Virtual care news, trends and reimbursement updates
Telehealth news covering program growth, utilization and payment. Becker's tracks telehealth reimbursement policy at the federal and state level and how virtual care fits into health system strategy.
Telehealth
The Federal Communications Commission approved its 12th wave of COVID-19 telehealth program applications June 24, granting another $29.41 million to 77 healthcare providers nationwide.
Sacramento-based UC Davis Health will provide pediatric telehealth services to 14 Northern California counties through a new agreement with Partnership HealthPlan of California, effective July 1.
Minneapolis-based M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center will expand its telemedicine hub pilot to local homeless shelter for patients who need mental health and addiction therapy, Pioneer Press reports.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order June 22 to make telehealth regulations that have been relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic permanent, the Idaho Statesman reports.
Washington University and St. Louis University's medical schools plan to make telemedicine training part of their academic curriculums, according to St. Louis Public Radio.
Johns Hopkins Medicine plans to continue building momentum of its telehealth program after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Baltimore-based health system's CEO anticipating 30 percent of visits to be delivered virtually, The Jerusalem Post reports.
Miami-based Florida International University received a $50,000 grant to study the use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and address health disparities among low-income and uninsured patients in South Florida.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee this week expressed support to make certain telehealth Medicare policies that were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic permanent.
A new study published in the JAMA Open Network identifies characteristics of patients who are more likely to choose telemedicine over office visits with the same primary care clinicians.
Prior to COVID-19, CMS only covered telehealth in specific regions and circumstances with rates lower than in-person visits. However, the agency has made several provisions since March, including allowing coverage of audio-only visits and boosting reimbursement rates.