Telemedicine News & Updates 5-22-2017

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ATA 2017: Five Hot Trends in Telehealth
With 83% of healthcare executive leaders planning to invest in telehealth this year, it’s no surprise that this year’s American Telemedicine Association annual conference was alive with excitement, innovative technologies and hot startups. One of the biggest takeaways was the simple fact that patients love telemedicine – and providers are taking notice. Telemedicine is changing the game in how healthcare is delivered. Patients can get the services they need when they want them, where they want and how they want them. Be sure to read Workspace Today’s article about the hot topics seen and heard around this year’s conference.

swyMed Partners with Bassett Healthcare Network to Provide Highly Reliable Video Telemedicine Technology for its School-Based Health Centers
swyMed (@swyMed), a provider of quality video telemedicine solutions, and Bassett Healthcare Network (@BassettNetwork) recently announced that they have joined forces to allow for highly reliable video telemedicine encounters within Bassett Healthcare’s 15 School-Based Health Centers (SBHC). Bassett Healthcare’s SBHCs are medical offices located within school buildings, in partnership between school districts and their six network hospitals and 46 regional health centers. Under the terms of the agreement, swyMed is providing Bassett Healthcare’s SBHCs with the advanced networking infrastructure capabilities to allow for real-time video telemedicine encounters between area students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 and medical staff.

U.S. HealthWorks Unveils Telemedicine Offering
For more than 20 years, U.S. HealthWorks (@ushealthworks) has provided high-quality medical care to treat employees with on-the-job injuries and help them to return to work as soon as possible. Now the company, which treats more than 14,000 patients per day, is dramatically expanding its healthcare reach. U.S. HealthWorks recently announced a comprehensive telemedicine program called USHW CareConnectNOW, which will link those in need of care to state-licensed medical providers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Salus Telehealth’s VideoMedicine Mobile Platform Introduces Quick Care for Convenient, On-Demand Primary Care
Salus Telehealth, Inc. (@SalusTelehealth), an advisor within the telehealth industry, announced the company’s VideoMedicine mobile platform has launched Quick Care, a new service offering on-demand consultations with U.S. board-certified primary care providers. Available 24 hours a day, Quick Care provides patients with the option to request and begin a consultation with a provider within a short 30-minute timeframe. The service was developed for VideoMedicine users who want immediate access to a healthcare provider for a minor illness or injury and serves as a quick, hassle-free alternative to an in-person visit to an urgent care facility.

USDA accepting applications for rural telemedicine grants
The American Hospital Association (@ahahospitalsrecently reported that the Department of Agriculture announced that hospitals and others can apply now through July 17 for grants of up to $500,000 each for equipment and technical assistance to provide telemedicine services in rural areas.

Telemedicine Pioneer Dr. Nina Antoniotti Appointed to SnapMD Clinical Advisory Board
SnapMD (@snapmdinc),  a full-service telehealth technology innovator and solutions provider, announced that Nina Antoniotti, Ph.D., one of the healthcare industry’s most esteemed professionals in the field of telemedicine and virtual clinical care, has been appointed to the company’s Clinical Advisory Board. Dr. Antoniotti brings to the position a rich history helping dozens of care programs across the nation implement technology services, Health Information Technology and operational procedures necessary to initiate and become sustainable in telemedicine applications.

One-Third Of Healthcare Providers Use Remote Monitoring, ‘Virtual Care’ As Telemedicine Evolves: KPMG Survey
About a third of healthcare providers are using remote patient monitoring and video-based “Virtual Care” services to improve patient engagement and access to care and more of these programs are likely to come, according to a survey commissioned by KPMG LLP (@kpmg_us), the U.S. tax, audit and advisory firm.

In State News:
Telemedicine Bill One Step Closer To Governor’s Desk
It looks like the tide is turning when it comes to regulation of telemedicine in Texas. A bill passed by the Senate and the House is one step closer to the Governor’s desk. The legislation would make it easier for physicians to practice their trade remotely using technology.

Washington State physicians praise lawmakers for expanding patient access to care through telemedicine
The Washington State Medical Association, which represents over 10,000 physicians and physician assistants, commends Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington State Legislature for enacting legislation that will improve access to basic health care services through telemedicine, especially for patients in rural and underserved communities in our state.

Sen. Roger Wicker Says ‘Mississippi Leads Nation in Maximizing Technology to Improve Patients’ Health’
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., appeared before the Senate Finance Committee to discuss the promise of telehealth and to encourage the Committee to continue its progress on the “CHRONIC Care Act.” The legislation includes many of the proposals inspired by Wicker’s “CONNECT for Health Act,” which would which would remove barriers to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries

California Telehealth Network (CTN) Joins the OCHIN Family of Companies
OCHIN (@ochininc), a national nonprofit health IT, research, and innovation organization, and the California Telehealth Network (CTN), a nonprofit provider of telecommunications infrastructure and telehealth services in California, announced that their respective Boards of Directors have approved for CTN to become part of the OCHIN family of companies. OCHIN and CTN have aligned missions, values, and solution offerings, and bringing CTN into the OCHIN family makes additional resources and skills available across California.

Upcoming Events:

SPS 2017 Telehealth Conference
What: 3rd National Telemedicine & Telehealth Service Provider Showcase
When: October 2-3, 2017
Where: Phoenix, AZ

CMS Covered Telehealth Services
You can download the list of services payable under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule when furnished via telehealth on the CMS website.