Telehealth
Telehealth is vital in increasing access to healthcare. Healthcare providers can use audiovisual, audio-only or asynchronous telehealth tools to facilitate virtual visits, improving patient experience and, in some cases, reducing healthcare costs. But hurdles like the digital divide and racial disparities, which can widen existing health inequities, must be tackled.
Top Stories
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19 Nov 2024
How the virtual ECHO model is boosting Black maternal health
The Black Maternal Health ECHO program uses telehealth to improve maternal health equity by fostering collaboration, extending education and addressing biases in care. Continue Reading
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13 Nov 2024
Telehealth does not raise rates of low-value primary care
New research shows telehealth use in primary care doesn't increase low-value services, like unnecessary tests, addressing concerns about wasteful healthcare practices. Continue Reading
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12 May 2022
Telehealth Company Owners Charged in $64M Fraud Scheme
Owners of a nationwide telemedicine company, Stephen Luke and David Laughlin, pleaded guilty to healthcare kickback and fraud charges. Continue Reading
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12 May 2022
Establishing Strong Provider-Patient Relationships Through a Screen
Telehealth can make it harder for clinicians to establish solid relationships with patients, but comprehensive training and a shift in mindset can go a long way toward ensuring patient satisfaction. Continue Reading
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11 May 2022
Telehealth Reduced Racial Disparities in Primary Care Access in 2020
A new study reveals the gap between the number of primary care visits among Black and non-Black patients closed during the pandemic due to increased telehealth use. Continue Reading
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11 May 2022
HHS Provides $16M to Bolster Telehealth at Family Planning Clinics
The Title X family planning program has received $16.3 million from HHS to support and expand telehealth services. Continue Reading
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10 May 2022
U of Maryland Medical School to Establish Virtual Reality Care Center
Following a grant from the National Science Foundation, the University of Maryland School of Medicine aims to enhance virtual reality-based care by creating a new center. Continue Reading
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10 May 2022
COVID-19 Falls from Top 5 Telehealth Diagnoses List
COVID-19 dropped off the top five telehealth diagnoses list in February amid a 9.3 percent decline in overall telehealth use, new data shows. Continue Reading
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09 May 2022
Massachusetts to Offer Free Virtual Access to COVID-19 Treatment
The Baker-Polito Administration in Massachusetts is working with Color Health to implement public virtual care resources for COVID-19 treatment. Continue Reading
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09 May 2022
PA Provider, Public Health Dept. to Boost Virtual Access to OUD Treatment
Penn Medicine and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced that they will work together to improve virtual care access for opioid use disorder treatment. Continue Reading
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06 May 2022
Blue Shield of CA Expands Access to Virtual Pregnancy, Postpartum Care
Through a new partnership, Blue Shield of California members will have access to Maven Clinic's virtual family care platform. Continue Reading
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06 May 2022
Understanding Key Telehealth Disparities & Patient-Facing Barriers
Though the telehealth spike in recent years has largely been beneficial for patients, there are several entrenched care gaps and access barriers widening health inequities that must be addressed. Continue Reading
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05 May 2022
Telehealth Vendors Share New Solutions, Progress at ATA2022 Conference
Telehealth vendors such as TytoCare and Connect America unveiled new products and shared data at the 2022 ATA conference and expo. Continue Reading
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05 May 2022
Boston Children's to Expand Virtual Access to Specialists Via New Collab
Boston Children's Hospital and Summus Global, are working together to expand access to specialist expertise virtually and bolster hospital's second opinion program. Continue Reading
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04 May 2022
Walmart Health Launches Virtual Diabetes Care Program
Walmart Health's telehealth provider MeMD has unveiled a virtual diabetes care program that will provide personalized education with behavioral health interventions and counseling. Continue Reading
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03 May 2022
NY Health System Strikes Partnership to Provide Remote Physical Exams
A partnership between Rochester Regional Health and TytoCare aims to enhance telehealth through the addition of remote physical examinations. Continue Reading
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02 May 2022
Emergency Room Follow-Ups Similar After Telehealth, In-Person Visits
In most cases, emergency department follow-up rates were similar among patients who received care through telehealth and those who sought care in person, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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02 May 2022
Various Strategies Can Guide the Future of Telehealth
Although telehealth has provided various benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, several efforts further enhance services. Continue Reading
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29 Apr 2022
Northwell Health Provides Telehealth Services, Assistance to Ukraine
Northwell Center for Global Health is working with the Ukrainian military to provide telehealth services to various health centers. Continue Reading
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29 Apr 2022
How Telehealth Helped Keep ACOs Afloat During the Pandemic
As in-person care fell and regulatory flexibilities for virtual care were enacted during the pandemic, ACOs began relying more heavily on telehealth to care for patients and meet their financial goals. Continue Reading
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28 Apr 2022
Telehealth More Likely to Prompt Follow-up for Acute Conditions
New research shows that telehealth appointments for acute conditions were more likely than in-person appointments to result in a follow-up visit. Continue Reading
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28 Apr 2022
Digital Health Interventions Reduced Heart Failure Mortality
New research shows that all-cause and cardiovascular mortality decreased following the implementation of digital health interventions. Continue Reading
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27 Apr 2022
Most US Clinics Offered Virtual Contraceptive Services During Pandemic
More than two-thirds of US clinics leveraged telehealth to ensure continued access to contraceptive services during the COVID-19 pandemic, up from 11 percent pre-2020, a new survey shows. Continue Reading
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26 Apr 2022
Disparities Common in Telehealth Use Among Pediatric CHIP Patients
Researchers found that publicly insured pediatric patients who used telehealth less frequently lived in rural areas with lower family incomes. Continue Reading
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25 Apr 2022
Virtual, In-Person Cardiac Rehabilitation Provide Similar Benefits
A recent study showed that patients saw positive health outcomes regardless of whether they participated in virtual/hybrid or in-person cardiac rehabilitation. Continue Reading
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25 Apr 2022
Teladoc, Northwell Partner to Enhance Virtual Care
A new collaboration between Teladoc Health and Northwell Health aims to enhance virtual care and improve patient communication. Continue Reading
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22 Apr 2022
Surgeon Charged in $10M Telemedicine Fraud Scheme
A New York-based orthopedic surgeon was charged in a telemedicine fraud scheme that allegedly bilked Medicare out of $10 million. Continue Reading
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20 Apr 2022
Loyola Medicine Adds American Sign Language Feature for Telehealth
The health system implemented the new feature with the aim of expanding telehealth access to deaf and hard-of-hearing patients. Continue Reading
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19 Apr 2022
Rural Providers to Use USDA Grants to Boost Telehealth Capabilities
USDA is providing $43 million in new funds to rural healthcare providers, many of whom have earmarked the funds to implement and support telehealth services. Continue Reading
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19 Apr 2022
Hispanic Patients Used Virtual Care Less After COVID-19 Diagnosis
Compared to non-Hispanic White Individuals, Hispanic and Latino populations used virtual primary care less often both before and after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Continue Reading
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18 Apr 2022
Genetics, Behavioral Health Pediatric Subspecialists Use Telehealth Most
A recent study showed that pediatric telehealth use among different subspecialties was inconsistent, indicating variation in patient needs. Continue Reading
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15 Apr 2022
Black, Hispanic Patients Less Likely to Use Telehealth, New Study Shows
A new study shows that telehealth use remains inconsistent among racial and socioeconomic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due to the digital divide. Continue Reading
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14 Apr 2022
Medical Group Settles False Claims Allegations Involving Telehealth
The Florida-based group will pay millions to settle allegations that it submitted fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary telehealth visits and testing to federal and state programs. Continue Reading
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14 Apr 2022
Telemedicine Expands Care Access for Spine Patients
A new study shows that spine patients were 26.6 percent less likely to miss an appointment when scheduled for a telemedicine visit. Continue Reading
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13 Apr 2022
Anxiety Disorder Patients Used Telehealth More During Pandemic
A greater proportion of people with anxiety and fear-based mental health disorders received care through telehealth rather than in-person in 2020, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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12 Apr 2022
Assistance With Connecting to Virtual Visits Can Help Close Care Gaps
An initiative that included medical assistants helping patients connect to video visits helped increase access for marginalized patients, a Kaiser Permanente study shows. Continue Reading
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12 Apr 2022
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Increase Access to Virtual Mental Health Services
Three US senators have introduced legislation to increase access to virtual mental health services for children and underserved populations. Continue Reading
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11 Apr 2022
Banner Health Unveils Telehealth Program for Obstetrics
Through the new program, physicians caring for birthing persons in rural areas will be able to connect virtually with obstetric specialists to improve care. Continue Reading
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11 Apr 2022
Stakeholders Call for Continued Access to Telehealth
Experts believe that continued access to telehealth should continue into the future, despite a slow utilization decline as the COVID-19 pandemic becomes more manageable. Continue Reading
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08 Apr 2022
Readmission Rates Similar After Virtual, In-Person Postop Cancer Care
Cancer patients experienced similar 90-and 30-day readmission rates regardless of whether they had an in-person postoperative visit or one via telehealth, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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07 Apr 2022
Telehealth Snapshot: Use Cases, Policies & Hybrid Care
At the Telehealth22 Virtual Summit, telehealth experts gathered to discuss virtual chronic disease management, the evolving hybrid care model, the regulatory landscape, and more. Continue Reading
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07 Apr 2022
Telehealth Usage Jumped 10% Nationally in January
Telehealth utilization increased 10.2 percent in January, making up 5.4 percent of all medical claim lines, according to new data. Continue Reading
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05 Apr 2022
Boston Researchers' 3-Pronged Approach to Combating 'Digital Redlining'
Researchers from Boston University and Boston Medical Center examined how telehealth widens the digital divide and developed strategies to eliminate digital health inequities. Continue Reading
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04 Apr 2022
MemorialCare Implements Remote Exam Tool for Telehealth Diagnoses
The health system aims to improve telehealth services by deploying TytoCare's technology that enables patients to perform provider-guided medical exams remotely and participate in a virtual visit. Continue Reading
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04 Apr 2022
GAO Urges Medicaid to Study the Effects of Telehealth Use
As telehealth use increases, the Government Accountability Office urged Medicaid to ensure that agencies provide beneficiaries with optimal care levels. Continue Reading
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01 Apr 2022
Video Telehealth Use Lower Among Older, Black Cancer Patients
Research conducted in Alabama shows that certain cancer patients are less likely to use video-enabled telehealth, particularly those who were older and Black. Continue Reading
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31 Mar 2022
Wisconsin Government Provides $5M in Grants to Bolster Telehealth Services
The state government is providing the funding to expand virtual care for child psychiatry and establish neighborhood-based telehealth access points, including at food pantries and libraries. Continue Reading
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30 Mar 2022
New Partnership Aims to Expand Virtual, In-Person Care Access in CA
Per the new partnership, providers using Hims & Hers' telehealth platform will be able to refer patients in California to Carbon Health for conditions outside Hims & Hers' treatment offerings. Continue Reading
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30 Mar 2022
Audio-Only Telehealth Supported Care Delivery at FQHCs During Pandemic
Telehealth helped safety-net facilities provide continuous care during the COVID-19 pandemic, with audio-only telehealth becoming the most used care modality for behavioral health, a new report shows. Continue Reading
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29 Mar 2022
UPMC Kane to Staff ED With Emergency Care Physicians Via Telehealth
UPMC Hamot's emergency care physicians will virtually partner with onsite advanced practice providers at UPMC Kane, helping alleviate the growing emergency care physician shortage in rural areas. Continue Reading
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29 Mar 2022
Remote Patient Monitoring Program Effective in Treating COVID-19
Through a home monitoring program, clinicians were successfully able to identify and treat COVID-19 patients, including those who were high-risk, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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28 Mar 2022
Project ECHO Program Cut Hospital Admissions Among Diabetics by 44%
The telementoring program operated by Rutgers medical school helped Medicaid patients with diabetes avoid hospitalizations, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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28 Mar 2022
Telehealth Supported Opioid Use Disorder Treatment at Safety-Net Clinic
The implementation of telehealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic helped an FQHC retain patients in its opioid use disorder treatment program, ensuring continued access to care, a study shows. Continue Reading
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25 Mar 2022
Vendor-Affiliated Telehealth Providers Prescribe Antibiotics More Often
Patients who received virtual care from vendor-supplied physicians had 2.3 higher odds of being prescribed antibiotics than those seen by health system-employed physicians, a study shows. Continue Reading
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24 Mar 2022
AMA: 69% of Physicians Use Audio-Only Telehealth
Audio-video synchronous platforms are still the most used telehealth modality, but a large proportion of physicians are also using phone-only modalities, a new AMA survey shows. Continue Reading
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24 Mar 2022
Pediatric Orthopedic Patients Largely Satisfied with Virtual Healthcare
About 77 percent of pediatric patients with musculoskeletal conditions reported overall satisfaction with virtual healthcare, a survey shows. Continue Reading
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23 Mar 2022
FCC Closes Out Connected Care Pilot With $30M in New Grants
Sixteen new projects have been selected to receive the funding in the last round of the program established in 2020 to support the advancement of connected care. Continue Reading
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23 Mar 2022
Telehealth Supported Care for Community Mental Health Centers
Although telehealth had a different effect on all community mental health center patients, virtual care supported care continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading
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22 Mar 2022
Medicare Patients Received 54.5M Office Visits Via Telehealth in 2020
Office visits represented 48 percent of all telehealth services used in the first year of the pandemic, making it the service most accessed via telehealth, federal data shows. Continue Reading
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22 Mar 2022
Telehealth Helped Maintain Type 1 Diabetes Care Among Kids During Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, continuous glucose monitors and telehealth assisted clinicians in providing uninterrupted type 1 diabetes care to pediatric patients. Continue Reading
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21 Mar 2022
How Providers Can Optimize Telehealth Workflows and Improve Experience
To ensure patient safety and clinician wellbeing, telehealth workflows and human factors considerations need to be fine-tuned as virtual care becomes a mainstay in healthcare delivery. Continue Reading
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21 Mar 2022
Telehealth Cut Missed Appointments Among Kids With TB by 11%
A new study shows that following the implementation of telehealth, the rate of missed follow-up appointments among children with tuberculosis dropped. Continue Reading
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18 Mar 2022
55% of Telehealth Providers Frustrated With Overblown Patient Expectations
Providers also cited their ability to provide quality care and technical difficulties as among their top frustrations with telehealth, a new survey shows. Continue Reading
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18 Mar 2022
Heart Failure Readmissions Similar After Telehealth, In-Person Follow-up
Though heart failure readmission rates were lower for those who participated in early follow-up visits, a study shows no significant difference between follow-ups conducted virtually and in-person. Continue Reading
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17 Mar 2022
FCC to Authorize $640M for Broadband Expansion
The new funds will help broadband carriers expand access to reliable internet in 26 states, thereby bolstering telehealth use. Continue Reading
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16 Mar 2022
Microsoft Teams Adds New Virtual Care Features
The features, which include enabling organizations to collect patient triage information, and access analytics, aim to enhance the virtual visit experience within Teams. Continue Reading
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16 Mar 2022
Over a Third of Patients Continue to Use Telehealth for Mental Healthcare
Although virtual outpatient care has declined since 2020, 36 percent of patients with mental health and substance use disorders still use telehealth in 2022, new data shows. Continue Reading
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15 Mar 2022
51% of Clinicians Worry That Telehealth Hinders Ability to Show Empathy
The importance of soft skills, like empathy, is rising alongside a need for enhanced technical skills, and as a result, medical training will need an overhaul, a new report shows. Continue Reading
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14 Mar 2022
PCORI Grants $71.5M to 12 Research Studies
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute is funding clinical effectiveness research studies on treatments for conditions like mental health and autism, including those provided virtually. Continue Reading
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11 Mar 2022
Telehealth Bolstered Finances of California Medicaid Providers
Telehealth use skyrocketed among Medicaid patients in California, and a majority of providers caring for this population said it helped stabilize their finances, a new report shows. Continue Reading
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11 Mar 2022
New Bill Aims to Extend Acute Hospital Care at Home Waiver
A bill introduced in the Senate aims to extend CMS‘ Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver for two years after the COVID-19 public health emergency reaches an end. Continue Reading
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09 Mar 2022
Patient Comfort With Virtual Mental Healthcare is High
Healthcare consumers are becoming increasingly comfortable with receiving mental health services virtually, and plan sponsors — both payers and human resources directors — are paying attention. Continue Reading
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09 Mar 2022
National Telehealth Use Skyrocketed Amid Omicron Surge
In December, national telehealth use rose by 11.4 percent, increasing its prevalence in all medical claim lines by 0.5 percent, new data shows. Continue Reading
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08 Mar 2022
Aetna Expands Access to Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment
The payer is offering the virtual treatment program in-network to its commercial members in California, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Continue Reading
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08 Mar 2022
72 Orgs Request Continued Virtual Access to Controlled Substances
In anticipation of pandemic policies expiring, 72 organizations are asking the federal government to ensure continued access to controlled substances via telehealth. Continue Reading
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04 Mar 2022
38% of Patients Have Received Virtual Care in 2022
Researchers also found that 76 percent of patients who have had a telehealth visit would prefer to continue using it in the future, a new report shows. Continue Reading
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04 Mar 2022
Chatham University Offers Telehealth Certification
Chatham University, a HIMSS educational partner, established the online course with the aim of enhancing telehealth training as virtual care use remains high. Continue Reading
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03 Mar 2022
MS Patients Report Satisfaction With Telehealth During Pandemic
A majority of patients with multiple sclerosis were satisfied with the telehealth services they received during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study revealed. Continue Reading
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02 Mar 2022
Bilingual Staff Improve Telehealth Experience in Safety-Net Settings
Along with staff members who speak the patient's preferred language, the availability of audio-only visits helped boost access to telehealth and the patient experience, according to a new study. Continue Reading
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01 Mar 2022
NY Health System to Expand Virtual Access to Behavioral Healthcare
A new collaboration between aptihealth and St. Peter’s Health Partners will extend access to virtual behavioral healthcare for 11,000-plus employees and more than 1 million patients. Continue Reading
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28 Feb 2022
Teladoc, Amazon Partner to Enhance Direct-to-Consumer Telehealth
The new partnership aims to increase care access and convenience by enabling people with Alexa-supported devices to connect with Teladoc providers without downloading any additional apps. Continue Reading
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25 Feb 2022
Telehealth Played Role in Medication Abortion Spike
Medication abortions accounted for more than half of all abortions in 2020, a jump bolstered by the increase in telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report shows. Continue Reading
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25 Feb 2022
AMA: Behavioral Health Integration Can Be Optimized Through Digital Tools
A new report from the AMA urges healthcare stakeholders to enhance behavioral healthcare integration into care delivery through digital tools. Continue Reading
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24 Feb 2022
Highly Privileged Cancer Patients Get Access to Telehealth Sooner
Most cancer patients with high socioeconomic status had a telehealth visit within a month of diagnosis as compared with their low-status counterparts, a study shows. Continue Reading
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24 Feb 2022
Telehealth Use Most Popular Among Young Women
About 60 percent of telehealth users are female, and they are mostly using virtual care for behavioral health services, a new report shows. Continue Reading
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21 Feb 2022
Telehealth Adoption Highest Among Diabetes, GI Care Providers
Rheumatologists, urologists, and nephrologists also made the list of top five adopters of telehealth among specialists, according to a new survey. Continue Reading
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18 Feb 2022
Telehealth Attendance Higher Than In-Person Among HIV Patients
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth attendance rates among HIV patients were 17 percent higher than in-person visit attendance rates. Continue Reading
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17 Feb 2022
79% of Patients Want Call, Text to Signal Start of Telehealth Visit
Most patients, including those with chronic illnesses, wanted to be notified via call or text that their virtual visit was about to begin rather than stand by in a virtual waiting room, per a new poll. Continue Reading
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17 Feb 2022
Cigna Members Gain Access to Virtual Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment
Cigna's Evernorth is partnering with Monument to offer employer and marketplace exchange plan members access to virtual alcohol use disorder treatment. Continue Reading
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16 Feb 2022
Using Data Analytics to Enhance Telehealth Services
Children's National is leveraging a data analytics platform and dashboard to guide its efforts to ensure equitable virtual care for its pediatric patient population. Continue Reading
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16 Feb 2022
HHS Pours $55M Into Boosting Virtual Care Access
HHS is awarding $55 million to 29 different Health Resources and Services Administration-funded health centers to increase access to and quality of virtual care. Continue Reading
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14 Feb 2022
Telehealth Use Dropped to 8% in 2021
New data reveal a 13 percent rise in telehealth use during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but usage has since dropped as surges slowed. Continue Reading
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11 Feb 2022
Banner | Aetna Takes Aim at Type 2 Diabetes With Virtual Care Partnership
Banner | Aetna will provide members access to Virta Health’s diabetes care management solution, which leverages remote monitoring and personalized nutrition plans. Continue Reading
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11 Feb 2022
Even Before COVID-19, Telehealth Supported Timely Access to Primary Care
A new Emory Healthcare study reveals telehealth helped cut the time between scheduling and appointments in half for primary care visits before the pandemic. Continue Reading
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09 Feb 2022
Remote Monitoring, Telehealth Use Linked to Tighter Blood Pressure Control
An enhanced telehealth program, which included remote patient monitoring, helped under-resourced groups gain better control over their blood pressure, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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09 Feb 2022
Patients with PTSD, Bipolar Disorder Engaged With Telemental Care
FQHC patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder responded well to two telepsychiatry approaches, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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08 Feb 2022
Amazon to Expand Healthcare Services to New Cities, Customers
The tech giant has added three new businesses to the lineup of companies offering Amazon Care to their employees and plans to expand in-person care services to 20 new cities in 2022. Continue Reading
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08 Feb 2022
COVID-19 Returns to Top 5 Telehealth Diagnoses
After dropping off the list for two consecutive months, Fair Health reported that multiple US regions detected COVID-19 in their top five telehealth diagnoses last November. Continue Reading
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07 Feb 2022
77% of Infectious Disease Patients Open to Telehealth
More than three quarters of infectious disease patients said they would try telehealth after being told the time and money they spend on in-person care, a Washington University study revealed. Continue Reading
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04 Feb 2022
HHS: Video Visit Use Less Likely Among Non-White, Older Americans
A new federal report shows that those who had higher overall rates of telehealth use, like older and non-White individuals, tended to use audio-only telehealth more than their counterparts. Continue Reading
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03 Feb 2022
Mayo Clinic Hybrid Care Model Appears to Boost Patient Satisfaction
Mayo Clinic reported satisfaction rates exceeding 90 percent for its hybrid care model, supporting new perspectives on methods of recovery Continue Reading
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01 Feb 2022
Telehealth Maintained Care Quality for Type 2 Diabetics During Pandemic
Patients who used telehealth during the pandemic for type 2 diabetes care were just as likely to achieve quality measures as patients who received in-person care before the pandemic, a study found. Continue Reading