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
A physician with Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham is suing to allow clinicians to treat patients in other states remotely, according to a Wall Street Journal article.
Charlottesville-based University of Virginia Health is creating a telehealth clinic that will focus on medically underserved communities all over the world.
Only 7.5% of Americans between the ages of 50-80 have used a telehealth service to access care, according to a study by the University of Michigan.
Mental health conditions remain the most popular telehealth diagnosis, while COVID-19 has fallen out of the top five, nonprofit researcher FAIR Health reported.
As the pressure of shortages continues to mount, hospitals are turning to virtual nursing to alleviate stress and connect patients with more resources. These three hospitals and systems have recently expanded or implemented the practice:
Rates of follow-up appointments in physicians offices have remained steady over the past three years, but follow-ups after telehealth appointments are slightly more likely, according to a report published Jan. 9 by Epic Research.
A new partnership between Teladoc and Aramark will allow hospitals to connect registered dietitians with their patients using cloud-based technology.
Hartford, Conn., residents will have a new option to receive healthcare where they shop.
Georgia physicians once again have the ability to prescribe controlled substances to telehealth patients without an in-person visit.
As COVID-19-era telehealth regulations expire, lawmakers and industry advocates aim to finalize telehealth regulations in three areas, Bloomberg Law reported Dec. 29.