Telehealth

National policies for telemedicine reimbursement should aim to improve access to care, a metric that affects rural and urban residents alike, four health and emergency medicine researchers wrote in an Oct. 12 op-ed published in Health Affairs.

Chicago-based Operternative filed a legal complaint last month alleging online eyeglass retailer Warby Parker violated a non-disclosure agreement when it launched its "Prescription Check" feature, reports TechCrunch.

Eureka, Calif.-based St. Joseph Hospital introduced a mobile telepsychiatry machine into its emergency room, KIEM-TV reports.

The CDC awarded University of Florida Health Science Center-Jacksonville a $2.2 million grant to research how telemedicine might improve HIV care for patients in urban areas.

While the decision to deploy telehealth services often becomes mired in concerns over reimbursement, quality and care continuity, one facet of remote care continues to gain traction — remote patient monitoring.

The Terre Haute-based Indiana Rural Health Association received a $1 million grant from HHS to support its services, Indiana Public Media reports.

American consumers are split on their willingness to use telemedicine services, according to a UnitedHealthcare report.

The Joint Commission, an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs, scrubbed its proposed telehealth requirements for hospitals, the commission confirmed with Becker's Hospital Review in an email statement Thursday.

Reston, Va.-based Avizia, which partners with providers to deploy and power systemwide telehealth solutions, acquired Seattle-based Carena, a virtual care provider, Oct. 10.

The Personal Connected Health Alliance welcomed 10 new company members to their organization Oct. 10.