cannabis laws.
For the full story, read here and here.
CMS Will Remove 74 Temporary Telehealth Codes After COVID
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans to eliminate many temporary telehealth codes after the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends.
The proposed 2021 Physician Fee Schedule outlines nine codes that will remain and seventy-four codes that will be cut.
The temporary codes will be removed because CMS does not see a likelihood that there will be a clinical benefit to the services after the PHE ends.
Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comment as well as data in support of keeping any of the services CMS plans to discontinue.
CMS also plans to add thirteen new codes on a temporary basis.
Read the full story here.
New Tennessee Law Mandates Payment and Reimbursement Parity for Telehealth
Last week the Tennessee Legislature passed HB 8002 during a special session ordered by Governor Bill Lee.
HB 8002 mandates that "payers cover telehealth services as they would cover in-person care" and enforces reimbursement parity through April 2022.
Payers are also required to cover remote patient monitoring services that are covered by Medicare, with price negotiated between payer and provider.
The bill alters the originating site definition to be wherever the patient is located for the service as long as the provider is in a qualified site.
Veterinarians and licensed substance abuse counselors are allowed to use telehealth to establish the patient-provider relationship through April 2022.
Read the full story here.
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Joe McMenamin, JD, MD
Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19:
The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
Live this Tuesday, March 31st at 2:00 ET
Join Joe McMenamin of McMenamin Law Offices to hear the latest on telehealth prescribing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics will include:
The new DEA exception
Necessary conditions for the DEA exception
What legal barriers remain in place
Your questions--answered!
Can''t make it live? All our webinars are available as recordings on-demand.
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
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Contact aileen@ctel.org for your free registration link!
These webinars are no extra cost to June Summit attendees-a value of $495 for all five webinars.
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Coming Soon
Monday, April 6 at 1:30 ET:Licensure During the Pandemic: Perspectives on Federal and State Action
TBD: Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Past Webinars In This Series
Recording Available: Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Recording Available: Medicare and Medicaid: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
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Senators Call On VA to Expand Telehealth Options for Beneficiaries
Several Senators sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Robert Wilkie petitioning the VA to expand telehealth coverage for veterans and their families during COVID.
Though the VA's Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) covers beneficiaries for real-time audio-visual telemedicine consultations, many people do not have access to the technology.
As a result, the letter calls on the VA to cover telephone calls and text messaging under CHAMPVA during COVID.
A total of fourteen Senators signed the letter, including Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Tester (D-MT), and Angus King (I-ME).
Read the full story here.
DC Combating Maternal Mortality with Telehealth Coverage Extension Act
The DC Council unanimously voted to pass the Postpartum Coverage Extension Act Amendment of 2020 which "extends postpartum inpatient and outpatient [telehealth] benefits through Medicaid from 60 days after childbirth to at least a year."
Mayor Muriel Bowser will seek Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) approval to cover "innovative models of care," such as telehealth visits and remote patient monitoring.
Washington DC has some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country and many of those deaths might be prevented if mothers had the right access to prenatal care.
The act amends DC's Telehealth Reimbursement Act of 2013 and has garnered support from groups such as March of Dimes and the Preeclampsia Foundation.
For the full story, read here.
New Telehealth Initiative for California's Agriculture Communities
The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) & the Banatao Institute at the University of California are launching a new telehealth program for rural agricultural families.
The new initiative, called Accountability, Coordination and Telehealth in the Valley to Achieve Transformation and Equity (ACTIVATE), "aims to use connected health to improve access to care and care outcomes for rural residents in Merced County."
Initially, one community health center will offer telehealth and remote patient monitoring services, with expansion to other health facilities to follow.
The program will also provide health education and digital literacy training to residents.
The overall goal of ACTIVATE is to develop a connected care roadmap for public and private sector use in California and across the nation.
Read the full story here.
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
More Changes to Telehealth from CMS this Week
From the Press Release:
Emergency departments can now use telehealth services to quickly assess patients.
80 additional services can now be furnished via telehealth.
Providers can bill for telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits.
Practitioners can now engage with new patients via telehealth.
CMS has also opened up remote patient monitoring services for patients with acute and chronic conditions and for patients with only one disease.
For a definitive list of changes, read the press release here and the expanded list of telehealth services here. You can find information about all CMS waivers and flexibilities here.
Mental Health Concerns on the Rise in Tennessee
After a spike in suicides, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order 20 to expand mental telehealth services and capabilities.
Despite the Governor's insistence that more medical professionals and patients utilize the technology, some insurance companies in the state do not reimburse for telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services.
The state offers a "behavioral health safety net" that allows residents within 138 percent of the federal poverty line to receive behavioral services via telehealth.
Governor Lee has also instituted a 24-hour crisis hotline for anyone struggling with mental health issues.
Read the full story here.
Inconsistent Reimbursement Information Makes Tele-Mental Health Access a Challenge
Mental health care providers in Austin, Texas, are facing serious challenges as they attempt to transition to telehealth during the pandemic.
Finding clear, consistent information from insurance plans has proved difficult for providers and patients.
For mental health professionals running private practices, the lingering questions about reimbursement can have long term financial implications.
In some cases, this payment barrier is keeping patients from accessing care at a time when mental health issues can be compounded by self-isolation and other stressors of the pandemic.
Read the full story here.
Bonus: CARES Act Summary
Looking for a clear overview of CARES Act telehealth provisions? Look no further. Check out "Subtitle D: Finance Committee" for a concise review here.
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Federal Agencies Come Together for Rural Telehealth Initiative
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is partnering with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on a Rural Telehealth Initiative.
In a Memorandum of Understanding, the Rural Telehealth Initiative is described as "a joint effort to collaborate and share information to address health disparities, resolve service provider challenges, and promote broadband technology to rural Americans."
Each organization has instituted various measures of its own to ease the burden felt by rural communities during COVID.
The FCC approved over 500 telehealth funding applications under the COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
The USDA has agreed to provide up to $650 million in grants and loans for the expansion of broadband connectivity through the Rural Broadband ReConnect Program.
Together, these agencies hope to accomplish much more to better telehealth for rural America.
Read the full story here.
Ohio Medicaid Seeks Permanent Extension of COVID Telehealth Measures
Ohio's Medicaid program expanded telehealth services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now Ohio Medicaid is petitioning to make those expanded measures permanent.
The proposed rule expands the current telehealth definition to include remote patient monitoring, telephone, and secured email and fax communications.
The rule adds more than ten types of supervised practitioners to the list of providers able to bill for telehealth services and expands the list of eligible telehealth services.
Lastly, the rule "relaxes the requirements for balancing virtual care with in-person care, and expands the list of sites where telehealth can be delivered."
The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review will consider the proposed rule, which, if approved, becomes effective when the public health emergency ends.
Read the full story here.
CMS 2021 Physician Fee Schedule Could Limit Remote Patient Monitoring
In the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule, released in August, "CMS has made three significant changes, each of which 'would impose more restrictions (or) burden RPM in a significant way'."
First, CMS currently allows coverage of RPM for new and established patients during COVID but will revert to coverage for established patients only after the public health emergency ends.
Second, CMS includes 20 minutes on a telephone or video platform in its "interactive communication" requirement.
It is not clear whether the rule "actually intended RPM codes to require a practitioner to spend at least 20 minutes per month of time communicating via audio or video with a patient."
Lastly, CMS only allows providers to bill once per patient per 30-day period under CPT codes 99453 and 99454, regardless of the number devices the patient used.
To some, the rule hinders providers because they are unable to gather necessary data across multiple devices and bill for those multiple devices.
CMS is accepting comments on the proposed rule through September.
Read the full story here.
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We make policy happen.
Research, Policy, Action:
That''s the CTeL Summit, December 1-4, 2020 Register Today!
Early bird registration ends on September 30th. Take advantage of the early bird rate soon and get access to a 6-month CTeL Membership!
Summit participants have access to:
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Health Data and AI Privacy Considerations
Webinar:
Privacy Considerations in the Commercialization of Health Data and the Use of AI
Wednesday August 19th at 3:00 PM EST
Agenda
Overview of Privacy Laws . HIPAA Application to AI . Data Monetization in Compliance with Law . Data Monetization Considerations Generally . Perspectives on Commercialization. Contracting and Data Safeguards
Joshua Boxer, Esq.
Helenmarie Blake, Esq.
Kristi Kung , Esq.
Presenters
Kristi Kung, Esq. | Partner, Healthcare Practice | DLA Piper LLP
Helenmarie Blake Esq. | Chief Privacy & Data Integrity Officer | UHealth and Data Privacy Officer | University of Miami
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New Senate Bill Requests CMS Cover Expectant Mother Telehealth Programs
Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Todd Young (R-IN), and Tom Carper (D-DE) introduced a bill that focuses on coverage for telehealth programs that monitor expectant mothers.
The Connected Maternal Online Mothering Services (MOM) Act (S.4859) "would establish coverage for remote patient monitoring programs for pregnant women that track blood pressure, blood glucose and pulse rates through connected health devices."
Lawmakers received inspiration for the new legislation from the New Orleans-based Connected Maternity Online Mothering (MOM) Program, which identifies pregnancy-related health concerns early through the aid of mHealth devices.
The MOM Act, if passed, would ensure that programs such as New Orleans' MOM Program receive the appropriate telehealth coverage from Medicare and Medicaid.
Read the full story here.
Georgia Composite Medical Board Makes Changes to Telemedicine Practice Standards
The Georgia Composite Medical Board recently finalized changes to its telemedicine practice standards.
The amendment addresses the use of technology in telemedicine and provides clarity on the Board's position on the use of peripherals during a patient's examination done through telemedicine.
The Board also made changes to Georgia Rules and Regulations Section 360-3-.07(3)(d), "Practice Through Electronic or Other Such Means"
Section 360-3-.07(3)(d) lists scenarios in which a Georgia-licensed practitioner can provide telemedicine services without a prior in-person examination.
The revised rule states, "A Georgia-licensed practitioner can offer treatment.via telemedicine if the practitioner is able 'to examine the patient using technology or peripherals that are equal or superior'" to an in-person examination.
The rule, which previously used the phrase "technology and peripherals," now gives providers more room with the new phrase "technology or peripherals."
Practitioners are still required to adhere to the applicable standard of care as well as any other requirements within the section.
For the full story, read here.
New Telehealth Accreditation for Home Healthcare
The Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) launched a new accreditation standard for telehealth that focuses on the home healthcare market.
The Distinction in Telehealth "designation [is] for care providers who use connected health platforms for ambulatory care, behavioral health, home health, hospice, private duty and renal analysis."
Health Recovery Solutions (HRS), a New Jersey-based telehealth provider, worked closely with ACHC to develop the new accreditation designation.
ACHC joins the ranks of the Utilization Review of Accreditation Commission (URAC) and the American Board of Telehealth (ABT) in providing telehealth-related accreditation.
Read the full story here.
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You''re invited to our Virtual Hump Day Happy Hour!
You''re Invited: CTeL''s Hump Day Happy Hour!
Join us for drinks and conversation, virtually, on Wednesday, October 14th.
Happy hour starts at 5:00 PM ET, so we hope to see you there!
What: Hump Day Happy Hour
When: Wednesday, October 14th @ 5:00 PM ET
Who: CTeL Members
Where: Zoom - Calendar Invitation to be provided upon RSVP
RSVP: Please RSVP to April Noel (april@ctel.org) by Tuesday, 10/13/20
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Medicare and Medicaid:
Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Rebecca Burke, JD
Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC
Megan LaSuer, JD, MHA
Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC
Join us to hear the latest on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement from Rebecca Burke, Partner, and Megan LaSuer, Associate, at Powers Law.
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
Non-Attendees Register Here
Summit Attendees
Contact aileen@ctel.org for your free registration link!
These webinars are no extra cost to June Summit attendees-a value of $495 for all five webinars.
Join us at the Summit-virtually!-and get your free access today.
Register for the Summit
Coming Soon
Tues, March 31, 2:00 ET: Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
TBD: Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
TBD: Licensure During the Pandemic
Past Webinars In This Series
Recording Available: Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Rick Masters, Esq.
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission
James Redstone
White House Domestic Policy Council
Interstate Occupational Licensure Compacts, EMAC, and the Pandemic
Tuesday, May 5 at 12:30 ET
Join us for a discussion on the use of occupational licensure compacts and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact during the pandemic.
Speakers
Rick Masters is Legal Counsel, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission & Nurse Licensure Compact Commission & Special Counsel, National Center for Interstate Compacts, The Council of State Governments('NCIC'). He provides legal guidance on the law and use of interstate compacts, their application and enforcement and bill drafting guidance in conjunction with the various NCIC compact projects.
James Redstone is Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Policy. He leads policy development and implementation for the National Council of the American Worker including partnerships with the Departments of Commerce, Education, and Labor involving state and federal regulatory reform, legislative proposals, and grant making.
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
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Contact aileen@ctel.org for your free registration link!
These webinars are no extra cost to June 2020 and December 2019 Summit attendees-a value of $693 for all seven webinars.
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Coming Soon
Thursday, April 30, 2:00 ET: Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Past Webinars In This Series
Recording Available: Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Recording Available: Medicare and Medicaid: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Recording Available: Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
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New Legislation Allows California Community Paramedicine to Use Telehealth
California EMS providers can now develop community paramedicine programs that utilize telehealth to "triage 911 calls at home and divert patients from hospital ERs to more appropriate care providers."
The Community Paramedicine or Triage to Alternate Destination Act 2020 (AB 1544), sponsored by State Assemblyman Michael Gipson and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, enables the development and oversight of these paramedicine programs.
In the emergency context, the use of mHealth devices could include on-demand audio-visual access to mental health specialists, ER doctors, and others.
The bill is intended to address the growing mental health crisis in the state, which results in overcrowded emergency rooms and limited access to appropriate services.
For the full story, read here.
Ohio Legislature Considers Bill to Expand Telehealth Services
The Ohio legislature is considering a new bill that would continue expanding telehealth services past COVID.
HB 679 "would expand the existing telehealth laws to apply to more providers, including psychologists, audiologists, speech pathologists, independent social workers, occupational therapists, independent chemical dependency counselors, and dieticians."
The proposed bill also does away with the need for a special permit from the State Dental Board for dentists to use telehealth in their practices.
Medicaid telehealth services and mental health and addiction services would also be increased through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services under the new bill.
HB 679 requires health benefit plans to reimburse for covered telehealth services but specifies no specific reimbursement amount, and cost sharing for telehealth cannot exceed the same service provided in-person.
Read the full story here.
Missouri Hospital Partners with Schools to Bring Telehealth to Students
Rural schools in Newton County, Missouri, are partnering with Freeman Neosho Hospital to offer telehealth services to students.
The program, approved by the Newton County Commissioners and funded with $385,000 from the CARES Act, places telemedicine stations in schools to give staff and over 8,000 students on-demand access to health care providers.
The program is designed to assist school nurses rather than act as a replacement.
As the program proves successful in Newton County, the goal is to expand it into the surrounding counties.
For the full story, read here.
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Mark E. Reagan, JD
Hooper, Lundy, & Bookman, PC
Jeremy Sherer, JD, LLM
Hooper, Lundy, & Bookman, PC
Telehealth and Long-Term Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Wednesday, April 15th at 2:00 ET
This webinar will discuss:
How telehealth can be leveraged in the post-acute space
Medicare coverage, limitations on service, and CMS waivers affecting long-term care
Challenges facing long-term care organizations in the midst of the pandemic
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
Non-Attendees Register Here
Summit Attendees
Contact aileen@ctel.org for your free registration link!
These webinars are no extra cost to June 2020 and December 2019 Summit attendees-a value of $495 for all five webinars.
Join us at the Summit-virtually!-and get your free access today.
Register for the Summit
Coming Soon
TBD: Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Past Webinars In This Series
Recording Available: Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Recording Available: Medicare and Medicaid: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Recording Available: Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
Recording Available: Licensure During the Pandemic
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FCC'S Connected Care Pilot Program to Launch Soon
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) released details on the Connected Care Pilot Program, laying out ground rules for eligibility.
"A $100 million project aimed at improving telehealth access for low-income Americans and veterans," the program provides grants to cover 85% of telehealth connectivity costs.
The Connected Care Pilot Program has been in the works for over two years since FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker first announced the program in 2018.
The most recent FCC public notice details the rules for eligibility and the process to apply for grants, though no dates for receiving applications have been posted yet.
Read the full story here.
Georgia Governor Vetoed Interstate Compact Bill
SB 306 passed easily through Georgia's legislature, but Governor Brian Kemp vetoed the bill last month.
The bill would have made Georgia the sixth state to join the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Interstate Compact.
Georgia audiologists and speech-language pathologists would have been able to treat patients in other member states using telehealth under the bill.
Gov. Kemp cited two reasons why he chose to veto the bill: 1) the Georgia Occupational Regulation Review Council had not evaluated the bill and 2) the compact would still need four more states in order to be operational.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) created the compact to allow providers in member states communicate, exchange information, and treat patients using connected care platforms.
Currently, Utah, Colorado, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Oklahoma are the only states a part of the compact.
For the full story, read here.
MedPAC to Advise on Telehealth Measures to Continue Past COVID
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is set to advise Congress on a number of COVID telehealth measures that are set to expire once the public health emergency ends (PHE).
MedPAC is a nonpartisan government agency that analysis and policy advice to Congress.
Susan Thompson, a MedPAC commissioner and interim CEO of UnityPoint Health, acknowledges that telehealth is here to stay, especially since beneficiaries have come to expect connected healthcare services.
Members are even willing to allow some telehealth flexibilities to remain, but only if they are covered under an advanced alternate payment model, not fee-for-service.
While MedPAC knows the Pandora's box is permanently open, they believe "the government is walking a thin tightrope between expanding access and running up substantial costs."
Other members expressed concerns about excessive use and the potential for fraud, though all agreed that providers will not be allowed to use non-HIPAA compliant connected platforms past the PHE.
Read the full story here.
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New York City is running out of trained ICU doctors and they need outside ICU trained physicians
Friends of CTeL,
The below message was passed on to us:
"New York City is running out of trained ICU doctors and they need outside ICU trained physicians. Cornell will cover all costs, food, stay and travel for their institution.
If you are an ICU-trained physician outside of New York City and would like to volunteer, contact Augustine Choi, MD at amc2056@med.cornell.edu.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo can provide same-day approval on all credentialing and licensing."
Many thanks,
April
April Noel Event Organizer
Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law
april@ctel.org
(202) 975-0755 - Direct | (202) 499-6970 - Main
www.ctelsummit.org
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Here is a sneak peak of our Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit Exhibitors!
LET''S GET EXHIBITING
Stop by our virtual exhibit hall December 1-4, to check out CTeL''s Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit Exhibitors!
Exhibitor Sneak Peak
Here is a sneak peak of some of the vendors exhibiting:
ezClinic
Goldsand Law
Pyramid Healthcare
MUSC Health
UCSF Health
Caregility
Blue Cirrus Consulting
Coker Group
About Caregility
Caregility is a clinical collaboration and communications company focused on enabling the shortest and fastest path of care for patients with the right care giver and treatment plan. Leveraging years of experience in clinical environments as part of their parent company, Yorktel, their core offering, the UHE Platform, is a purpose-built ecosystem for the entire healthcare continuum.
The UHE Platform provides secure, reliable two-way audio and video communication designed for any device and clinical workflow, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Today, Caregility supports 6,500 access points of care systems across the US. From ambulatory/acute/ICU/post-acute care settings to virtual care operation centers to patients in the home, Caregility is helping transform patient care delivery.
About ezClinic
ezClinic''s goal is to transform the future of virtual healthcare by delivering an intuitive platform and viewing system to make health management easier for both patients and healthcare providers.
ezClinic has developed a HIPAA compliant UHD video conferencing and all-in-one virtual care management tools - relieving administrative burdens while empowering patients to manage all their provider care from one portal.
About Goldsand Law
Goldsand Law provides cutting-edge legal solutions in the brick and mortar and digital health care spaces. The health care regulatory world is perilous. Virtually every dollar spent on health care in this country is regulated.
What constitutes clever marketing in a typical non-health care transaction likely implicates an array of state and federal criminal laws when health care is involved. Their experience and creativity allows them to see around corners before you reach the intersection.
About Pyramid Healthcare
Pyramid Healthcare provides treatment for adults and teens suffering from addiction or substance abuse, as well as individuals with mental health disorders. Their locations in western, central, and eastern Pennsylvania allow them to provide comprehensive care across the entire state to people with behavioral health issues.
As part of their unique 360? recovery system, Pyramid Healthcare Rehabilitation Center provides services for adults and teens in all stages of addiction. They focus on supplying a safe, supportive environment at all of their rehabilitation centers, where individuals learn and practice recovery and coping skills.
About MUSC Health
The Medical University of South Carolina is the state''s only comprehensive academic medical center.
They are changing what''s possible in health care through our ongoing mission to provide excellence in patient care, teaching, and research. MUSC Health and MUSC Children''s Health offer advanced care across South Carolina through hospitals, an extensive network of doctors'' offices, and telehealth.
About UCSF Health
UCSF Health is internationally renowned for providing highly specialized and innovative care. Their family of care includes UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights, UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion and UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay; UCSF Benioff Children''s Hospitals in Oakland and San Francisco; Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics; UCSF Benioff Children''s Physicians; and the UCSF Faculty Practice.
They are part of UC San Francisco, one of the top universities in the nation for health sciences research and higher education. By bringing together the world''s leading experts in nearly every area of health, they are able to drive advancements in treatment and technology that benefit patients everywhere.
About Blue Cirrus Consulting
Blue Cirrus is a premier management consulting firm providing skilled advisors, technicians, clinicians and project leaders to support or help define and achieve client goals.
Blue Cirrus partners with you to find the solution you need to achieve the highest results. They are skilled in analysis, planning, support and optimization; specializing in telehealth, interim leadership, business planning and technical redesign. Their team averages over 25 years of healthcare experience and has serviced clients nationwide.
About Coker Group
Coker Group is a national healthcare advisory firm, working with hospitals and physician groups to develop customized solutions in five main service areas: Strategy, Operations, Finance, Technology, and Compliance.
Their mission is to customize an approach for each client that ensures strategic differentiation in the marketplace and the achievement of every goal across all performance areas. Through principled professional consulting, they assist healthcare providers in their pursuit of a sound business model and an enhanced patient experience.
Interested in Exhibiting? We still have a few spots left! Email April Noel at april@ctel.org for more information, and to reserve your digital booth today!
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Arkansas Receives USDA Grant for Telehealth Training
Thanks to a grant from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), healthcare providers in the Arkansas Delta will have access to much-needed telehealth training.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) received nearly $1 million in grant money from USDA "to set up digital health training services at telehealth training centers around the region."
Telehealth can lessen disparities in rural areas-but access to telehealth has no impact if patients won't use the technology.
Educating providers and patients on telehealth and digital health practices might lessen these disparities.
Providers and patients have access to training at the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership (ARHP) offices, the Jefferson Regional Medical Center School of Nursing, and the UAMS East Regional Campus.
For the full story, read here.
Fitbit and US Army Partner for Early COVID-Detection Using mHealth Wearables
The US Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) has partnered with Fitbit "to prove the value of mHealth wearables in detecting COVID-19."
USAMRDC gave Fitbit nearly $2.5 million to develop a connected care platform needed for the research.
Employees at New York's Northwell Health system will be the first to receive Fitbits for the project.
This is not the first effort by Fitbit to use mHealth wearables to detect early COVID signs.
A May Fitbit study reported 70 percent accuracy in detecting COVID-19 one day before the onset of symptoms.
Read the full story here.
Indiana Telehealth Pilot to Focus on Treating Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Through Primary Care Providers
The Indiana University School of Medicine and Regenstrief Institute are partnering to study the effectiveness of the MI-CARE (More Individualized Care: Assessment and Recovery through Engagement) program.
The $4 million pilot project "aims to determine whether primary care providers who use a telehealth platform can combine substance abuse treatment.and behavioral health treatment to improve health outcomes."
The program targets the ongoing opioid epidemic and the increase in mental health issues coinciding with the pandemic.
"The MI-CARE trial will evaluate telehealth''s value, coupled with collaborative care, in the fight against opioid use."
For the full story, read here.
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
California Executive Order Relaxes Telehealth Requirements
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order expanding access to telehealth.
The order relaxes privacy and security laws associated with video chat and m-health platforms to facilitate better access to care during COVID-19.
Providers may now use platforms such as Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom for real-time audio-visual communication with patients.
The order "suspends penalties associated with the inadvertent, unauthorized access or disclosure of health information, as long as the care provider was acting in good faith."
The order also suspends the requirement for written or verbal consent before telehealth visits.
Read the full story here and the executive order here.
Maryland Making Efforts to Expand Telehealth Beyond COVID-19
Governor Larry Hogan has signed two bills expanding the use of telehealth in Maryland.
Both bills were introduced before the coronavirus outbreak but were classified as emergency legislation in light of the pandemic.
One bill expands the list of acceptable practitioners.
The other bill allows mental health providers to use telehealth to connect with the patient in their home.
Read the full story here.
Ohio Executive Order Suspends Certain Telehealth Rules
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order April 4th permitting more medical providers to utilize telehealth and suspending certain telehealth requirements.
The order suspends the face-to-face requirement for initial visits with counselors and social workers.
The order also removes the requirement that providers must receive special training in order to provide telehealth to patients.
The order aims to ensure that the mental health needs of patients are supported during social distancing.
Read the full story here and the executive order here.
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HHS Amends PREP Act to Include More Telehealth Flexibilities
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued another amendment to the Public Readiness and Preparedness (PREP) Act, expanding the connected health devices available for use during COVID.
Under the new amendment, "healthcare providers [can] use telehealth in any state to administer.Covered Countermeasures."
The PREP Act, enacted in 2005, allows HHS to issue immunity from liability for certain claims during a public health emergency (PHE).
As a result, qualified healthcare personnel delivering Covered Countermeasures via telehealth to patients outside of their licensed state are protected as long as they comply with the telehealth regulations of their licensed state.
This new amendment attempts to tackle the issue of license portability and interstate licensure-but only for the duration of the PHE.
For the full story, read here and here.
CMS Extends Coverage of Telehealth for Diabetes Prevention Programs During COVID
Providers using telehealth within their Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPP) will continue to receive reimbursement through Medicare under the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule.
The coverage does not extend to virtual-only DPPs and ends for Medicare DPPs when the public health emergency (PHE) expires.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has received some backlash for failing to cover DPP telehealth long-term, which is why a bill was introduced in early Fall to make Medicare DPP telehealth permanent.
Because the bill has not passed and CMS has not issued anything beyond the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule, DPPs will have to content themselves with telehealth reimbursement for the duration of the PHE.
For the full story, read here.
Lawmakers Petition Congress for Permanent Telehealth Expansion After COVID
A group of 49 lawmakers sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
While COVID has expanded the use of telehealth, current provisions leave the future of telehealth uncertain, which makes providers hesitant to embrace all that telehealth offers.
Headed by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), the letter implores Congress to "extend the current level of telehealth access and coverage beyond the coronavirus pandemic."
The letter also asks that Congress remove regional restrictions to telehealth access and allow people with Medicare to continue using telehealth within their homes.
Among the lawmakers in support are Senators Elizabeth Warren (D - MA), Susan Collins (R - ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R - AK) and Representative David Cicilline (D - RI).
Read the full story here.
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FCC Awards Telehealth Grant to Medical Center in Maine
MaineHealth is the most recent recipient of a Federal Communication Commission's grant.
The FCC awarded the medical center over $800,000 to use for telehealth services throughout Maine and New Hampshire.
MaineHealth plans to use the funds for "videoconferencing equipment" so patients can remain in their homes while consulting medical professionals.
The grant is just one of the many authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Read the full story here.
Michigan Governor Signs Telehealth Bills into Law
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of telehealth bills into law.
The bills were introduced January in the House, passed there in May, and received Senate approval a month later.
The bills include similar language from the Governor's May emergency executive order, making permanent some COVID telehealth.
HB 5412, HB 5413, and HB 5414 amend various portions of the state's code to include "store and forward online messaging" as an acceptable telemedicine service that no longer needs to occur during real time.
HB 5415 adds remote patient monitoring services to Michigan's Social Welfare Act.
HB 5416 allows schools and homes to be used as the originating sites for telehealth services, starting October.
Read the full story here.
CMS Proposed Rule Change
CMS proposed a new rule this past Thursday to make permanent some of the telehealth rules made during the public health emergency.
Under the rule, Medicare home agencies can consider virtual care costs as administrative costs.
Home health agencies will also be able to utilize services, such as remote patient care, as long as the it is a part of "a care plan, tied to a specific treatment goal, and related to the skilled services being provided."
The rule does not allow telehealth to be used in place of a planned in-person visit or to be considered a home visit for patient eligibility or reimbursement purposes.
Read the full story here.
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
Humana Announces New Telehealth Standards For COVID-19 Response
Humana announced several changes to their policies to increase access to telehealth during the pandemic.
The company will waive co-payments for telehealth services provided by in-network providers; temporarily enforce payment parity for in-network telehealth services; allow coverage for audio-only services; and expand the list of eligible providers to include specialists like mental health practitioners.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association made a similar statement on March 20.
Read the full story here.
HRSA to Disperse $100M to Health Centers Nationwide
The budget supplement signed by President Trump in early March authorizes $100 million in federal funds to HRSA-funded health care centers.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will disperse the funds to over 1,000 health centers to help them boost their telehealth offerings, among other things.
These health centers serve 28 million people across the nation and provide more than 13,000 services daily.
Read the full story here.
OCR Statement on HIPAA Liability and Penalties During COVID-19
The HHS Office for Civils Rights has clarified HIPAA compliance in light of a recent announcement that they will exercise "enforcement discretion" and waive penalties for certain uses of non HIPAA-compliant technology in telehealth encounters.
The statement highlights the difference between a HIPAA-covered healthcare provider using telehealth services during the pandemic versus an insurance company that reimburses for telehealth services. The first is exempt from HIPAA penalties while the second is not.
The statement further defines telehealth to also include internet-based platforms, audio-only communications, text messaging, and other forms of communication.
Additionally, "non-public facing" remote communication platforms are covered but public-facing products, like Facebook Live and TikTok, do not fall under acceptable methods.
In the event of an interception during a telehealth interaction, OCR will not impose a penalty outright but will consider all the facts and circumstances of good faith telehealth interactions and the provider's level of compliance with OCR standards.
Read the full story here.
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Emma J. Chapman, JD, MPP
McDermott, Will, & Emery
Dale C. Van Demark, JD
McDermott, Will, & Emery
Licensure During the Pandemic:
Perspectives on Federal and State Action
Monday, April 6 at 1:30 ET
Join McDermott, Will, & Emery''s Dale Van Demark and Emma Chapman as they discuss recent changes to licensure and what they mean for practitioners and health systems.
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
Non-Attendees Register Here
Summit Attendees
Contact aileen@ctel.org for your free registration link!
These webinars are no extra cost to June Summit attendees-a value of $495 for all five webinars.
Join us at the Summit-virtually!-and get your free access today.
Register for the Summit
Coming Soon
TBD: Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Past Webinars In This Series
Recording Available: Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Recording Available: Medicare and Medicaid: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Recording Available: Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
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Telehealth Education Impact
Stakeholder Survey
Telehealth Education: Impact on Provider Experience and Adoption
Please take a moment to read the letter below and participate in the survey on the impact of telehealth education on provider experience and adoption.
Kelli Garber, MSN, APRN, PPCNP-BC
2202 Hamlin Sound Circle
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
Kgarb002@odu.edu
July 27, 2020
Re: National Telehealth Education Survey
Dear Colleague,
I am writing to request your participation in a national survey of telehealth providers. Prior to COVID-19, one of the primary barriers to telehealth adoption was adequate training of clinicians. There is a lack of current knowledge about where and how providers are educated to use telehealth. The purpose of this study is to determine where and what kind of telehealth education practicing telehealth providers receive and whether there is a correlation between the type of telehealth education received and provider practice site, level of self-efficacy, perceived knowledge, use and satisfaction with telehealth.
I am requesting that you complete an electronic research survey titled "Telehealth Education: Impact on Provider Experience and Adoption." The survey will take less than 15 minutes to complete. Your participation is voluntary and the information reported is anonymous with no traceability of your answers. Computer information used to complete the survey will not be collected. Consent to participate is implied by completion of the survey and may be withdrawn at any time.
Please access the anonymous survey at the following link: https://redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=7TPLRJM3KH
This research is part of my capstone project in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Old Dominion University. Your input may greatly impact the future of telehealth education. Identifying effective forms of telehealth education may influence the development of future education programs, leading to an improved telehealth provider experience and enhanced provider adoption of telehealth.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 301-606-7883 or kgarb002@odu.edu , Dr. Tina Gustin (Responsible Principal Investigator) at 757-285-6215 or tgustin@odu.edu or Dr. Tancy Vandecar-Burdin, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Chair at Old Dominion University, at 757-683-3802 or tvandeca@odu.edu to review this matter with you. You may also contact the Office of Research at 757-683-3460.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this important study.
Warm Regards,
Kelli Garber, MSN, APRN, PPCNP-BC
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Dear Noah,
Good News. HHS, CMS and White House want to hear directly from telehealth stakeholders on how telemedicine fared in the COVID crisis.
Top leadership will be participating in a virtual roundtable at the CTeL Summit next week.
I really need you there to help us advance telemedicine policy with them because they are looking at what telemedicine policy will look like post Covid . . . whenever that is!
If you interested in participating, here is the registration link: www.ctelsummit.org/register
Feel free to give me a call: 617-417-0639.
Christa
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New Bill Considers Permanent Telehealth Coverage for Therapists
The American Medical Association (AMA) finalized their new policy on telehealth during their five-day virtual meeting with medical professionals and students from around the country.
AMA's policy shift is impacted by a recent study from the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition, which found that COVID has motivated more practitioners to incorporate connected health tools into their practices.
Ultimately, the "new policy is aimed at pressuring state and federal officials - including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - to improve coverage, access and payment policies."
The policy further cements AMA's commitment to telehealth.
For the full story, read here and here.
ACHP Petitions Congress on Permanent Telehealth and COVID Test Funding
The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) sent a letter to Congressional leaders insisting Congress make telehealth flexibilities permanent and provide no cost-sharing COVID tests to consumers.
In the letter, ACHP laid out four action steps Congress could take to make telehealth flexibilities permanent.
First, Congress could completely remove geographic restrictions on telehealth use.
Second, Congress could extend flexibilities through December 31, 2022, allowing time to gather more data to determine cost benefit.
Third, Congress could grant Health and Human Services (HHS) "more authority.[to] loosen the restrictions around which providers can offer telehealth."
Fourth, Congress could develop a plan that promotes value-based reimbursement for Medicare telehealth.
In regard to COVID testing, ACHP recommends that a national testing and contact-tracing strategy be developed and implemented.
Ultimately, "payers should not shoulder the responsibility for lab testing costs," ACHP argues, as "the government should be responsible for testing conducted for public health."
For the full story, read here.
Virginia Governor Signs Bill to Expand Telehealth Amid COVID
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation that eliminates some of the Commonwealth's restrictions on telehealth practice.
HB 5046/SB 5080 will "eliminate originating site restrictions and the requirement that the patient be accompanied by a care provider during the telehealth session."
Providers are allowed to treat patients via telehealth regardless of the patient's location, such as schools, clinics, and businesses, and payers are required to cover those services.
Additionally, the law has the state's Medicaid continuing to cover audio-only phone.
The law became effective immediately and will remain in effect until July 1, 2021.
In a separate action, Gov. Northam "approved the allocation of $30 million in CARES Act funding to improve broadband access in underserved regions."
Read the full story here.
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Register for the CTeL Summit and receive a FREE gift card!
FREE $25 Amazon Gift Card:
Register for the Fall CTeL Digital Health Summit, December 1-4, 2020
Receive a FREE $25 Amazon Gift Card when you register for the
Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit 9/22/20, through 9/28/20! - REGISTER TODAY, space is limited!
Summit participants have access to:
All Summit sessions, live and recorded
Capitol Hill Day
Virtual meetings with Administrative agencies
6 months of membership benefits
REGISTER TODAY!
Please note, gift cards are limited and are limited strictly to attendees who submit payment between 9/23/20 and 9/28/20*
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Compiling Resources, Tools, and Best Practices
Please take a moment to respond to this questionnaire from the
Consumer Technology Association.
"The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is committed to providing telehealth and digital health resources for consumers to help address the current COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with the White House and U.S. federal agencies and have been asked to compile "industry telehealth tools, resources, good practices and other options that the nation's public health system can use."
We appreciate CTA member companies and others completing this linked brief questionnaire by Thursday, March 19, 2020 so that we can add to our public-facing website outlining telehealth and digital health offerings. However, we will continue updating the webpage with additional resources as they come in."
Take the Questionnaire
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New York Medical Groups Urge Lawmakers to Make COVID Telehealth Policies Permanent
The Community Health Care Association of New York and the New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare are urging lawmakers to make COVID telehealth measures permanent.
The groups recommend New York support the full range of telehealth platforms as well as provide reimbursement for telephone visits.
They also advocate for keeping telehealth decisions at the discretion of the clinician "based on individual patient needs and capacity."
They hope to see the list of licensed practitioners continue to increase as well as removal of the in-person visit requirement prior to virtual/remote visits.
Lastly, they "stress that telehealth visits should be reimbursed on par with in-person visits."
Read the full story here.
Federal Court Case Sets Precedent for Telehealth Abortions
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang issued a preliminary injunction against the Food and Drug Administration's rule prohibiting the prescription of Mifeprex through telehealth.
Mifeprex is an abortion-inducing prescription drug.
The injunction will last "at least 30 days after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to [the] public health emergency."
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the suit on behalf of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and others against the FDA and HHS.
Several states requested to intervene in the lawsuit, but Judge Chuang denied their request, saying the decision does not impact states' abilities to regulate "above and beyond" the FDA's requirements.
Read the full story here, and the transcript of the case here.
A New Kind of Wearable
Researchers at the University of Missouri are exploring a new kind of wearable mHealth device: tattoos.
Researchers believe that tattoos could be designed to collect and transmit the wearer's biometric data to an online site.
The researchers are starting with a simple and cost-effective approach using pencil and paper.
Once the tattoo is drawn, "the paper is treated with a biocompatible spray-on adhesive, so that it sticks to a patient's skin."
The tattoo is temporary and only lasts about a week or however long it takes for the paper to decompose.
Read the full story here.
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Your Data Makes a Difference
CTeL is launching a groundbreaking telehealth cost-impact study, and we need your help.
Our large-scale, vendor-neutral data analysis could change the future of telehealth access.
Join health systems across the country and share data.
Read our data request letter to learn more, or get in touch using the link below.
Data Request Letter
Get In Touch
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FCC Announces Connected Care Pilot Program Application Open
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is now accepting applications for its Connected Care Pilot Program.
The 3-year, $100 million project was first announced in 2018 by FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker.
The Connected Care Pilot Program aims to improve broadband connectivity for low-income Americans, veterans, and other underserved populations where access to healthcare is inadequate.
The program will not cover the purchase of telehealth devices but will cover 85% of broadband connectivity costs with funds from the Universal Service Fund.
Applicants have until December 7, 2020, to apply for a grant.
Read the full story here.
Texas A&M Unveils Autonomous Telemedicine Taxi
Texas A&M professors and students collaborated on a project to make life for small towns in rural America easier.
In January 2020, the team began work on a mobile telemedicine system installed in an autonomous vehicle.
Called ENDEAVRide, a "2-in-1 Taxi + Telemedicine" service, the driver-less van features systems that measure patient vitals, height, and weight and has video conferencing to allow passengers to speak remotely with medical professionals.
The group's efforts received support from organizations such as WOCSCOR, Aggieland Automobiles, and ProHealth 2020.
The telemedicine taxi will be available first in Nolanville, TX.
For the full story, read here.
Hospitals Collaborate on At-Home Telehealth Program for COVID Patients
Harvard Medical School, in partnership with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, designed a telehealth platform for COVID patients recovering at home.
The program demonstrated success in "using telehealth to help previously hospitalized patients recover at home."
The at-home telehealth program has also helped ease anxiety and depression in patients who exhibited high levels during their hospital stay.
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation published a study in which they "reported that physical therapy sessions conducted at home through connected health channels were 'significantly better' than the standard of care."
The research supports the outcomes achieved by Harvard and its collaborators' at-home telehealth program.
For the full story, read here.
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Hi Noah,
I hope all is well with you and that you have managed to stay healthy during this time.
Christa Natoli has requested a meeting with you to discuss our new Digital Health Policy Professional (DHPP) program. This is our pilot year and we want to get your feedback. Do you have any time available next week?
You can view Christa's availability and self-select a time that works best for you HERE, or if you provide your availability, I am happy to coordinate on your behalf.
She looks forward to speaking with you!
Best,
April
April Noel Event Organizer
Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law
april@ctel.org
(202) 975-0755 - Direct | (202) 499-6970 - Main
www.ctelsummit.org
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VA-Based Psychologist Sues Washington DC for its Telehealth Licensure Restrictions
A Virginia-based psychologist, Elizabeth Brokamp, filed a lawsuit challenging the District of Columbia's (DC) prohibition on telehealth services from out-of-state providers.
Her lawsuit alleges that she has the right to treat patients in DC via telehealth, "under the Constitution's First Amendment to counsel people in other states."
"The District's licensing law.is staggeringly broad; read literally, it would sweep up friends, family members, pastors, self-help gurus, and life coaches."
An unlicensed individual could operate under the title of 'life coach,' without any penalty for talking with people across state lines, while a licensed professional is prohibited from talking.
COVID caused numerous states to relax rules on license portability, which allowed Brokamp to offer teletherapy to patients in DC.
However, license portability is supposed to end when the public health emergency concludes, forcing Brokamp to no longer be able to treat her DC patients.
For the full story, read here.
Kansas Study Reveals Strong Push Towards Payment Parity Though Legislators
Because of COVID-19, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly eased telehealth restrictions, which included more reimbursement and payment parity via Medicaid for certain telehealth services.
A recent study conducted by the United Methodist Health Ministry, and the Kansas University School of Medicine shows providers strongly support telehealth, but also reveals their concerns moving forward.
The report noted that "[o]f the 231 providers who responded fully.85.3% indicated that expanded reimbursement had a positive impact" on providers' use and support of telehealth.
The report further noted that providers see payment parity as the key to ensure the best use of telehealth moving forward.
Kansas legislators considered altering the state's Medicaid system, KanCare, to reimburse at the same rate as in-person care before, but pushback from insurance companies stalled any movement forward.
Legislators did land on coverage parity in 2018, however, providers are pushing for payment parity.
Kansas Representative Brenda Landwehr warns that a discussion on payment parity will receive pushback, despite the survey results, showing strong support, for payment parity.
For the full story, read here and here.
New Collaboration Offers Text Messaging as a Health Care Option
University of Washington Medicine announced a partnership with 98point6, a Seattle-based digital health company, to offer on-demand virtual care via text messaging.
Patients can access the telehealth platform for $30 a month during the first three months and $120 per year afterwards, plus $1 per visit.
"Through the text messaging platform, physicians employed by 98point6 can diagnose and provide care options, including ordering prescriptions and labs."
After listening to patient desires, UW Medicine determined offering text messaging as a healthcare option, will give patients the convenient and safe care they want.
For the full story, read here.
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Federal Government Under Pressure to Address Telehealth After COVID
Congress continues to press federal departments for specifics on telehealth past the public health emergency.
A letter signed by over 35 Senators was sent to the Health and Human Services Department as well as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The letter listed five specifications the HHS and CMS need to provide regarding extending telehealth expansion and coverage after COVID.
Specifically, the Senators asked for a detailed timeline, list of changes, clarification on HHS and CMS's position, and development of guidelines.
Additionally, Congress itself is under pressure from over 340 organizations to address the same issues they presented to HHS and CMS.
Read the full story here.
Colorado Governor Polis Signs New Telehealth Bill
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed four bills into law on Monday, one of which addresses the fate of the state's telehealth past the pandemic.
The bill, SB20-212, requires insurance carriers to reimburse telehealth services provided through HIPAA-complaint platforms.
Patients can continue to receive care virtually, even after the public health emergency ends, for "behavioral, mental, and physical needs."
Telehealth can be used for "everything from consultation to a diagnosis."The physician-patient relationship can be established through telehealth.
Lastly, insurers cannot restrict telehealth reimbursement to specific platforms or technology as long as the service meets HIPAA requirements.
Read the full story here.
Lawmakers Call for Evidence to Support Continuing Emergency Telehealth Post-COVID
Massachusetts, one of the least telehealth friendly states, has finally issued a policy on telehealth.
The Board of Registration in Medicine approved the first permanent telehealth policy for the state.
A telehealth interaction is enough to establish the provider-patient relationship; the initial in-person visit is no longer required.
The policy establishes the standard of care for telehealth visits to be the same as in-person visits.
Pennsylvania is also finally moving forward after a standstill over controversial language in their 2019 Senate-sister telehealth bill.
HB 2545 outlines telehealth regulation and coverage, provides definitions and temporary guidelines for treatment and evaluation, and gives state departments a deadline for permanent rules.
The only thing missing from HB 2545 is the controversial language concerning the ban on telemedicine abortions.
Read the full story here.
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It''s the KICKOFF to CTeL''s Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit! - Don''t Miss the Telehealth Event of the YEAR!
The Fall Digital Health Summit is only FOUR weeks away!
Join us virtually for the: Telehealth Event of the Year!
December 1-4, 2020 at the CTeL Fall 2020 Digital Summit
Summit Participants have access to:
All Summit sessions, live and recorded
Capitol Hill Day
Virtual meetings with Administrative agencies
6 months of membership benefits
REGISTER HERE
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Your Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
FTC Comments on Telehealth Proposals
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last month commenting on several telehealth proposals.
The letter weighs in on six issue areas.
Relaxation of distant site guidelines.
Expanding the types of services delivered by telehealth.
Access to therapy services by more telehealth providers.
Coverage for new modalities.
Coverage for non-telehealth communication technology-based services (CTBS).
Supervision guidelines under Medicare's "Incident To" billing rules.
Read the full story here.
AMGA Asks CMS to make Telehealth Flexibilities Permanent
The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) is petitioning for the continuation of telehealth expansion after the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends.
AMGA President and CEO, Jerry Penso, MD, MBA, believes rolling back these relaxed telehealth standards would be extremely disruptive to patients and practitioners who have come to rely on the technology.
The organization further recommends smartphones be allowed for telehealth visits.
AMGA also encourages Medicare to add 80 new codes to the telehealth list and provided suggestions on the use of audio-only telephone.
Read the full story here and the letter here.
New Remote Patient Monitoring Device May Detect COVID Symptoms Early
Evidation Health is developing software that would allow remote monitoring devices to detect COVID-19 symptoms.
The California-based provider received "funding from the Bill Gates Foundation as well as the Health and Human Services Department's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority."
The device works by gathering data from sleep and activity as well as self-reported symptoms from at-risk individuals.
Several partnerships have been announced over the last month that focus on gathering data for disease tracking.
Read the full story here.
Lawmakers Ask for Additional Telehealth Funding in Next COVID Bill
21 Senators wrote a letter to congressional leadership last week requesting $200 million for the expansion of home-based telehealth programs for children in the next COVID-19 relief package.
Funding would be distributed through existing programs run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Education.
This letter comes alongside a push by members of the House for $2 billion to be dedicated to broadband expansion for telehealth services in rural communities.
Another group is requesting a provision including Medicare coverage for telehealth audiology.
The members hope that the additional funding and services will be included in the next COVID relief fund, the HEROES Act, which is slow moving in Congress.
Read the full story here.
New Colorado Bill for Telehealth Coverage
Colorado lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 212 to continue payer coverage of telehealth beyond the public health emergency.
Senate Bill 212 prohibits insurance companies from placing limitations and restrictions on telehealth coverage and would end the in-person examination requirement.
The legislation has support from dozens of organizations, including the Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Community Health Network, and Colorado Rural Health Centers and bipartisan support in the Senate.
Read the full story here.
New Bill Requires In-Depth Look into COVID Telehealth Impact
The Evaluating Disparities and Outcomes of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Emergency Act of 2020 was introduced this week by Representative Robin Kelly (D - IL).
The bill mandates that a study be conducted on the changes Medicare and Medicaid made to telehealth during the COVID crisis and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to include expenditures and savings from telehealth use, including fraud and privacy issues.
Eleven Democrats are currently co-sponsoring the bill.
Read the full story here.
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The Cost of Commercial Telehealth Visits Is Going Up
Health insurance providers covered a variety of telemedicine visits temporarily during the pandemic, but October 1st marks the end of those payment options for several payors, creating confusion for patients and providers.
UnitedHealthcare will no longer offer the "virtual visit" benefit at no cost to patients.
Anthem members will now have to pay copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for virtual visits not related to COVID.
But several commercial health insurers, like BlueCross BlueShield Tennessee, have extended their expanded telehealth coverage until the end of 2020.
"It's not clear yet how much patients.can expect to have to pay for telehealth visits, nor is it clear how those costs will compare to copays for an in-person visit."
Read the full story here.
Opioid Treatment Waivers Set to Expire, Significantly Affecting Patients and Providers
Prior to COVID, doctors were required to be preauthorized to prescribe buprenorphine and to conduct in-person meetings with patients before prescribing the drug for opioid addiction treatment.
The federal government waived the in-person requirement during the Public Health Emergency, allowing providers to onboard patients remotely.
However, the public health emergency is set to expire by the end of October, signaling the end of the telehealth waivers unless an extension is issued.
Several members of Congress have introduced a new bill, the TREATS ACT, which "makes the waivers on in-person visits for medication-assisted treatment permanent."
Though several organizations support the bill, such as the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the bill has not moved forward in Congress.
Even if it does, providers face obstacles from state laws and procedures that conflict with the federal regulatory waivers.
Industry stakeholders believe it's important to ask, "whether making these waivers permanent for telemedicine providers would lead to more abuse than previously existed - and whether that abuse would outweigh benefits to the patients."
For the full story, read here.
New Jersey Assembly Passes Telehealth Medical Marijuana Bill
Last week New Jersey lawmakers passed legislation on telehealth and medicinal marijuana.
S619 "allows providers to prescribe medical marijuana via connected health channels to certain patients who face barriers to accessing in-person care."
Those patients are children; "people who are developmentally disabled, housebound, terminally ill, or in hospice care"; and long-term care facility residents.
The in-person examination requirement was previously waived by an Administrative Order, but S619 ensures that the waiver is permanent.
The bill awaits a signature from Governor Phil Murphy, making New Jersey one of a few states to extend cannabis telehealth waivers past the pandemic.
Read the full story here.
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Register for the CTeL Summit and receive a FREE gift card!
FREE $25 Amazon Gift Card:
Register for the Fall CTeL Digital Health Summit, December 1-4, 2020
Receive a FREE $25 Amazon Gift Card when you register for the
Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit through 9/28/20!
Summit participants have access to:
All Summit sessions, live and recorded
Capitol Hill Day
Virtual meetings with Administrative agencies
6 months of membership benefits
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Webinar:
Privacy Considerations in the Commercialization of Health Data and the Use of AI
Wednesday August 19th at 3:00 PM EST
Agenda
Overview of Privacy Laws . HIPAA Application to AI . Data Monetization in Compliance with Law . Data Monetization Considerations Generally . Perspectives on Commercialization. Contracting and Data Safeguards
Joshua Boxer, Esq.
Helenmarie Blake, Esq.
Kristi Kung , Esq.
Presenters
Kristi Kung, Esq. | Partner, Healthcare Practice | DLA Piper LLP
Helenmarie Blake Esq. | Chief Privacy & Data Integrity Officer | UHealth and Data Privacy Officer | University of Miami
Register Today!
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Register for the CTeL Summit and receive a FREE gift card!
FREE $25 Amazon Gift Card:
Register for the Fall CTeL Digital Health Summit, December 1-4, 2020
Receive a FREE $25 Amazon Gift Card when you register for the
Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit now through 9/28/20! - REGISTER TODAY, space is limited!
Summit participants have access to:
All Summit sessions, live and recorded
Capitol Hill Day
Virtual meetings with Administrative agencies
6 months of membership benefits
REGISTER TODAY!
Please note, gift cards are limited and are limited strictly to attendees who submit payment between 9/23/20 and 9/28/20*
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CTeL''s June Summit Registration is Due!
Speaker Spotlight
Tele-Critical Care: On the Front Lines of the Pandemic
Iris Berman
Northwell Health
Cheryl Hiddleson
Emory eICU Center
Lisa-Mae Williams
Baptist Health South Florida
Join us at the CTeL Summit to hear three tele-critical care experts discuss lessons learned during the pandemic, systems to have in place for the future, and the policy changes we need.
Iris Berman, RN, MSN, CCRN-k, Vice President of Telehealth Services, Northwell Telehealth Program
Cheryl Hiddleson, MSN, RN, CCRN-E, Director, Emory eICU Center
Lisa-Mae Williams, PhD, RN, CCRN-K BHSF, Telehealth Center & eICU Operations Director, Baptist Health South Florida
See the rest of the agenda here.
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
HHS Launches New Telehealth Site for Physicians and Patients
Yesterday the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a website to centralize information for patients and providers interested in utilizing telehealth during the pandemic.
The patient-focused page covers telehealth options; understanding telehealth; telehealth during COVID-19; and preparing for a video visit.
The provider page includes sections on getting started; planning your telehealth workflow; preparing patients for telehealth; policy changes during the pandemic; billing and reimbursement; legal considerations, and a resources page.
You can access the website here.
Five New Health Centers to Receive FCC Telehealth Grant
The CARES Act included $200 million for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grants to help practitioners provide connected care services to patients remotely during the pandemic.
So far, the FCC has awarded $6.94 million to 11 health systems in 8 states, including $3.71 million to five health centers this past week.
This week's recipients include NYU Langone (New York, NY); Banyan Community Health (Coral Gables, FL); Health Partners of Western Ohio (Lima, OH); University of Michigan Hospital (Ann Arbor, MI); and St. John's Well Child and Family Center (Los Angeles, CA).
In addition to distributing grant funds, the FCC announced the suspension of the "red light" rule, meaning providers who owe the FCC money will not be prohibited from applying for a grant under the COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
Read the full story here.
The Telehealth Abortion Debate Continues During COVID-19
The Pennsylvania Senate narrowly passed SB 857 this week, a bill to expand telehealth services in the state.
The bill originally focused on telemedicine standards for specialists and insurance reimbursement for telehealth services and was recently amended to enhance delivery of health care services remotely.
It is predicted that the bill will die on Governor Tom Wolf's desk because of an amendment added in the House banning the telemedicine prescribing of medications on the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy List. The early-term abortion medication mifepristone is included on this list.
A spokesperson for the Governor said the bill would be vetoed because of the provision.
Read the bill here and the full story here.
FDA Releases New Pre-market Certification Standards for Telemental Health Products
At the beginning of the month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published new guidelines for telehealth and mHealth certification.
COVID-19 has required that the FDA reconsider its pre-market standards for Class 2 prescription-only connected health tools that treat various mental health issues.
The guidelines are not meant to address telemental devices that replace psychiatric care, but are meant to provide more tools to patients at a time when providers are inundated.
The guidance does not do away with all the original standards. The FDA will still be using the current verification, validation, and hazard analysis.
Read the guidelines here and the full story here.
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Calling all Exhibitors for the CTeL Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit
Exhibit at the Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit
This year our beautiful virtual exhibit hall will host research posters and vendor exhibits. Space is limited, so apply today!
December 1-4, CTeL will host a select group of 20 exhibitors and posters.
Exhibitors will have the opportunity to engage with all 150 attendees at our Fall 2020 Digital Health Summit.
Submit your poster abstract or exhibit inquiry between September 10th and October 10th.
Reach out to April Noel, CTeL conference manager, for more information.
To be considered, an individual or company must be a registered and paid attendee for the 2020 Fall Digital Health Summit.
Participation in the Summit does not guarantee a spot in the exhibit hall.
Express Interest
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Happy Thursday!
I hope all is well with you, and that you have managed to stay healthy during these uncertain times.
Christa asked me to reach out and set up some time with you regarding our Fall 2020 meetings with the White House, CMS & HHS regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since so many changes are taking place, Christa wanted to reach out and speak with you prior to those meetings.
When do you have some availability in the next few weeks for a quick call? You can book time directly with her HERE, or if you provide your availability, I will coordinate the call.
She looks forward to speaking with you soon!
Best,
April
April Noel Event Organizer
Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law
april@ctel.org
(202) 975-0755 - Direct | (202) 499-6970 - Main
www.ctelsummit.org
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Bipartisan Effort for Permanent Post-COVID Telehealth
Thirty Senators request Congressional leadership make telehealth changes made during the COVID outbreak permanent.
The letter was sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R - Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D - N.Y.).
Senators Brian Schatz (D - Hawaii) and Roger Wicker (R - Miss.) lead the bipartisan effort for provisions of the CONNECT for Health Care Act be continued past the public health emergency.
Read the full story here.
New Bill Would Allow Unfettered Telehealth for 6 Months Post-COVID
Senators Marsha Blackburn (R - Tenn.) and Ted Cruz (R - Texas) introduced the Equal Access to Care Act this week.
The bill allows licensed providers unrestricted use of telehealth 180 days after the public health emergency.
The bill circumvents two main telehealth issues: site restriction and interstate licensing guidelines.
The provider's location will determine the location of the provision of the services.
Any regulations requiring the provider to be licensed in the state of the patient would not apply during the 180 days.
Read the full story here.
Bipartisan Telehealth Bills Currently Before Congress
Congress is currently considering several bipartisan telehealth bills..
S. 3988, the "Enhancing Preparedness through Telehealth Act," is designed to help the government track, maintain, and improve telehealth networks across the country.
The bill also requires the HHS secretary to report to Congress every five years on teleheatlh insurance issues, infrastructure, and capacity.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R - La.) introduced S. 3988 with support from Senators Dan Sullivan (R - Alaska), Tina Smith (D - Minn.), and Doug Jones (D - Ala.).
Additionally, House Representatives Troy Balderson (R - Ohio), Cynthia Axne (D - Iowa), and two others introduced H.R. 7233.
The bill calls for reporting on telehealth expansion in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program during COVID.
Read the full story here.
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Clarification from CMS on Telehealth during COVID-19
Breaking: CMS Releases Reimbursement FAQ for COVID
Yesterday CMS released updated FAQs, including 22 responses to commonly asked questions about telehealth during COVID-19.
Additional FAQs will be available when CMS finalizes implementation plans for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Access the FAQs Here
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FDA Unveils New Digital Health Center of Excellence
This week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the Digital Health Center of Excellence.
The Center's goal is to "empower stakeholders to advance health care by fostering responsible and high-quality digital health innovation."
The Center's objectives include fostering partnerships, encouraging knowledge sharing, and driving regulatory innovation forward.
Bakul Patel, who has been heavily involved in advancing digital health technology within the FDA, will direct the new Center, which is housed within the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH).
The Digital Health Center of Excellence will ultimately serve as a central location for digital health expertise and resources.
Read the full story here.
Central Virginia to Receive $100,000 for Telehealth and Rural Health Services
Central Virginia will receive a $100,000 federal grant to support the Virginia Rural Health Association's telehealth work.
The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program will distribute the funds.
According to Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), "This federal investment will help preserve the lifeline of telehealth for more of our rural neighbors as they live, work, farm, and raise their families during this challenging time."
Read the full story here.
Florida Allocates Funds to Expand Telehealth Access in Schools
The Florida Department of Education identified telehealth access as a top priority during the pandemic and will receive $2 million in CARES Act funding to expand tele-mental health services.
The funds will be used to support schools in 18 counties where access to mental health specialists and broadband connectivity is low.
The money comes from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER), which is funded by stimulus money from the CARES Act.
Many in the state applaud this announcement, as state officials and the healthcare industry continue to battle over telehealth rules and guidelines.
Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Mary Mayhew believes, "[Telehealth] technology.is critical for all Floridians, but especially for students in rural districts."
For the full story, read here.
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Domestic Violence Centers to Use Telehealth in Ohio
Survivors of intimate partner violence are at a greater risk of suicide and isolation due to stay-at-home orders and quarantine mandates.
The Zepf Center, an Ohio-based behavioral health center, received $1.8 million in federal grant money from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to address this issue.
The Zepf Center is "partnering with Bethany House and the YMCA of Northwest Ohio to provide telehealth systems on-site for survivors so they can be connected to critical psychiatric, therapy and case management services."
The YMCA of Northwest Ohio currently has the telehealth system operating, but Bethany House will receive theirs within the next couple weeks.
For the full story, read here.
CARES Act Funding to Expand Telehealth for Maine's Seniors
The University of New England (UNE) is launching a telehealth program for Maine's seniors.
In a partnership with the University of Maine, MaineHealth, and three other health organizations, UNE received $90,625 from the CARES Act to develop the TeleHealthy program.
The TeleHealthy program "will train third - and fourth - year osteopathic medicine students and family practitioners to deliver services through connected health platforms to seniors."
TeleHealthy is designed to specifically address wellness visits and advanced care planning as the pandemic has caused those services to be neglected.
As a largely rural state where geography, weather, and distance restrict seniors' access to healthcare, the TeleHealthy program will ensure that Maine's seniors can receive the care they need.
Read the full story here.
Capital Health Plan Announces Copay Waiver Extension for Telehealth
Capital Health Plan (CHP) announced an extension of copay waivers for telehealth until March 31, 2021.
CHP initially announced no cost shares for services provided to members through telehealth because of COVID-19.
Tim Stapelton, Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Medical Association, is "pleased to see [CHP] take a leadership role.to ensure the health and well-being of the community by being one of the first in Florida to extend this service at no cost."
The waiver extension on telehealth ensures that vital healthcare services, like chronic condition treatment, cancer screening, and immunizations, are still accessible for CHP members.
Read the full story here.
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Emma J. Chapman, JD, MPP
McDermott, Will, & Emery
Dale C. Van Demark, JD
McDermott, Will, & Emery
Licensure During the Pandemic:
Perspectives on Federal and State Action
Monday, April 6 at 1:30 ET
Join McDermott, Will, & Emery''s Dale Van Demark and Emma Chapman as they discuss recent changes to licensure and what they mean for practitioners and health systems.
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
Non-Attendees Register Here
Summit Attendees
Contact aileen@ctel.org for your free registration link!
These webinars are no extra cost to June Summit attendees-a value of $495 for all five webinars.
Join us at the Summit-virtually!-and get your free access today.
Register for the Summit
Coming Soon
TBD: Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Past Webinars In This Series
Recording Available: Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Recording Available: Medicare and Medicaid: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Recording Available: Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
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Webinar:
Privacy Considerations in the Commercialization of Health Data and the Use of AI
Wednesday August 19th at 3:00 PM EST
Agenda
Overview of Privacy Laws . HIPAA Application to AI . Data Monetization in Compliance with Law . Data Monetization Considerations Generally . Perspectives on Commercialization. Contracting and Data Safeguards
Joshua Boxer, Esq.
Helenmarie Blake, Esq.
Kristi Kung , Esq.
Presenters
Kristi Kung, Esq. | Partner, Healthcare Practice | DLA Piper LLP
Helenmarie Blake Esq. | Chief Privacy & Data Integrity Officer | UHealth and Data Privacy Officer | University of Miami
Register Today!
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Adam C. Solander, Esq
King and Spalding, LLP
Wednesday, March 25, at 2:00 ET
Privacy and Security are touchstones of modern healthcare. But in the face of a rapidly spreading virus, the federal government will exercise "enforcement discretion" and waive penalties for certain uses of non HIPAA-compliant technology. Adam Solander, Partner at King & Spalding, will discuss these changes and guardrails that remain in place to protect patients.
This webinar is freefor June Summit attendees. Respond to this email for the registration link.
$99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
Register for the Summit below!
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Our Exhibit Hall is OPEN!
EXHIBITS ARE OPEN!
We are opening up our exhibits to the public! Stop by our complimentary virtual exhibit hall December 1 from 11 AM - 2 PM ET to see our vendors! Use the link below to stop by!
GO TO EXHIBITS!
Exhibitor Sneak Peak
Here is a sneak peak of some of the vendors exhibiting:
ezClinic
Pyramid Healthcare
UCSF Health
Caregility
Blue Cirrus Consulting
Coker Group
C-TIER
About Caregility
Caregility is a clinical collaboration and communications company focused on enabling the shortest and fastest path of care for patients with the right care giver and treatment plan. Leveraging years of experience in clinical environments as part of their parent company, Yorktel, their core offering, the UHE Platform, is a purpose-built ecosystem for the entire healthcare continuum.
The UHE Platform provides secure, reliable two-way audio and video communication designed for any device and clinical workflow, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Today, Caregility supports 6,500 access points of care systems across the US. From ambulatory/acute/ICU/post-acute care settings to virtual care operation centers to patients in the home, Caregility is helping transform patient care delivery.
About ezClinic
ezClinic''s goal is to transform the future of virtual healthcare by delivering an intuitive platform and viewing system to make health management easier for both patients and healthcare providers.
ezClinic has developed a HIPAA compliant UHD video conferencing and all-in-one virtual care management tools - relieving administrative burdens while empowering patients to manage all their provider care from one portal.
About Pyramid Healthcare
Pyramid Healthcare provides treatment for adults and teens suffering from addiction or substance abuse, as well as individuals with mental health disorders. Their locations in western, central, and eastern Pennsylvania allow them to provide comprehensive care across the entire state to people with behavioral health issues.
As part of their unique 360? recovery system, Pyramid Healthcare Rehabilitation Center provides services for adults and teens in all stages of addiction. They focus on supplying a safe, supportive environment at all of their rehabilitation centers, where individuals learn and practice recovery and coping skills.
About C-TIER
ODU''s Center for Telehealth Innovation, Education & Research (C-TIER) offers innovative telehealth options.
The mission of C-TIER is to promote innovation, education, and research in telehealth for those involved in the provision of health care, healthcare education, research, and healthcare technologies through collaborative opportunities, educational programs, and telehealth innovation.
About UCSF Health
UCSF Health is internationally renowned for providing highly specialized and innovative care. Their family of care includes UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights, UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion and UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay; UCSF Benioff Children''s Hospitals in Oakland and San Francisco; Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics; UCSF Benioff Children''s Physicians; and the UCSF Faculty Practice.
They are part of UC San Francisco, one of the top universities in the nation for health sciences research and higher education. By bringing together the world''s leading experts in nearly every area of health, they are able to drive advancements in treatment and technology that benefit patients everywhere.
About Blue Cirrus Consulting
Blue Cirrus is a premier management consulting firm providing skilled advisors, technicians, clinicians and project leaders to support or help define and achieve client goals.
Blue Cirrus partners with you to find the solution you need to achieve the highest results. They are skilled in analysis, planning, support and optimization; specializing in telehealth, interim leadership, business planning and technical redesign. Their team averages over 25 years of healthcare experience and has serviced clients nationwide.
About Coker Group
Coker Group is a national healthcare advisory firm, working with hospitals and physician groups to develop customized solutions in five main service areas: Strategy, Operations, Finance, Technology, and Compliance.
Their mission is to customize an approach for each client that ensures strategic differentiation in the marketplace and the achievement of every goal across all performance areas. Through principled professional consulting, they assist healthcare providers in their pursuit of a sound business model and an enhanced patient experience.
Interested in Exhibiting? We still have a few spots left! Email April Noel at april@ctel.org for more information, and to reserve your digital booth today!
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The information you need now.
CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series:
Free for All Summit Attendees
All December 2019 and June 2020 Summit attendees have free access to our Pandemic Webinar series.
Policy is moving fast to keep pace with the pandemic-we want to make sure our stakeholders have the most up-to-date information to get their job done.
Not registered for the Summit?
You can access individual webinars for $99 each or sign up for the Summit below!
Coming Soon
Wednesday, April 15 @ 2:00 ET: Telehealth and Long-Term Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
TBD: Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
TBD: Health Occupational Licensure Compacts and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Recordings
HIPAA Privacy and Security Training: HIPAA In The Time of COVID
Medicare and Medicaid Telehealth Reimbursement Waivers in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Virtual Prescribing In a Pandemic: How the Rules Have Changed
Licensure During the Pandemic
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American Hospital Association Sends Letter of Telehealth Recommendations
Last week the American Hospital Association (AHA) sent an open letter to President Trump.
The AHA thanked the President for his Executive Order in support of making some COVID-19 telehealth measures permanent and laid out recommendations for expansion.
In the letter AHA requested that HHS and CMS:
Expand the list of Medicare telehealth services to include those that were added during the pandemic; allow virtual check-ins and e-visits to be used for new and established patients; allow remote patient-monitoring to be used for new and established patients, and for acute and chronic conditions; and allow direct supervision to be provided using real-time, interactive audio and visual technology.
AHA also recommended that CMS and HHS develop a system to cover and reimburse for audio-only telehealth services.
For the full story, read here. Read the letter here.
HRSA Awards Additional Funds to Rural Telehealth Programs
The Health and Human Services Department's Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced $35 million in awards to 50 rural organizations in 33 states.
Nearly $12 million in grants will go towards "expanding access to telehealth services in rural parts of the country."
Additionally, HRSA is awarding $8.8 million to organizations across 23 states through the Telehealth Network Grant Program.
For the full list of award allocations, read here.
Democratic Senators Charge FCC with Mismanagement of Rural Telehealth Programs
In an August 20 letter, fourteen Senators charged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Chairman Ajit Pai with mismanagement of rural telehealth programs.
The Senators state that "the Commission has not made sufficient funding available, has delayed rural health care funding decisions, and has not been transparent about its operations."
The letter requests that Chairman Pai address five specific concerns by September 3.
The concerns range from the backlog of funding applications to the FCC's lack of transparency.
This is not the first time lawmakers have called on Chairman Pai and the FCC to share more information.
Read the full story here and the letter here.
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Just 4 questions
Medicare RPM Reimbursement Survey
Does your organization file Medicare claims for remote patient monitoring?
Take our 4-question community survey!
Take the Survey
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CTeL''s Summit, June 17-19, is on!
JOIN US: CTeL Summit
Virtually or In-Person
June 17-19, 2020
We can''t wait to see you-virtually or in-person-at our June 2020 Summit and Hill Day. Our virtual offering will provide complete Summit sessions, conversations, congressional meetings, and networking.
Summit attendees also have access to six months of:
CTeL research
Unlimited CTeL Connects webinars
Free access to our Pandemic Response webinar series
Working groups & policy coalitions
Updates on policies and regulations impacting digital health
Technical assistance on general policies, regulations, and trends
Telehealth is center stage in the pandemic response- help us keep the momentum going by joining us at the CTeL Summit!
Have questions? Want to know more? You can reach us at (202) 499-6970.
REGISTER HERE
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Payers in Nebraska Must Now Cover Asynchronous Dermatology
Last week, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signed LB 760 into law, requiring "payers in the state to cover telehealth services provided by a dermatologist on an asynchronous (store-and-forward) platform."
Dermatology was one of the original uses for store-and-forward technology and is a popular telehealth service.
Senator Mark Kolterman, who says the bill "expands access to quality care", introduced the bill in January.
With skin cancer occurrences trending in the state, Senator Kolterman noted that accessing quality healthcare from a specialist is imperative.
Read the full story here.
Arizona Nurse Sanctioned For Fraudulently Using Telehealth
A telemedicine business accused of fraudulent practices is facing official action after an Arizona news outlet exposed the situation in April.
The business used dozens of fake addresses to market their supposed Urgent Care Centers, boosting their business to the top of Google results and increasing business.
When Google was notified, they removed the fake addresses.
Upon calling the Urgent Care number, a reporter was diagnosed and prescribed an antibiotic-all via text.
The prescription was written by a registered nurse who was previously denied authority to prescribe in Arizona.
The Arizona State Board of Nursing has voted to revoke the nurses license. ? Read the full story here.
New CMS Funding Model Launched to Promote Rural Connected Care
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a new funding model, CHART (Community Health Access and Rural Transformation) Model, in response to President Trumps Executive Order.
The model is designed to help rural communities develop connected healthcare platforms.
The program has two tracks: the Community Transformation Track and the Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) Transformation Track.
Key facets of both tracks include continuing the COVID-19 expansion of telehealth.
Read the full story here and a CMS Fact Sheet here.
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CTeL's Coronavirus Webinar Series
Mark E. Reagan, JD
Hooper, Lundy, & Bookman, PC
Jeremy Sherer, JD, LLM
Hooper, Lundy, & Bookman, PC
Telehealth and Long-Term Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Wednesday, April 15th at 2:00 ET
This webinar will discuss:
How telehealth can be leveraged in the post-acute space
Medicare coverage, limitations on service, and CMS waivers affecting long-term care
Challenges facing long-term care organizations in the midst of the pandemic
This series is $99 per webinar for non-Summit attendees.
Non-Attendees Register Here
Summit Attendees
Contact aileen@ctel.org for your free registration link!
These webinars are no extra cost to June 2020 and December 2019 Summit attendees-a value of $495 for all five webinars.
Join us at the Summit-virtually!-and get your free access today.
Register for the Summit
Coming Soon
TBD: Commercial Payer: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Past Webinars In This Series
Recording Available: Privacy and Security During COVID-19: HIPAA and Beyond
Recording Available: Medicare and Medicaid: Telehealth Reimbursement During COVID-19
Recording Available: Ryan Haight and Telehealth Prescribing During COVID-19: The Fight Against Dual Epidemics
Recording Available: Licensure During the Pandemic
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Stakeholder Survey
Telehealth Education: Impact on Provider Experience and Adoption
Please take a moment to read the letter below and participate in the survey on the impact of telehealth education on provider experience and adoption.
Kelli Garber, MSN, APRN, PPCNP-BC
2202 Hamlin Sound Circle
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
Kgarb002@odu.edu
July 27, 2020
Re: National Telehealth Education Survey
Dear Colleague,
I am writing to request your participation in a national survey of telehealth providers. Prior to COVID-19, one of the primary barriers to telehealth adoption was adequate training of clinicians. There is a lack of current knowledge about where and how providers are educated to use telehealth. The purpose of this study is to determine where and what kind of telehealth education practicing telehealth providers receive and whether there is a correlation between the type of telehealth education received and provider practice site, level of self-efficacy, perceived knowledge, use and satisfaction with telehealth.
I am requesting that you complete an electronic research survey titled "Telehealth Education: Impact on Provider Experience and Adoption." The survey will take less than 15 minutes to complete. Your participation is voluntary and the information reported is anonymous with no traceability of your answers. Computer information used to complete the survey will not be collected. Consent to participate is implied by completion of the survey and may be withdrawn at any time.
Please access the anonymous survey at the following link: https://redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=7TPLRJM3KH
This research is part of my capstone project in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Old Dominion University. Your input may greatly impact the future of telehealth education. Identifying effective forms of telehealth education may influence the development of future education programs, leading to an improved telehealth provider experience and enhanced provider adoption of telehealth.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 301-606-7883 or kgarb002@odu.edu , Dr. Tina Gustin (Responsible Principal Investigator) at 757-285-6215 or tgustin@odu.edu or Dr. Tancy Vandecar-Burdin, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Chair at Old Dominion University, at 757-683-3802 or tvandeca@odu.edu to review this matter with you. You may also contact the Office of Research at 757-683-3460.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this important study.
Warm Regards,
Kelli Garber, MSN, APRN, PPCNP-BC
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New Republican-Backed Telehealth Legislation Combines Nine Separate Bills
Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO) has introduced the Telehealth Act (HR 7992), a bill that combines other telehealth bills into one piece of telehealth legislation.
According to her press release, Rep. Wagner's Republican colleagues support the overarching bill because the "patient-centered legislation bridges several Republican health care priorities."
The following bullets list the telehealth bills included under the Telehealth Act and provide brief summaries.
The Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act (HR 7338) focuses on continuing telehealth measures put in place by the CARES Act with emphasis on access to technology for seniors in rural areas.
The EASE Behavioral Health Services Act (HR 5473) bypasses Medicare geographic restrictions and expands Medicare and Medicaid coverage of telemental services.
The Telemedicine Everyone Lifting Everyone''s Healthcare Experience and Long Term Health (TELEHEALTH) HSA Act (S 4039) makes permanent the preferred treatment of remote care services and telehealth in health savings accounts.
The VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act (HR 3228) allows VA healthcare trainees and post graduates to use connected care platforms to treat veterans under supervision by VA-sanctioned providers.
The Telehealth Across State Lines Act (HR 4900) creates a uniform standard of telehealth best practices nationwide as well as a grant program for telehealth in rural communities.
The Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act (S 4103) makes permanent some COVID telehealth measures that increased access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.
The KEEP Telehealth Options Act (HR 7233) calls on several government departments to conduct studies on telehealth use and effectiveness during COVID.
The Enhancing Preparedness Through Telehealth Act (S 3988) directs Health and Human Services to monitor telehealth programs to learn how telehealth is currently being used and how it can be more effectively used during emergencies.
The HEALTH Act (HR 7187) makes Medicare coverage of federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics permanent.
Read the full story here.
$22 Million in Grant Funds Issued to Analyze Telehealth COVID-19 Care
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is issuing grants to seven programs across the country that have used telehealth during the pandemic.
The Washington-based non-profit "aims to learn how different healthcare approaches have improved outcomes among the people infected with COVID-19 and lessened the effects on certain populations and communities."
PCORI is dispersing $22 million among seven different programs.
Four of the programs are specifically dedicated to connected healthcare: Penn State University's Hershey Medical Center, the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, and the State University of New York.
The remaining three may have connected healthcare components but have other goals as well: the University of California at San Francisco, the RAND Corporation, and the University of Southern California.
Read the full story here.
Two Congressmen Working on Legislation for Veteran Telemental Services
US Representatives Jared Golden (D-ME) and Jim Banks (R-IN) are working on a proposal for telemental services for veterans in rural communities.
Their legislation directs the "Department of Veterans Affairs to create programs at three VA facilities that use computerized cognitive behavioral therapy to treat veterans who suffer from conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder."
Golden and Banks feel this legislation is especially important for rural vets because the distance from where they live to the location of the center is sometimes too great for them to travel.
Read the full story here.
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Hi Noah,
CTeL will be meeting with CMS, HHS, and the White House about telehealth COVID issues. We would love your input as we prepare for these meetings. ?
You can set up time with Christa directly here HERE, or I am happy to coordinate a call on your behalf.
Stay
well,
April
April Noel Event Organizer
Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law
april@ctel.org
(202) 975-0755 - Direct | (202) 499-6970 - Main
www.ctelsummit.org
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Idaho Governor Making COVID Telehealth Permanent
Idaho Governor Brad Little waived over 125 regulations on telehealth and medical licensure in the past month due to COVID.
On Monday, Gov. Little issued an executive order to make permanent the loosened telehealth restrictions.
This comes just in time as the state's positive COVID cases passes 100 new cases a day.
Read the full story here.
New Jersey Telehealth Bill Requires Same Rate Reimbursement
New Jersey's Assembly Health Committee approved a new telehealth bill focused on access and affordability of care.
Assembly Democrats Joann Downey, Herb Conaway, Eric Houghtaling, Daniel Benson, and Robert Karabinchak sponsored bill A-4179/4200.
Current law states that providers may be reimbursed for telehealth up to the rate for in-person services.
If passed, medical providers would be reimbursed for telehealth services at the same rate as the equivalent service provided in-person.
Additionally, the bill prohibits geographical limitations on the origin of telehealth services.
The bill would also prohibit restricting the technological platform as long as it meets the applicable standards of care and meets federal privacy rules.
The bill now awaits further consideration from the Speaker.
Read the full story here.
Lawmakers Call for Evidence to Support Continuing Emergency Telehealth Post-COVID
The House is currently considering the KEEP Telehealth Options Act.
The bill calls for "the Health and Human Services Department and the Government Accountability Office to conduct separate studies on telehealth use and outcomes."
The goal is to gather the appropriate evidence to offer support for Congressional efforts to continue COVID telehealth measures past the public health emergency.? Representatives Cindy Axne (D-Iowa) and Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) co-sponsored the bill.
The bill details the areas of focus for each department's study and sets deadlines for the completion of the research.
Read the full story here.
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
CMS Finalizes New Telehealth Rule for Medicare Advantage
On Friday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized a new rule for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans.
While the new rule addresses a variety of issues, it specifically makes telehealth more accessible for MA recipients.
MA plans can offer telehealth services from more specialty providers under the new rule than they could previously.
Primary Care, Cardiology, Nephrology, and Infectious Disease are just some of the specialty areas the rule allows MA plans to recognize.
These specialties can now be counted toward network adequacy requirements.
Read the full story here and the CMS Fact Sheet here.
Colorado's Medical Marijuana Telehealth Executive Order Set to Expire
Colorado Governor Jared Polis temporarily lifted the physical examination requirement for medical marijuana recommendations during the pandemic.
As a result, patients were able to consult with their physician via telehealth for their medical marijuana needs.
The executive order was initially set to expire in April but was extended to May 30th.
With the expiration of the extension soon approaching, there is talk of making telehealth a more permanent part of medical marijuana.
In order to do so, the state would have to change the Colorado Medical Practice Act, which prohibits physical examinations over telehealth for medical marijuana appointments.
Alternately, the Colorado Medical Board could reverse a 2015 rule that bans medical marijuana from telehealth practice.
Read the full story here.
Senate Bill to Add $2 billion for Rural Telehealth Broadband Expansion
The newest telehealth expansion legislation is the Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act.
The bill would allocate $2 billion to the Federal Communications Commission's Rural Health Care (RHC) Program for telehealth broadband expansion in rural areas.
The bill was introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and co-sponsored by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Boozman (R-AR), Angus King (I-ME), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Ed Markey (D-MA).
A companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Don Young (R-AK).
The United States Telecom Association, America''s Communications Association, the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, and the Fiber Broadband Association are among the groups in support of the new act.
Read the full story here.
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
Florida Extends Emergency Telehealth Rule for Medical Marijuana
Florida extended the emergency telehealth rule for practitioners prescribing medical marijuana at 6pm on April 15, the date it was set to expire. The rule now expires May 8.
Prior to extending the rule, the Department of Health acknowledged the difficulty physicians would face in delivering care safely during the pandemic if the rule were to expire.
Florida has 333,625 medical marijuana patients and 2,537 qualified physicians. Medical marijuana patients must meet with their doctors every 210 days to maintain their status as a qualified patient.
Extending the rule ensures that medical marijuana patients and their physicians are able to stay safe and continue medical treatment during the pandemic.
Read the full story here.
New Telehealth Insurance Standards in Texas
The Texas Division of Workers' Compensation issued a new emergency rule, 28 Texas Administrative Code ? 167.1, effective April 13, regarding the use of telehealth for physical medicine and rehabilitation services during the pandemic.
The rule creates an exception to current CMS distant site practitioner requirements.
The rule allows "physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists to bill and be reimbursed for services currently allowed under CMS telemedicine and telehealth billing codes."
The rule will be officially published on April 24, 2020.
Read the full story here.
Bipartisan Effort to Expand Access to Tele-mental Health for Medicare Recipients
Last week U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Grace Napolitano (D-CA) sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services urging the agencies to expand Medicare-covered telehealth services.
The CARES Act authorizes HHS to waive current audio/video telehealth requirements during the pandemic, which would enable Medicare recipients to consult with medical professionals using only the telephone.
The social distancing requirements of the pandemic make expanding mental health access even more imperative.
Read the full story here.
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
Doctor on Demand Partnership Expands Telehealth Access in Massachusetts
Massachusetts launched a partnership with Doctor On Demand last week to make telehealth available to the uninsured.
Telehealth services will be provided free of charge to uninsured and Medicaid patients who have questions about COVID-19 or who have been identified through the state's contact tracing efforts as needing telehealth care.
Individuals will now have 24-hour, 7-days a week access to medical professionals through the new partnership. Wait times are expected to be less than 10 minutes.
Patients can speak with a doctor using a variety of methods, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Read the full story here and here.
Connecticut Governor Issues New Telehealth Executive Order
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont issued Executive Order No. 7FF on April 24, 2020 as part of the state's continuing effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The order expands the definition of telehealth to include audio-only telephone visits for Medicaid recipients.
The order allows these services for new or established Medicaid patients.
Read the order here and the full story here.
Medicaid and CHIP Waivers Allow More Telehealth
While private payers are waiving member payments for COVID-19 and telehealth use is increasing, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) remain behind the curve.
In response, CMS approved 125 waivers and amendments to allow state Medicaid and CHIP programs to loosen restrictions, especially in regards to telehealth use.
The waivers and amendments address greater reimbursement for telehealth as well as expanded telehealth services for recipients of both programs.
In addition to telehealth, the waivers and amendments allow states to suspend co-pays and premiums as well as relax eligibility standards for receipt of Medicaid and CHIP benefits.
Read the full story here.
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Your Biweekly Roundup of Telehealth News Stories
Today''s Telehealth Buzz
Oregon Provides Clarity on Telehealth Use During COVID-19
Two Oregon administrative agencies issued guidelines for health plans concerning the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 outbreak:
"Health plans should cover telehealth services delivered by in-network providers to replace in-person visits whenever possible and medically or clinically appropriate.
Health plans shall ensure their members' cost-sharing requirements (co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles) for services delivered via telehealth are no greater than if the service was delivered through in-person settings.
Health plans shall clearly communicate to their members and provider networks about options to receive health care services via appropriate telehealth delivery modes
Health plans shall use telehealth service delivery methods to ensure patients maintain access to behavioral health services."
Read the full story here.
Florida's Telehealth Emergency Order
In conjunction with Executive Order No. 20-52, Florida State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, MD, issued an emergency order on the use of telehealth.
The order allows certain out-of-state practitioners to provide telehealth services in Florida.
Physicians, physician assistants, and advanced registered nurse practitioners who hold a valid, clear and unrestricted license in another U.S. state or territory are included in the order.
Certain Florida physicians will also be allowed to use telehealth to prescribe controlled substances for their patients and to re-certify qualified patients for medical marijuana use under limited circumstances.
Read the full story here and read the order here.
How the CARES Act Impacts Telehealth
Last week President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The CARES Act increased funds for telehealth grants, relaxed Medicare coverage guidelines, and promotes remote patient monitoring for Medicare home health services.
The Act also removes initial requirements that providers must have seen patients within the last three years to be reimbursed for telehealth services.
The American Telemedicine Association, the Center for Connected Health Policy, and eHealth Initiative were among the many who widely supported the passage of the CARES Act.
Read the full story here.
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New Florida Telehealth Bill Advocates Simplifying Telehealth Regulations
State Representative Tom Fabricio introduced a new telehealth bill to improve the state's telehealth.
HB 247 "aims to expand telehealth treatment by allowing care providers to virtually prescribe controlled substances" and "include[s] audio-only phone calls in the definition for telehealth."
The bill also uses a novel approach to reducing the complexity of telehealth regulations: "addition by subtraction."
The bill removes what is already in the books, like phone calls not meeting the telehealth definition and eliminating paragraphs of practice standards for prescribing controlled substances via telehealth.
Read the full story here.
Supreme Court Case Decided Against Telehealth Abortions
The Trump Administration previously requested the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) in-person requirements for receipt of abortion-inducing medication by reinstated.
The Supreme Court granted the request on Tuesday, saying they were not addressing "whether the requirements for dispensing mifepristone impose an undue burden on a woman's right to an abortion as a general matter."
Instead, the Court considered whether the District Court correctly requested the FDA loosen the in-person requirement in the first place.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented from the majority opinion, stating that reinstating the requirement does not fall in line with other telehealth flexibilities the FDA allows in light of COVID.
Patients are able to receive opioids at home through a prescription from their doctor via telehealth, yet a woman has to travel to a clinic in order to receive a drug she will administer at home with no supervision.
Many telehealth abortion advocates see this move by the Supreme Court as an attempt to further restrict women's access to abortions when access is already limited due to COVID.
For the full story, read here.
Alliance for Connected Care Puts Pressure on Policymakers for Telehealth Interstate Licensure
The Alliance for Connected Care is increasing its pressure on federal and state lawmakers to address interstate telehealth licensure.
In an open letter to U.S. state and federal policymakers, the alliance "recommends 'state leadership with federal support,' and supports 'efforts to simplify and accelerate health professional licensure recognition across state lines'."
The letter, initially introduced last year, has garnered the support of dozens of telehealth advocates, including Ascension, John Hopkins Medicine, and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Interstate licensure is gaining momentum as policymakers like New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Florida Congressman Ted Yoho introduce legislation calling for "interstate licensing reciprocity."
For the full story, read here.
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