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
Superior HealthPlan Promoting Virtual Care During Mental Health Awareness Month
Superior HealthPlan (@ambettertx) helped more than 110,000 members in Texas secure behavioral health services – virtually – in 2022. As Texans take time to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Superior is committed to sharing behavioral health resources and programs that may be available for low-income individuals no matter where they are in the state.
Florence Acquires Zipnosis to Solve Clinical Capacity Constraints and Create Omnichannel Transformation Across Telehealth and Hybrid Care
Florence, an innovator in healthcare enablement software, announced its acquisition of Zipnosis (@zipnosis), an asynchronous-first virtual care solution that creates efficiency for clinicians while making quality care more accessible and affordable for patients.
Amwell Announces Hire of Kathy Weiler as EVP, Chief Commercial and Growth Officer
Amwell® (@amwell), a company in digital healthcare enablement, announced the appointment of Kathy Weiler as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial and Growth Officer, effective June 1, 2023. As a member of Amwell’s executive leadership team, Weiler will lead the company’s growth strategy, driving strategic initiatives and leading the business development, sales and account management, commercial enablement, marketing, and strategic and channel partnerships teams. Weiler will partner with Amwell clients to help them achieve greater clinical, operational and financial outcomes by leveraging the Amwell Converge™ platform to deliver digitally enabled hybrid care solutions at scale.
New Report Finds Providers are the Key to Virtual Care Adoption
A new report released by TytoCare (@TytoCare), a virtual care company enabling accessible, high-quality primary care from home, revealed insights into how health plans and organizations can drive virtual care engagement. While key elements that patients value in virtual care offerings include cost and time savings, and the ability to reduce Emergency Department (ED) or urgent care visits, people want to see doctors they trust or and are more likely to adopt virtual care when recommended by their primary care physicians (PCPs). More than 1,000 Medicaid and commercial health plan members were surveyed for the report.
Reliq Health Technologies, Inc. Announces New Contract with a Large US Health Plan
Reliq Health Technologies Inc. (@ReliqHealth), a global healthcare technology company that develops innovative Virtual Care solutions for the multi-billion dollar Healthcare market, is pleased to announce that it has signed a new contract with a large US Health Plan.
Remote Patient Monitoring
ComForCare Establishes Exclusive Partnership with Connected Home Living to Launch Connected Care, Providing 24/7 Monitoring
ComForCare (@ComForcare), a franchised provider of in-home caregiving services, forges an exclusive partnership with Connected Home Living, a company in remote patient care, to introduce Connected Care for clients.
Southcoast Health implements a monitoring device called the Leaf Patient Monitoring System.
Southcoast Health’s Charlton Memorial Hospital (@SouthcoastHlth), St. Luke’s Hospital, and Tobey Hospital are among the first in Massachusetts to implement a unique monitoring device called the Leaf Patient Monitoring System, designed to assist with patient turning protocols and reduce the incidence of pressure injuries, commonly called bed sores, that can occur during long hospital stays.
Policy News
CCHP’s Spring 2023 #Telehealth Policy Summary Report
ICYMI: CCHP’s Spring 2023 #Telehealth Policy Summary Report is here!! Find out what the #TelehealthPolicy landscape looks like in YOUR state! https://t.co/0zxt3LhOGD
Always find the most current policies by state/topic via @CCHPCA‘s Policy Finder Tool: https://t.co/JDUD07zjd1 pic.twitter.com/ZF0DrugRLE
— CCHP (@CCHPCA) May 17, 2023
To Read
7 Ways to Access Virtual Mental Health Care and Support – If you need mental health support* but can’t make it to a therapist or counselor’s office in person, you don’t have to worry. The good news is: You actually have more access to virtual mental health support than you think.
4 Reasons Your Employees Need Virtual Primary Care by Forbes – With the rise of telemedicine and an increased focus on virtual primary care, you can help connect your employees to the primary care they need and deserve. Here are four reasons employers should offer a virtual primary care solution.
VA apps provide personalized health care experience by VA News – Veterans who are also VA employees play an important role in spreading the word about VA virtual care technologies. Victoria Backus, a Talent Management System manager at Northport VA in New York, uses her unique perspective to promote VA apps to her fellow Veterans.
5 Crucial Steps to Implement Your Telemedicine Program by AMD Telemedicine – Implementing a telemedicine strategy now can have massive benefits for your healthcare organization down the line. Here are the top five considerations as you establish your telemedicine system.
Why Cloud Recording of Telehealth Sessions is Vital to Patient Care and Provider Efficiency Let’s Talk Interactive (@LetsTalkInter) – While telehealth presents many advantages, one aspect that often goes overlooked is the recording of telehealth sessions. Here are just a few reasons the ability to record telehealth sessions is a significant benefit to patients and providers.
How Telemedicine Supports Behavioral Healthcare by GlobalMed (@globalmed_usa) – Telehealth has become a vital resource to support behavioral health challenges. Current data estimates that 27.8 million adults in the U.S. struggle with a mental illness.
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
ATA2024 Annual Conference & Expo (@AmericanTelemed)
What: ATA2024 Annual Conference & Expo
When: May 5-7, 2024
Where: Phoenix, AZ
Save the date.
ATA2024 Annual Conference & Expo – Amplify your message, build brand awareness, and connect with industry decision-makers – all gathered for the telehealth event of the year! Create a customized sponsorship and reserve your space on the exhibit floor today!