This Just In! The 2/28 Edition of CTeL "inTeL" is Now Here!
Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law (CTeL)
Trusted leader in digital health law, policy, and regulatory strategy.
Updated CMS Telehealth Toolkit Offers Tips to States for Improving Access?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an updated telehealth toolkit to promote greater utilization among older adults and senior care providers. The toolkit consolidates information and guides states on improving telehealth access for individuals covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.?
The comprehensive report includes a section focusing on telehealth for older adults, highlighting benefits such as fewer trips for the mobility-impaired and reduced exposure to illnesses like COVID. Recommendations include allocating additional time for telehealth appointments for older adults, utilizing remote monitoring tools for diagnostic data, and allowing audio-only options in areas with poor internet connectivity.
The US Senate has seen bipartisan efforts with the introduction of two bills related to older adults and telehealth: the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, aiming to make pandemic-era telehealth coverage rules permanent, and the Telemental Health Care Access Act, which seeks to eliminate the requirement of in-person visits for Medicare-covered virtual mental healthcare services.
While some clinicians previously considered telehealth inadequate for addressing seniors' complex healthcare needs, a recent study showed growing enthusiasm among clinicians for using telehealth to manage chronic conditions in older adults, such as hypertension and arthritis. To access the full CMS Toolkit, click here.?
As Clinician Burnout Rises, How Can Technology Help?
A new survey conducted by Athenahealth in collaboration with The Harris Poll was released just this week. The survey, involving over 1,000 physicians, indicates that 93% of physicians feel burned out regularly, 49% find their workload unsustainable, and only 38% believe their practice is financially stable. Many physicians have contemplated leaving the medical field or discontinuing patient care.
Administrative burdens, constant regulatory changes, and complex payer requirements contribute significantly to physician burnout, with 64% feeling overwhelmed by administrative requirements. Healthcare technology, particularly practice management technology like billing systems and electronic health records is seeing promise in alleviating several of these challenges. The right technology can simplify medical practices, remove administrative work, and enhance the overall experience for patients, clinicians, and staff.
Despite some physicians crediting Electronic Health Records (EHR) with improving care quality and efficiency, many also feel overloaded with information, leading to increased stress. There is an opportunity for technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to filter and present only relevant information. AI, through automation and streamlining workflows, has the potential to alleviate administrative burdens and create a simpler future for healthcare.
Physicians continuously express concerns about the loss of human touch with the increasing use of AI in healthcare. Good practice suggests that AI primarily handles administrative tasks, allowing physicians more face-to-face time with patients. As AI models evolve, they could expedite processes such as coding and payment processing.?
While attitudes toward AI in healthcare vary among physicians, the healthcare community remains optimistic. It's important to carefully integrate AI and prioritize patient safety over the speed of adoption.?Read More.
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ViVE 2024: GE HealthCare Taps Biofourmis to Expand its Reach into Virtual Care at-Home Solutions
GE HealthCare is tapping virtual care company Biofourmis to extend the reach of patient monitoring tech from hospitals into patients’ homes. The GE HealthCare-Biofourmis collaboration aims to enable more patients to go home earlier and offer an alternative to facility-based care. Read More.
An Untapped Opportunity for Today’s Telehealth Developers: Clinical Content?
More healthcare providers understand how telehealth can benefit their organization in sustainable ways, software developers can continue to support this progress with a focus on patients, interoperability, and access to care. Read More.
Virginia Lawmakers Look for Ways to Address Rising Mental Health Challenges
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the General Assembly have proposed different funding solutions to address increased mental health issues in schools, including increased access to telemental health services. Read More.
Upcoming Member Webinars:
URAC: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 12:00 p.m. Eastern
Join this FREE interactive webinar to learn from leaders in the field and hear success stories from our experts, including a speaker who was recently featured at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Blue Cirrus Consulting: Feb 28, 2024 02:00 PM in Eastern
Join Senior Telehealth Consultants Christie Musser and Amanda Buonocore as they discuss how to approach Skilled Nursing Facilities, Long-term Care, or Assisted Living billing when providing telehealth services.