In some ways, the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) proposed rules for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine are a sign of progress. Behavioral health could be getting some much-needed clarity, but at what cost?

Making predictions in unpredictable times can be dangerous. As long-held certainties – even ones as […]

There are three major tensions that still need to be addressed in virtual care or telemedicine before it can work as promised.

Convenient

While telehealth has provided many benefits throughout the pandemic, it can be a lonely and sterile way of receiving treatment. Individuals experiencing substance use disorder who only receive treatment through telehealth may miss opportunities to connect with others in support of the recovery process.

Improving Customer Experience and Conversion in Healthcare & Life Sciences.

Nurses face challenges that put themselves and their patients at risk. Using closed claim data, Coverys identified nursing risk trends. A full report, including recommendations, will be released this year.

Carilion Clinic, a health system based in Roanoke, Virginia, recently unveiled its partnership with TytoCare, a New York City-based telehealth company. The partnership aims to strengthen the health system’s ability to diagnose and treat patients remotely with virtual physical examinations.

The terms telehealth, telemedicine, virtual care and digital health are often used interchangeably, but that doesn’t mean they should be. Understanding how different stakeholders use telehealth terms is key to effectively communicating about the care modality — a crucial consideration as its permanent coverage status remains undetermined.

Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, says telehealth holds significant potential to save the future of rural healthcare. However, ongoing problems such as spotty broadband access, poor digital literacy and inadequate communication are preventing utilization from becoming widespread across rural communities.

Telemedicine has a place in orthopedics; not only can range of motion measurements be taken virtually as effectively as in-person, but telehealth offers additional advantages including the potential to take 2D measurements that help …..

Telehealth has proven itself undeniably practical. However, ensuring its long-term survival will require ongoing work and revision, including broadband improvements, permanent Medicare reforms, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact participation and payment parity assurance.

The venture capital firm conducted a 12-month exhaustive search and found no dedicated venture fund for telehealth, Sid Jawahar, its founder and managing partner said. Swiftarc Telehealth will focus initially on obesity care, mental and behavioral health, and pediatrics.

Reason Foundation, Cicero Institute, and Pioneer Institute released a report that rates each state’s current telehealth policy both in terms of ease of offering virtual care as well as patients’ ability to access telehealth.

According to Rock Health’s annual consumer adoption survey, telehealth users tend to be higher income, younger and live in urban areas. The survey also tracked people’s satisfaction with telehealth and what modalities people used most to access care. 

A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that telehealth use increased 63-fold during the pandemic. But it also found significant disparities in telehealth use between urban and rural residents. 

By putting a solid telehealth/virtual care partner solution in place, primary care physicians can provide extended guidance and care to their patients outside of their office hours.

Valera Health provides teletherapy services for mental health, ranging from mild to serious conditions. The company recently raised $15 million in funding led by Windham Venture Partners. 

As more companies spin up their own telehealth products, Teladoc CEO Jason Gorevic said the company continues to acquire and retain customers by having a full suite of solutions. He expects that point solutions will have a harder time going forward. 

After UnitedHealthcare and Aetna announced plans to launch virtual primary care plans, Cigna is rolling out its own with select employers. It’s also offering a broader suite of telehealth services to everyone enrolled in employer-sponsored plans. 

By all accounts, Ro is a successful direct-to-consumer telehealth and pharmacy services startup. At the recently-concluded HLTH conference, Ro’s chief medical officer speculated on how it might enter the business-to-business healthcare world.

The company plans to pair its direct-to-consumer genetic testing with Lemonaid’s online coaching and prescription delivery. It plans to buy the company for $400 million in stock and cash. 

The online retailer confirmed plans to bring Amazon Care to Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and Los Angeles, to name a few. But it’s still not clear how many other employers are buying into its telehealth and in-home care service.

The combined company, now called Included Health, is selling employers on its integrated virtual care and patient navigation services. Doctor on Demand President Robin Glass shared more about what the company has planned next and how it’s setting itself apart from other digital health platforms.

Through a string of recent acquisitions, Best Buy has been building out its health business, with a focus on consumer technology and support for seniors. With its acquisition of Current Health, the company is making a bet that demand for remote patient monitoring will continue to increase. 

Brave Care leverages its technology and data platform to provide primary and urgent care for children. It provides care remotely and through its five brick-and-mortar clinics, which it plans to expand to 100 in the next few years.

At a recent panel discussion, healthcare executives agreed that telehealth will remain an important part of care delivery post-pandemic, so now is the time for providers to figure out how best to incorporate these services alongside in-person care. Actionable data will prove to be a key resource for providers as they tweak their strategies.

The call to action is that point-of-care testing needs to move to the home and it needs to be supported by a Medicaid or Medicare billing code to support insurance coverage and payment for the testing.

The company, which helps health systems operate virtual care programs through its platform, will use the new funds to scale its go-to-market efforts, invest in the development of new capabilities and hire new employees.

A look at how SAP’s cloud services are helping healthcare providers respond to public health crisis.

The practice, which initially will only be offered to CareFirst BCBS commercial members, provides an array of services, including preventive care, insurance navigation and behavioral and mental health services. Patients will be referred to in-person care with local providers when needed.