Telehealth policy and regulation
Telehealth policies and regulations aim to ensure safe, effective and accessible virtual care delivery. They establish rules for patient privacy, provider licensing, reimbursement and technology standards and provide guardrails to protect against fraud, waste and abuse. These policies and regulations are critical for enhancing healthcare access and clinical outcomes.
Top Stories
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Podcast
17 Dec 2024
Exploring key telehealth policy considerations for 2025
Despite growing calls from the industry, Congress has yet to act on telehealth flexibilities, highlighting the varied considerations for comprehensive telehealth policies. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2024
Lawmakers join calls for extension of telehealth flexibilities
Following calls from industry groups and healthcare organizations, lawmakers are urging Congress to extend pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024. Continue Reading
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News
26 May 2020
Lawmakers Push to Extend Telehealth Freedoms Past the COVID-19 Emergency
More than 30 members of Congress are asking Congressional leadership to extend regulatory freedoms for telehealth in mental health settings past the COVID-19 emergency. Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2020
CMS Finalizes Telehealth Reimbursement for MA Plans, ESRD Patients
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a final rule on expanded telehealth coverage for members in Medicare Advantage plans and those living with end-stage renal disease. Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2020
Congressional Support Builds for Broadband Funding to Aid Telehealth
A group of Senators has submitted a bill seeking to set aside $2 billion for the FCC's Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, adding to the groundswell of support for efforts to expand broadband to boost telehealth in rural areas. Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2020
Hospice Care Providers Ask CMS to Make Telehealth Coverage Permanent
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relaxed its guidelines to help care providers expand their telehealth services during the COVID-19 crisis. Hospice care providers don't want that to end with the emergency. Continue Reading
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News
14 May 2020
TRICARE Cuts Telehealth Co-pays, OKs Phone Calls During COVID-19 Crisis
Prompted by a letter from two senators, the Defense Department's health plan is relaxing its rules regarding telehealth coverage to improve access to care for military members and their families. Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2020
New Bill Aims to Give FQHCs, RHCs Relief From Telehealth Paperwork
The bill aims to fix language in the CARES Act that expands Medicare coverage for telehealth, but swamps it in paperwork and in some cases enables clinics to receive more money for virtual care than for in-person care. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 May 2020
With COVID-19 Stressing Providers, PAs Lobby for Their Place in Telehealth
An organization focused on physician assistants in virtual care is launching a membership drive and shining the spotlight on how PAs can be used to ease provider stress and access issues during (and after) COVID-19. Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2020
Telehealth Advocates Set Their Sights on Private Payer Coverage
The American Medical Association is backing a bill that calls on private payers to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate as in-person care during the Coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2020
CMS Expands COVID-19 Telehealth Reimbursement to Therapists, Phone Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has once again expanded telehealth and mHealth reimbursement during the COVID-19 crisis, including coverage for more care providers and services delivered by audio-only phones. Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2020
PA Governor Vetoes Telehealth Bill, Promotes New COVID-19 Guidance
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has vetoed a telehealth bill that included a ban on telemedicine abortions, and has released new guidance that expands telehealth use and coverage during the Coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2020
FCC Asked to Include Dentists in COVID-19 Telehealth Program
With dentists struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic, the American Dental Association has asked the FCC to expand its COVID-19 Telehealth Program to include teledentistry practices. Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2020
New Bill Pushes For Telehealth Coverage for Therapists, Social Workers
A new bill before Congress asks that Medicare extend telehealth reimbursement during the COVID-19 crisis to physical and occupational therapists, clinical social workers, speech pathologists and audiologists. Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2020
CMS Unveils COVID-19 Telehealth Toolkit for Medicaid, CHIP Programs
The 25-page document gives states the rundown on how they can expand Medicaid and CHIP coverage during the Coronavirus pandemic to accommodate telehealth and mHealth platforms. Continue Reading
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News
23 Apr 2020
Telemedicine Abortion Ban Dooms Passage of Long-Awaited PA Telehealth Bill
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has said he will veto a bill passed this week that establishes long-awaited guidelines for telehealth, including insurance coverage, because it includes language banning telemedicine abortions. Continue Reading
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Answer
22 Apr 2020
Carr Details FCC's Efforts to Expand Telehealth, mHealth Networks
In a Healthcare Strategies podcast taped this week, Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr explains how the agency is helping providers launch new telehealth and mHealth programs to address COVID-19 and transition to a connected care model of the future. Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2020
ATA's Johnson Charts Telehealth Strategies During, After COVID-19
In a recent Xtelligent Healthcare Media podcast, American Telemedicine Association CEO Ann Mond Johnson explained how the organization is keeping telehealth front and center during the pandemic - and its plans for ATA2020. Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2020
CMS Clarifies New Telehealth Services and Coverage for FQHCs, RHCs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued guidance on new Medicare telehealth and mHealth coverage guidelines created under the CARES Act for federally qualified health centers and rural health centers. Continue Reading
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News
17 Apr 2020
Senators Lobby CMS for Telehealth Coverage in Diabetes Prevention Programs
Noting the Coronavirus pandemic is reducing access to care providers, a dozen Senators are renewing the call to allow Medicare coverage of telehealth platforms for Diabetes Prevention Programs. Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2020
Planned Parenthood Expands Telehealth, Supports Telemedicine Abortions
Planned Parenthood is expanding its telehealth platform to all 50 states, while new efforts are made to support telemedicine abortions at a time when the Coronavirus epidemic is reducing access to care. Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2020
Congress Pressures CMS to Cover Telehealth for Therapy Services
Lawmakers are asking CMS to expand Medicare coverage during the Coronavirus pandemic for telehealth services provided by physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and audiologists. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2020
CMS Gives Doctors More Telehealth Flexibility, Postpones ET3 Launch
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is relaxing the telehealth rules again so that providers can practice at the top of their license; the agency is also postponing its new mHealth program for EMS providers to the fall. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2020
CMS Updates FAQ Document on Medicare Coverage for Telehealth
In light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated its FAQs on Medicare coverage for telehealth services. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2020
Lawmakers Seek $2B to Boost Broadband for Coronavirus Telehealth Services
The Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act, introduced on Friday, would set aside $2 billion for the FCC to improve broadband connectivity for telehealth programs taking on the Coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2020
FCC Releases Guidance for New $200M COVID-19 Telehealth Program
The FCC has released a guidance document describing how healthcare providers can apply for money from a $200 million fund created to help them improve telehealth and mHealth programs to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
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Answer
07 Apr 2020
PTs Seek Medicare Coverage for Telehealth During the Pandemic
CMS has loosened its telehealth coverage guidelines during the Coronavirus pandemic for a wide range of care providers, but not for PTs, OTs and SLPs. And they're not happy about that. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2020
Maryland Governor Signs New Telehealth Rules, Programs Into Law
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has signed into law four telehealth bills that were passed by the Legislature before the Coronavirus pandemic took effect. Among other things, they permit asynchronous telehealth programs and expand Medicaid coverage for telemental health delivered to the home. Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2020
As States Modify Telehealth Guidelines, Licensing Arguments Resurface
Mississippi's move to amend its emergency directive on telehealth use by out-of-state providers during the Coronavirus pandemic brings back familiar arguments for and against interstate licensure and portability. Continue Reading
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News
02 Apr 2020
Arizona Governor Loosens Restrictions on Telehealth for Veterinarians
Gov. Doug Ducey is giving veterinarians more leeway to use telehealth during the Coronavirus pandemic, helping not only providers and their patients but pet owners who need the support during tough times. Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2020
Maryland Adds Asynchronous Telehealth to Pandemic Treatment Toolbox
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has expanded an emergency declaration that boosts support for telehealth to include asynchronous (store-and-forward) platforms, giving providers a new modality to use during the pandemic. Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2020
CMS Affirms Payment Parity for Telehealth, Adds More Covered Services
In its latest moves to expand telehealth adoption during the Coronavirus pandemic, CMS has added 85 telehealth services to the list of services covered by Medicare and emphasized that payment will be at the same rate as in-service care. Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2020
California Orders Payers to Expand Coronavirus Telehealth Coverage
State officials are ordering insurance companies to reimburse providers for telehealth at the same rate as in-person care and expand coverage for other modalities, including video and phone-based services. Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2020
CARES Act Expands Telehealth Coverage for Medicare, FQHCs and the VA
The Coronavirus relief bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump last week expands Medicare coverage for telehealth, allows FQHCs and RHCs to qualify for coverage and boosts funding for broadband services. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2020
AMA Offers Guidelines for Telehealth Reimbursement During the Pandemic
The American Medical Association has published a document outlining how providers should be using CPT codes to document telehealth treatments during the Coronavirus emergency. Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2020
Florida Doctors Urge State Officials to Mandate Telehealth Payment Parity
In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, several states have enacted emergency legislation to mandate that payers reimburse for telehealth services at the same rate as they pay for in-person services. Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2020
States Support License Portability as a Key to Telehealth Expansion
States are moving quickly to give healthcare providers the freedom to practice across state lines, opening the door to larger telehealth networks and improved access to care during the Coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2020
HHS Sends $100M to Health Centers for Telehealth, Other Coronavirus Efforts
Funded by the March 6 supplemental relief bill and awarded through HRSA, the funding will go to more than 1,000 health centers to address screening and testing, acquire supplies and expand telehealth services. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2020
What Will Happen With Telehealth When the Emergency is Over?
Providers are using telehealth and mHealth now to take on the Coronavirus pandemic. They should also be capturing quality data and fine-tuning business plans to keep that momentum going after the emergency ends. Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2020
BCBS Network Waives Cost Sharing for Members' Telehealth Coverage
The national network of 36 independent health plans is expanding coverage for an estimated one in every three Americans, giving them no-cost access to telehealth services from in-network providers. Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2020
Feds OK Interstate Licensing, Paving Way for Telehealth Expansion
Vice President Mike Pence's announcement on Wednesday paves the way for providers to treat patients in other states, opening the door for expanded telehealth and mHealth programs. Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2020
Medicare Expands Telehealth Coverage to Curb Coronavirus
To help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Medicare is expanding their coverage of telehealth services to allow beneficiaries to seek care from their home. Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2020
Ohio Lawmakers Move Closer to Banning Telemedicine Abortions
The State Senate has passed a bill preventing physicians from using telemedicine to conduct medication abortions, sending the measure on to the Republican-controlled House. 18 states now ban the procedure. Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2020
Breaking: Telehealth Coverage Included in Coronavirus Spending Bill
Congressional leaders have agreed on a massive funding bill to address the coronavirus that authorizes Medicare to waive geographical restrictions on telehealth. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
Senators: Expand ReConnect Program to Support Rural Telehealth
A group of senators is asking the USDA to amend its ReConnect Program to allow more states to qualify for funding to improve broadband connectivity, thereby helping to expand telehealth programs in underserved regions. Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2020
CMS Mulling Medicare Reimbursement for Virtual Diabetes Programs
CMS Administrator Seema Verma has reportedly said the agency is 'exploring ways' to enable Medicare reimbursement for Diabetes Prevention Programs that use telehealth and mHealth tools. Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2020
Wisconsin Lawmakers Mull Telehealth Regulations for Dentistry
Lawmakers are preparing bills that would define how telehealth is used in dentistry and give the state's Dentistry Examining Board the authority to oversee a fast-growing connecting health trend. Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
VA Urged to Use More Telehealth to Meet Vets' Long-Term Care Needs
A GAO report estimates that the VA's budget to meet veterans' long-term care needs will double in less than 2 decades. It's urging the agency to, among other things, use telehealth to overcome access issues. Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
How the Federal Health IT Plan Impacts Data Interoperability
The federal health IT strategic plan has ambitious goals for data interoperability that will put providers on a new path for leveraging the data that has been digitized over the past decade. Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2020
California Lawmaker Proposes Statewide Telehealth Network for Children
A bill introduced this week aims to create the Children's Mental Health Access Network, a 10-site telehealth network designed to improve access to telemental health care for children throughout the state. Continue Reading
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18 Feb 2020
Kentucky Lawmakers Look to Create a Division of Telehealth Services
Roughly two years after passing a landmark law defining telehealth and establishing payment and coverage parity, Kentucky lawmakers are considering creating a cabinet-level department to oversee connected health programs. Continue Reading
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13 Feb 2020
Maryland Legislators Ready to Debate Expanding Telehealth Definition
Separate bills before Maryland's House and Senate aim to expand the definition of telehealth to include asynchronous platforms, after the state's medical board enacted an audio-video-only rule last year. Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2020
CMS Loosens Restrictions on Telehealth for Certain Shared-Risk ACOs
In a rule announced last month, CMS is giving certain ACOs at risk of owing money back to Medicare because they haven't hit spending targets more freedom to use telehealth, including services delivered to the beneficiary's home. Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2020
Oklahoma Judge Refuses to Suspend Law Banning Telemedicine Abortions
The judge refused to suspend a state law that prevents doctors from using telemedicine in medical abortions, keeping it in place as opponents sue the state to overturn it. Continue Reading
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10 Feb 2020
States Lead the Way in Adapting Telehealth to Meet Mental Health Needs
Faced with care providers wanting to use telehealth to deliver mental health services and a growing population in need of better access to care, state medical boards are taking the lead in crafting telemental health guidelines. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2020
CMS to Add MA Telehealth Coverage for Kidney Disease, Specialty Care
In a proposed rule issued this week, CMS is boosting telehealth coverage in Medicare Advantage plans for members with end-stage renal disease and giving MA members more telehealth coverage for specialist care. Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2020
Congress Looks to Consolidate, Coordinate Federal Telehealth Efforts
A new bill aims to align all federal telehealth programs and incentives through the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth by putting it under direct control of the Health and Human Services Secretary. Continue Reading
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04 Feb 2020
CCHP Unveils Telehealth Reimbursement Guide for Providers
The Center for Connected Health Policy has come out with a 21-page resource designed to help healthcare providers identify and take advantage of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for telehealth and mHealth. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2020
California Takes Another Shot at Separating Telehealth and Dentistry
A new bill before the state's Legislature would require dentists to conduct an in-person visit with patients before using telehealth. It's aimed at curbing companies that offer aligners and other services online. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2020
California Bill Seeks Medicaid Coverage for Telehealth in FQHCs, RHCs
A bill filed this week in California would allow the state's Medi-Cal program to cover telehealth services delivered at federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics. Continue Reading
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29 Jan 2020
Colorado Bill Seeks Medicaid Reimbursement for Telehealth in FQHCs
The bill would require the state's Medicaid program to reimburse roughly 200 federally qualified health centers for telehealth services at the same rate that it covers in-person services. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2020
Ohio Legislator Files New Bill to Prevent Telemedicine Abortions
The Ohio bill joins an effort in Pennsylvania and three bills introduced in Congress to require physicians to be present for medication-induced abortions, thereby taking telemedicine out of the equation. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2020
State Bill Eyes Telehealth Compact for Audiologists, Speech Specialists
An Oklahoma legislator is looking to create an interstate licensing compact so that audiologists and speech-language pathologists can use telehealth to treat patients in nearby states. Continue Reading
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20 Jan 2020
Warner Tells DEA to Launch Registration for Telehealth Prescriptions
Senator Mark Warner is taking the DEA to task for failing to launch a promised - and mandated - special registration process for care providers who want to use telehealth to prescribe controlled substances. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2020
AHRQ Pivots to mHealth, Telehealth With New Digital Health Department
The agency is renaming its Health IT Division, and says the new Division of Digital Health Research will focus on new technologies and services - including mHealth and telehealth - that help gather, transmit and analyze healthcare data. Continue Reading
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09 Jan 2020
Washington Lawmaker Will Try Again for Telehealth Payment Parity
State Senator Randi Becker is preparing to resubmit bills that would mandate payment parity for telehealth coverage and expand school-based telehealth services. Both bills failed to pass last year. Continue Reading
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08 Jan 2020
Congress Eyes Broadband Access, Telehealth to Tackle Maternal Mortality
A group of senators has submitted a bill that proposes to use data mapping to identify rural regions where lack of broadband access and high poor maternal health overlap - and where telehealth could make a difference. Continue Reading
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08 Jan 2020
CMS Grants to Help States Use Telehealth, mHealth for Pregnant Moms, Kids
CMS is issuing grants to more than a dozen states to coordinate and manage care for expectant mothers dealing with substance abuse and children with complex care needs. The programs will likely use telehealth and mHealth tools. Continue Reading
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07 Jan 2020
URAC-CHQI Deal Combines Top 2 Telehealth Accrediting Organizations
URAC will fold CHQI's accreditation programs for telehealth, remote patient monitoring and mental health and substance abuse disorder parity into its own portfolio. Continue Reading
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06 Jan 2020
Are State Medical Boards Supporting or Stifling Telehealth?
A new Health Affairs blog argues that the nation's network of state medical boards is focusing too much on local control that favors in-state operations and stifles the growth of telehealth through a free market system. Continue Reading
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09 Dec 2019
5 Things to Know About the Information Blocking Rule
With the final information blocking rule on the horizon, healthcare organizations need to prepare themselves for new requirements aimed at promoting health data exchange. Continue Reading
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16 Mar 2018
Debating the Pros And Cons of Licensure Compacts for Telehealth
Experts explain why licensure compacts are good or bad and how they may affect telehealth. Continue Reading