Telehealth

U.S. Reps. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., and Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., introduced a bill on June 12 that would codify Medicare reimbursement for community health centers and rural health clinics for telehealth services.

Rennova Health plans to spin off its diagnostics and software businesses to create a company focused on providing telehealth, the West Palm Beach, Fla.-based provider said last week. 

An article published by the Epic Health Research Network outlined data on the top 10 telehealth visit diagnoses during the height of the pandemic.

When David Tam, MD, joined Lewes, Del.-based Beebe Healthcare as CEO in February, one of his top priorities was examining the system's telehealth program and finding ways to optimize it.

While investing in high-speed broadband is necessary to expand access to telehealth in rural and underserved areas, communities will need to work with local healthcare organizations to develop strategies that meet their unique needs.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved 10 waves of COVID-19 telehealth program applications, funneling $104 million in funding to healthcare providers across 42 states and Washington, D.C.  

Health systems across the nation drastically expanded telehealth services during the pandemic so patients could receive care while social distancing and minimizing the virus spread.

While the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders put pressure on health insurers to expand telehealth coverage, some payers are taking steps to further expand coverage and implement permanent policies. 

The Federal Communications Commission approved its 10th wave of COVID-19 telehealth program applications, awarding another $20.18 million to 67 healthcare providers across the country.

Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare recently began providing hospital-level care to patients at home through its digital health platform and remote monitoring technologies.