Telehealth

Avizia capped its funding round with the deal, bringing total Series A Capital raised to $18 million.

The health system has been using telehealth to reduce emergency room wait times and power its telestroke peer-to-peer physician consult program.

Program cements two payment tracks and "pick your pace" approach while setting aside money to support small practices.

HIMSS supports contracting requirement while the Federation of American Hospitals suggests pushing back the program.

This summer, the federal government directed $1.4 million to five pilot projects located in southwest Virginia as well as Tennessee and Kentucky.

To help consumers foot the remaining bill, Aetna said it is offering monthly payroll deductions.

Telehealth will also become a standard benefit for most of Cigna's employer-sponsored group health plans in the United States.

Leaders from the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Energy and Commerce said healthcare providers need more time.

About 71 percent of non-acute care and 50 percent of acute care respondents pointed to a lack of financial resources to shore up their systems.

The study's authors said research into practice-level implementation should be the next step, particularly since the vast majority of research conducted to date has been under old -- and possibly soon-to-be-outdated -- care delivery models.