Telehealth

Unless Congress acts, patients and physicians are going to lose out on digital health innovations allowed by PHE waivers, CHI says.

Members can schedule a primary care visit within days with a provider they select, and access care for common illnesses and infections.

The omnibus spending bill continues telehealth waivers for two years past the PHE, but was silent on the issue of reimbursement.

"We have seen a $400 per member, per month improvement in patient total cost of care," says CMO Jonathan Welch. 

The decline was larger than the national average in the South, Midwest and West, and there was an increase in the Northeast.

The telehealth group's ATA Action affiliate also praised the package for including provisions delaying the telemental health in-person requirement.

<p>The chief innovation officer for the Translational Research Institute for Space Health, James Hury, discusses the programs of greatest interest to the HIMSS audience, including collaboration opportunities.</p>

The legislation extends waivers for both programs that were put in place under the public health emergency.

Looking ahead to 2023 and beyond, HIMSS Media editors dust off the crystal ball for a look into what's ahead for hospital bottom lines, technology investments, digital health funding and more.

Congress has numerous bills, questions on cost and a "boatload" of data for CBO to sort through.