Telehealth

FAST is the FHIR at Scale Task Force under HL7 that is looking at implementing guides around identity, consent, security, a national directory and testing how all those things come together, says Janice Reese, program manager of FAST.

The continuation of flexibilities for telehealth and acute hospital care at home rides on federal spending bill.

If Congress doesn’t take action by the end of 2024 to make permanent waivers that have been extended for two years, the country goes back to March 2020 policy, says Tom Leary, senior vice president and head of government relations at HIMSS.  

Extension of other PHE waivers for telehealth and remote monitoring awaits action by Congress before the end of this year.

The intent of prior authorization - to make efficient use of health resources - has not worked, says Peter Ax of UpScriptHealth.

The company says there's opportunity to enhance its value proposition in the realm of virtual care.

Telemedicine offsets waiting times and offers the ability for a clinician to step in after hours, says Carrie Nelson, chief medical officer at KeyCare.

Beginning this month, Cigna members can connect for urgent care from board-certified doctors without phone or video.

Telehealth for mental health conditions, which account for half of telehealth claims, fell in most areas of the country.

Telemedicine opened doors to healthcare access, says Dr. Shawn Griffin, president and CEO of URAC, a telehealth accreditor that recognizes organizations for excellence in telemedicine to boost health equity.