We are combining our Telemedicine and Virtual Care reports into Telemedicine 2020. We are seeking out the latest developments around Telemedicine. How is telemedicine used to benefit patients and care givers? What are the newest innovations in telemedicine technology? How telehealth and virtual care fit into the realm of Telemedicine.
Industry News:
Rhinogram Announces Endorsement by the American Aligner Society
Rhinogram (@rhinogram), a cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant virtual care platform, announced it has been endorsed by the American Aligner Society (AAS), representing over 200,000 dentists and connecting jobs, doctors and specialists across the U.S. Through this partnership, AAS members will have the ability to implement Rhinogram’s virtual care platform to provide complete contactless care for patients, as well as communicate in real-time via simple texts (SMS), multimedia texts (MMS) and live video – giving member practices the ability to better engage with patients while streamlining workflows.
ModRN Health Supports Federal Government’s Development of a Rapid Response Telehealth Capability for COVID-19
ModRN Health (@ModRNHealth) is one of the teams supporting the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command’s (USAMRDC) Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) for the rapid development, deployment, and testing of the National Emergency Tele-Critical Care Network (NETCCN).
American Telemedicine Association and Telehealth Industry Groups Urge Congress to Include Telehealth in Year-end Package, Extending Flexibilities Through 2021
The American Telemedicine Association (@AmericanTelemed) was joined by healthcare industry organizations in applauding Congress for its recent steps to increase access to telehealth during the public health emergency, and expressed support for provisions, proposed by a bipartisan group of Senators, that would extend temporary telehealth flexibilities through the end of 2021 as part of an end-of-year package to fund the federal government. This action will help provide certainty for patients and providers, while work continues to secure permanent reform in 2021.
Trump Administration Finalizes Permanent Expansion of Medicare Telehealth Services and Improved Payment for Time Doctors Spend with Patients
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (@CMSGov) released the annual Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, prioritizing CMS’ investment in primary care and chronic disease management by increasing payments to physicians and other practitioners for the additional time they spend with patients, especially those with chronic conditions. This final rule takes steps to further implement President Trump’s Executive Order on Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation’s Seniors including prioritizing the expansion of proven alternatives like telehealth.
VirTrial Acquires SnapMD and Bolsters Virtual Care Management Platform
VirTrial, LLC, a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, LLC announced the acquisition of SnapMD Healthcare, LLC (@snapmdinc), a provider of telemedicine tools and services that improve patient engagement. The acquisition bolsters VirTrial’s capabilities with access to SnapMD’s telemedicine platform and technical expertise.
Multi-location FQHC Uses Updox Telehealth to Sustain Care During COVID and Expand Services Post-Pandemic
Rocking Horse Community Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operating in four Ohio locations, is using telehealth solutions from Updox (@updox), the only place to manage healthcare communications across both in-person and virtual care, to supplement community health services and serve their 14,000 patients.
Product News:
Conversion Labs Launches Veritas MD™ Telehealth Platform, Delivering Greater Access to Growing Portfolio of Industry-Leading, Direct-to-Consumer Pharmacy and Wellness Brands
Conversion Labs, Inc., a direct-to-consumer telemedicine and wellness company, has officially launched its new Veritas MD telehealth platform, opening the door to greater market expansion with a growing portfolio of industry leading, direct-to-consumer pharmacy and wellness brands.
To Read:
6 Ways Telemedicine Can Help with Flu Season by Joel E. Barthelemy (@globalmed_usa) – Healthcare leaders hope that social distancing, remote learning, and working from home will reduce flu contagion. But with many hospitals already at capacity with COVID-19 patients, we still face a deadly crisis when it comes to flu patients requiring care. That’s why many providers are turning to a modern clinical solution that’s an effective weapon against the flu: telemedicine.
How Telemedicine is Transforming Healthcare from Forbes – How edge computing and AI put transformative capabilities in the hands of healthcare workers during the onset of Covid-19 and will continue to expand telemedicine’s use long after the pandemic ends.
Making the Cut:
MobileSmith Health Adds Proven Sales Veteran to Executive Team
MobileSmith Health (@TheMobileSmith), a leader in the digital health and mobile development sector that is reshaping traditional healthcare, announced the appointment of David Wardlaw as chief revenue officer. Wardlaw is a proven executive sales leader with more than 35 years experience in driving accelerated growth through advanced sales and business development strategies.
SOC Telemed Expands Executive Leadership Team
SOC Telemed, Inc. (@SOCTelemed), a provider of acute care telemedicine, announced changes to its executive team which will become effective as of January 4, 2021. Hai Tran, who currently serves as the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, has been promoted to serve as President and COO. Chris Knibb will join SOC Telemed as its CFO.
MDLIVE Taps Security Industry Veteran Anthony Belthrop as Chief Information Security Officer
MDLIVE Inc. (@MDLIVEInc) announced the appointment of Anthony (Tony) Belthrop as the company’s Chief Information Security Officer, who has assumed a seat on the company’s executive leadership team. Belthrop oversees enterprise-wide security programs and applications, while ensuring the effectiveness of the company’s network solutions for threat detection and prevention.
Listen:
HealthcareNOW Radio Telehealth Playlist
The Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines telehealth as “the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.” To learn more and find out about the latest in telehealth tune in to the episodes on this playlist. Additionally, be sure to read HCNR’s Friday Five which recaps the site’s month long concentration on telehealth.
Events and Resources:
Preparing Your Network for a Scalable Telehealth Program (@caregility)
What: Preparing Your Network for a Scalable Telehealth Program Webinar
When: December 16, 2020 at 2:00 pm ET
Register for this event.
This session will cover the unique complexity of having a real-time video ready network and how hospitals can better prepare their own networks for the rapidly growing and innovative technology.
Telehealth Unlocked Interactive Symposium (@telehealthunloc)
What: Telehealth Unlocked Interactive Symposium
When: February 4 – 25, 2021
Where: Interactive Symposium
Register for this event. Save $200 with Early Bird Rates Before 12/31/20.
The healthcare industry’s embrace of telehealth in response to COVID-19 offers an opportunity to reshape care delivery. Telehealth Unlocked will help healthcare systems to build on this momentum and position themselves for future success. Hear from executives, clinicians, and technology leaders focused on improving the clinical process for patients and developing a long-term strategy for expanding the use of telehealth across the continuum of care
Telehealth Unlocked addresses providing equitable access to care, partnering with executive leadership to foster program growth, telehealth response to #COVIDー19, and preparing to address regulatory & legal uncertainties.
Learn more 👉 https://t.co/17F83nEzL2 pic.twitter.com/r0NdhKsBmw
— Telehealthunlocked (@telehealthunloc) December 1, 2020
Telehealth.HHS.gov
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, we don’t have to choose between medical care and social distancing. When patients can get health care through telehealth — and doctors can provide it — we protect ourselves and our communities. The Telehealth.HHS.gov website provides information about the latest federal efforts to support and promote telehealth services.
The American Telemedicine Association Events
ATA is a non-profit association based in Washington DC with a membership network of more than 10,000 industry leaders and healthcare professionals. We are a leading telehealth association helping to transform healthcare by improving the quality, equity and affordability of healthcare throughout the world. Find their next event.
Defining the Industry According to the AAFP:
Telemedicine is the practice of medicine using technology to deliver care at a distance. It occurs using a telecommunications infrastructure between a patient (at an originating or spoke site) and a physician or other practitioner licensed to practice medicine (at a distant or hub site).
Virtual Care is a patient service model for healthcare providers.
Telehealth refers to a broad collection of electronic and telecommunications technologies that support health care delivery and services from distant locations. Telehealth technologies support virtual medical, health, and education services.
Hashtags to follow for updates on Telemedicine: