Fifteen or 20 years ago, the idea that we all would one day carry around mini-computers through which we could access virtually all of recorded information — and use that same device to watch movies, listen to music or make a phone call — was incomprehensible. Look at us now: Our mobile devices changed everything. […]
by Chris McCann Oct 23, 2019 Hospital readmissions are an expensive problem in the U.S. both for providers and patients. According to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the average cost of hospital readmission in 2016 was $14,400 per person. In addition to the financial cost, readmissions further strain clinical resources. With an […]
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed several telehealth bills, making the state among a dozen to support payment parity, store-and-forward care and telemedicine abortions. By Eric Wicklund October 21, 2019 – A slew of telehealth bills signed this month by Governor Gavin Newsom positions California at the forefront of the connected health movement – including making the state […]
On October 11, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law requiring commercial health insurance coverage and payment parity for telehealth services. The law will benefit patients by increasing access and availability to healthcare services, and catalyze the growth of telehealth technologies throughout California. California is representative of a growing national trend of states across the […]
Simplifying the Management of Complex Care Patients It’s complicated… Having a chronic illness is tough. Having multiple chronic conditions is even tougher. Add financial, emotional, mobility or behavioral factors, and it can seem insurmountable. People who struggle with multiple ongoing health challenges (like diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, etc.) have complex needs […]
A cancer diagnosis changes everything. First, you receive this earth-shattering news and then, you enter the maze of cancer care, with countless visits to specialists and other health care providers to discuss which treatment options are appropriate for you. Fortunately, there are options, thanks to scientific research and clinical trials. But no matter where you […]
Over the last decade, few issues in politics have been more polarizing than healthcare. It’s driven a deep wedge between Democrats and Republicans, particularly following the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the subsequent efforts to repeal it, and has caused rifts within those parties. Yet despite all the animosity, there is one […]
As the federal government, via Medicare/Medicaid, and insurance companies strive to keep “heads out of beds” (e.g., patients managed into an outpatient setting [your doctor’s office] vs. inpatient/hospital settings), the need for more clinicians and better access to care grows unabated. In an effort to manage both increased demand (e.g., access) by patients and patients […]
The American Medical Association is adding several new codes to its 2020 CPT code set to support remote patient monitoring and telehealth services. By Eric Wicklund September 09, 2019 – Remote patient monitoring and telehealth play prominently in the 2020 CPT codes unveiled this month by the American Medical Association. Among the 248 new codes added […]
The American Medical Association (AMA) released updates to its Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for 2020, including new codes to keep doctors up-to-date with new technology. The AMA released 394 code changes, including 248 new codes, 71 deletions and 75 revisions. The changes, which will take effect on January 1, 2020, reflect new tech-enabled patient services. […]
Remote patient monitoring keeps healthcare providers informed about their patients’ health between visits, and can warn them if something changes that needs immediate attention. Reda Chouffani Biz Technology Solutions Published: 19 Aug 2019 Remote patient monitoring allows providers to stay updated about their patients’ health outside of the four walls of a hospital. Being able […]
By Maggie Flynn | July 28, 2019 Skilled nursing providers are becoming increasingly interested in telehealth technology as a way of improving clinical outcomes and reducing care costs. But systemic obstacles blocking capital investment — and SNFs’ generally narrow margins — and cultural resistance mean that it’s hard for providers to implement the technology, Lana […]