Telehealth

Third-party contracted physicians prescribed antibiotics at a higher rate over telemedicine than their affiliated counterparts, a study published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare found. 

HSS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a toolkit to help healthcare providers prepare for the July 16 launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, according to a March 16 America Hospital Association news release. 

Teladoc Health unveiled a framework to help employers and health plans enhance their healthcare benefits by integrating virtual care.

Telehealth apps that aim to help treat the nation's addiction and opioid epidemic are increasing in popularity, drawing in investor dollars, but critics wonder whether the treatments are equitable, reported Kaiser Health News March 21. 

A March 15 HHS Office of the Inspector General report concluded telehealth was critical for providing services to Medicare beneficiaries during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Fifty-five percent of healthcare providers are frustrated with managing patient expectations for telehealth visits, according to research released March 15 by UnitedHealth Group.

National utilization trends suggest telehealth has not expanded access to healthcare, as only a small number of people make up the majority of users, FastCompany reported March 18.

The VA wants to make telephone mental healthcare appointments permanent to better serve veterans reluctant to receive in-person care, Military.com reported March 17. 

Health centers serving underserved populations through telemedicine should ensure they are collecting disaggregated data, building essential care teams and working with non-English speakers to create their programs, according to a recent report.

The Federal Communications Commission on March 16 selected the fourth and final set of  projects for its Connected Care Pilot Program, awarding nearly $30 million to 16 providers.