Telehealth

The South Carolina House passed a proposal April 4 that would require the state to help pay for expanded broadband internet access in low-income counties, the Charlotte Observer reports.

Pediatric patients were more often prescribed antibiotics during direct-to-consumer telemedicine visits than during in-person urgent care or primary care appointments, according to research published in Pediatrics.

Johnson City, Tenn.-based Ballad Health is changing what services it offers at two hospitals in Greene County, Tenn., according to NBC affiliate WCYB.

Advantia Health, a female-focused health technology company that provides specialized care for women, purchased video chat platform Pacify, which serves new and expectant mothers.

Worcester-based University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Group awarded four of its physicians $200,000 for their telemedicine initiative aimed at increasing evaluations of individuals suspected of opioid overdose, Worcester Business Journal reports.

Walla Walla, Wash.-based Providence St. Mary Medical Center launched an emergency telemedicine program for pediatric patients after receiving a financial donation and letter from a local family of a child who previously needed emergency medical care, KNDO, an NBC affiliate, reports.

Private insurance claim lines for telehealth services increased 53 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to a Fair Health report.

Teladoc Health launched telemedicine services in Canada, allowing patients to access virtual care anywhere across the country as well as in the U.S.

Sprint is offering free, unlimited wireless data to veterans who use its network for virtual appointments with their Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare providers.

Grand Blanc, Mich.-based McLaren Health Care launched a telehealth service for patients seeking non-emergency care, Crain's Detroit Business reports.