How is virtual healthcare used to benefit patients and care givers? What are the newest innovations in virtual care technology? How do telehealth and telemedicine fit into the realm of virtual healthcare? We have our finger on the pulse and are striving to report the latest developments around virtual healthcare.
Industry News
QuickStop Health Advances Virtual Care With AkuteHealth and Hint Health
QuickStop Health, a California-based telehealth provider focused on accessible and transparent virtual care, is advancing its virtual care delivery through trusted technology partnerships with AkuteHealth and Hint Health. These proven platforms support a more seamless, reliable, and secure experience for patients seeking online medical care across California.
VSee and DocBox Announce Strategic Partnership to Launch the First Augmented Intelligence Platform for Virtual ICU
VSee Health, Inc., a provider of enterprise telehealth and AI-powered virtual care, announced a strategic partnership with DocBox, the first Augmented Intelligence platform for critical care, to create a next-generation Virtual ICU operating system for hospitals worldwide.
A 24/7 virtual care service means freedom from on-call hours
A new initiative frees Penn primary care doctors from most on-call duties after work hours, while patients still have 24-hour access to virtual care. Now, when a patient calls after hours, instead of reaching their doctor during their personal time, they are automatically rerouted to Penn Medicine OnDemand, a 24/7/365 virtual care service, where a provider is ready and available to meet with them. It’s their job to be available even when traditional primary care offices are closed.
Premise Health and Crossover Health sign an agreement to create one unified company
Premise Health and Crossover Health announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge. The unified organization will deliver onsite, nearsite and virtual care to more than 400 organizations and millions of members, operating nearly 900 wellness centers across the United States.
Meijer Expands Healthcare Offerings with New Virtual Service
Meijer announced a new partnership with a leading virtual-first healthcare platform, WellSync, to provide customers with easy, affordable access to virtual healthcare services for common conditions.
Humana and Carda Health Partner to Expand Access to Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation
Humana announced a program with Carda Health, a leader in at-home virtual pulmonary and cardiac care, to expand access to virtual cardiac rehabilitation. This strategic collaboration aims to remove barriers to care, offering a convenient and effective solution for patients recovering from adverse heart conditions.
Product News
Teladoc Health Launches Enhanced 24/7 Care Service
Teladoc Health, the global leader in virtual care, announced the launch of new enhancements to its 24/7 Care service. The new capabilities build on the company’s flagship virtual urgent care service which provides access to licensed care providers who assess and treat non-emergency medical needs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Maven Clinic Launches Clinical Research Institute to Set the Evidence Standard for Digital Health for Women and Families
Maven Clinic, a virtual clinic dedicated to women’s and family health, announced the launch of the Maven Clinical Research Institute, a catalyst for research and insights on the impact of digital health on women and families. With the largest public evidence base measuring the impact of virtual care across women’s and family health, the Institute builds on the company’s decade-long commitment to advancing science at scale and translating evidence into practical insights that guide care, inform benefits decisions, and deepen public understanding of what effective, evidence-based virtual care truly looks like.
Included Health Expands Integrated Model with New Alternative Plan Design Focused on Quality and Affordability
Included Health, a new kind of healthcare company delivering personalized all-in-one healthcare to millions of people nationwide, introduced a modern health plan design intended to guide members to high-quality, cost effective care with AI-powered engagement, transparent pricing, and support from expert clinicians and care teams. Working with employers and other purchasers of health insurance, the new design puts high-quality primary care back at the center of the healthcare experience, beginning with a comprehensive well-being consult and coordinated plan to support members’ evolving and complex health needs across virtual and in-person settings.
Policy News
ATA Publishes Updates Policy Principles on Artificial Intelligence, Supporting the Promise of AI as a Powerful Tool in Healthcare
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) published new Policy Principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI), putting forward a clear, balanced framework for the safe, ethical, and scalable deployment of AI in healthcare. The ATA is the leading industry organization advancing innovation and transformation in virtual care, digital health, hybrid care, artificial intelligence in health, and next generation connected care.
ATA ACTION COMMENTS ON FY26 MINIBUS FUNDING PACKAGE, INCLUDING TWO-YEAR TELEHEALTH EXTENSION AND OTHER CRITICAL PROVISIONS
ATA Action, the affiliated policy and legislative advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, comments on a new bipartisan three-bill FY26 funding package released this morning by the House Appropriations Committee, that includes several critical telehealth provisions, and also covers Labor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, Defense, and Transportation legislation.
Critical Telehealth Provisions in Danger of Falling Victim to Unrelated Partisan Debate, Despite Strong Bipartisan Suport in Congress
ATA Action is again urging Congress to act quickly to avert a telehealth shutdown on January 30, 2026, when the Medicare telehealth waivers and Acute Hospital Care at Home Program are set to expire.
To Read
Telemedicine: how far has it come, and where is it going next? by ITIJ – Experts explore how telehealth has evolved, its impact on clinical care, cross-border services, and AI integration, and how insurers, hospitals, and providers can harness its full potential in 2026 and beyond.
Telehealth boosts preventive care in rural areas by TechTarget- Telehealth utilization in rural areas was associated with a higher likelihood of utilizing preventive care, recent research revealed.
AI in Telemedicine: Why Your Doctor’s Screen Time Just Got a Whole Lot Smarter by Vocal Media – Discover how AI in telemedicine is transforming healthcare in 2026. From 24/7 virtual care to faster diagnoses, learn why this tech combo is changing everything.
To Listen
Our 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.
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:
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.
Upcoming Events
Remote Patient Monitoring Leadership Summit
What: Remote Patient Monitoring Leadership Summit
When: February 26-27, 2026
Where: Charlotte, NC
Register Now
Register now for the Remote Patient Monitoring Leadership Summit, Join healthcare leaders, digital health innovators, and care delivery pioneers at the must-attend summit shaping the future of RPM.
NEXUS 2026 (@AmericanTelemed)
What: NEXUS 2026: Digital-Native Care Activation
When: May 12-16, 202
Where: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel, Orlando, FL
Save the date.
Nexus 2026: Digital-Native Care Activation – Flip the Switch: Igniting Scaled Digital Health – Digital health is ready to flip the switch. After years of pilots and proof-of-concepts, the infrastructure is built, teams are seasoned, and the research proves digital care works. The question now isn’t whether to scale, but how to drive smart growth in the face of reimbursement uncertainties, economic pressures, and shifting policy landscapes. NEXUS 2026 is where we figure it out together. Taking place in Orlando, May 12–16, NEXUS breaks the mold, moving beyond traditional sessions to formats designed for collaborative problem-solving. Enjoy deep dives into implementation, roundtables on business models, hands-on workshops to build solutions, and lightning talks to spark new thinking.
Be sure to check out the complete list of upcoming events from the American Telemedicine Association.