Congress Gets Another Shot at Codifying Telehealth Coverage for FQHCs, RHCs
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Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
Support Builds to Add Telehealth Options for Critical Access Hospitals
Telehealth advocates are rallying behind a bill that would allow rural and remote hospitals to use telehealth to treat patients in surrounding communities who are dealing with mental health issues. By Eric Wicklund March 29, 2021 – A new bill before Congress aims to expand telehealth access for patients living with mental health concerns at rural hospitals. The […]
Washington is Awash in New and Reintroduced Telehealth Bills
In advance of the next session of Congress, lawmakers are scrambling to file new bills or resubmit old bills that aim to expand telehealth access and coverage through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic. By Eric Wicklund January 29, 2021 – The telehealth bills are starting to pile up on Capitol Hill. At least three more bills have been […]
ATA, HIMSS Lobby Congress to Extend Telehealth Freedoms Through ‘21
In a letter to Congressional leaders, several telehealth groups have asked that emergency measures enacted during the coronavirus pandemic be kept in place through 2021 as Congress continues to work on long-term coverage. By Eric Wicklund December 15, 2020 – Telehealth advocates are lobbying Congress to get something done before the end of the year to ensure continued […]
Trump Administration Invests $72 Million in Distance Learning and Telemedicine Infrastructure in 40 States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Investments will Benefit More Than 12 Million Rural Residents WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $72 million in grants to help rural residents gain access to health care and educational opportunities. These investments will benefit more than 12 […]
Lawmakers detail how to transition telehealth from emergency response to permanent tool: 3 details
To ensure telehealth provisions lifted during the COVID-19 pandemic become permanent, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., and Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., are focusing on broadband access and Medicare reimbursement initiatives, according to NextGov. Three details: 1. The lawmakers said that HIPAA relaxations enacted during the public health emergency, including allowing telehealth visits over platforms such as Zoom […]
HHS Releases Rural Action Plan
On September 3, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its Rural Action Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan: (i) details the challenges rural communities endure; (ii) provides an assessment of current and upcoming rural healthcare efforts; (iii) lays out a “Four Point Strategy” to address the disparities between rural and urban communities; and (iv) […]
Advocating for underserved populations: Is remote patient monitoring the answer?
It’s crucial that today’s providers, innovators, and regulators alike continue to push for such tech adoption, driving virtual, continuous care in populations disproportionately affected by disease. By TARA DAVIS Post a comment / Oct 2, 2020 at 12:03 PM For years, healthcare providers have struggled to ensure that minorities, individuals residing in rural and low-income populations, and patients […]
Alert: FCC Offers Guidance to Healthcare Providers Seeking Funding for Telehealth Services
The Federal Communications Commission released a public notice to help eligible healthcare providers apply for funding through the FCC’s Connected Care Pilot Program. The $100 million Connected Care Pilot Program is designed to offset eligible healthcare providers’ costs for connected care services, particularly to low-income Americans and veterans. Applications are expected to open soon, and interested entities should […]
We’ve failed in chronic care management It’s time to change course.
In rearchitecting the system by training every care provider in every specialty, and enable lower-cost providers and communities, we will provide a new model of care where a physician isn’t the person who helps us when we’re sick — they help us be healthy. By STEPHANIE TILENIUS / Sep 28, 2020 at 5:29 PM The way we […]
Federal Plan Proposes Improving Rural Health Care Through Telehealth
A new plan released by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) earlier this month calls for improving rural health care services, especially by facilitating the expansion of telehealth in rural communities. Even before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health care in rural areas has struggled with a number of longstanding challenges, including clinician shortages […]
HHS, FCC and USDA launch joint rural telehealth initiative: 3 details
HHS, FCC and USDA on Sept. 1 signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on efforts to improve telehealth services and address health disparities in rural areas. The Rural Telehealth Initiative ultimately aims to use telehealth to supplement gaps in the healthcare system for rural Americans, who have been impacted by hospital closures and lack of specialty […]
HHS partners with FCC and USDA on rural telehealth initiative
Telehealth plays an increasingly critical part in treating patients, improving health outcomes and lowering costs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work together on the Rural Telehealth Initiative, a joint effort to collaborate and share information to address health […]