Telehealth
Telehealth is vital in increasing access to healthcare. Healthcare providers can use audiovisual, audio-only or asynchronous telehealth tools to facilitate virtual visits, improving patient experience and, in some cases, reducing healthcare costs. But hurdles like the digital divide and racial disparities, which can widen existing health inequities, must be tackled.
Top Stories
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25 Sep 2024
Telehealth use associated with physician satisfaction
A recent study reveals that telehealth enhances physician satisfaction and perceived care quality, adding to our understanding of how physicians feel about telehealth. Continue Reading
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19 Sep 2024
Michigan partnership bets on virtual visits for uninsured
Michigan-based payer Priority Health and virtual care provider Curai Health are offering free virtual visits to the uninsured, aiming to improve care access and reduce costs. Continue Reading
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19 Sep 2024
Michigan partnership bets on virtual visits for uninsured
Michigan-based payer Priority Health and virtual care provider Curai Health are offering free virtual visits to the uninsured, aiming to improve care access and reduce costs. Continue Reading
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09 Sep 2024
Virtual primary care 101: Usage, benefits and more
Virtual primary care, boosted by the pandemic and popular among providers and patients alike, offers myriad patient care benefits, but challenges to its adoption persist. Continue Reading
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05 Sep 2024
Which physicians are most likely to provide telehealth?
Physician characteristics such as sex and specialty are associated with the likelihood of physicians providing care services via telehealth, per new research. Continue Reading
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28 Aug 2024
Limited English proficiency complicates telehealth visits
New research shows that Mandarin speakers with limited English proficiency find telehealth convenient but face communication issues with interpreters and healthcare providers. Continue Reading
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22 Aug 2024
Telehealth utilization trends vary across specialties
A new study highlights the variability of telehealth utilization by specialty, with some specialties like mental healthcare continuing to experience high telehealth use. Continue Reading
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21 Aug 2024
Telehealth-based CHF treatment as effective as in-person care
New research reveals that telehealth-based treatment for congestive heart failure results in similar emergency department visits and hospital admissions as in-person care. Continue Reading
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14 Aug 2024
Telehealth use spikes with dementia patients during pandemic
Telehealth use surged among dementia patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, with various social determinants influencing utilization, per recent research. Continue Reading
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12 Aug 2024
Deploying telehealth for equitable hypertension management
Massachusetts public health officials detail the implementation of a telehealth-based hypertension management program that improves outcomes among underserved groups. Continue Reading
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08 Aug 2024
Employing telehealth to boost maternal health equity
UC Davis Health is using telehealth to improve postpartum visit attendance among Black people, thereby enhancing maternal health equity and closing care gaps. Continue Reading
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07 Aug 2024
Lack of telehealth services hurts rural hospital finances
Rural hospitals are losing patients to urban hospitals that provide telehealth, resulting in negative financial repercussions, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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06 Aug 2024
What to do and not do when deploying virtual nursing programs
Health systems nationwide are implementing virtual nursing programs, but a carefully thought-out deployment process is critical to their success. Continue Reading
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01 Aug 2024
Telehealth offsets primary care visit declines but not equally
Telehealth's ability to offset primary care visit declines varied across patient characteristics, with some groups still experiencing large drops in visit volumes. Continue Reading
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18 Jul 2024
Health information exchange barriers hamper telehealth adoption
US hospitals cited numerous IT challenges, including interoperability issues, that are curbing telehealth’s full potential in care delivery, new research shows. Continue Reading
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17 Jul 2024
Telehealth referrals boost OUD treatment initiation, retention
Compared to referrals originating during in-person ED visits, telehealth-based referrals were more effective in facilitating OUD treatment initiation and retention. Continue Reading
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16 Jul 2024
Telehealth use rose 2.7% nationally in April but fell in 3 US regions
Even as telehealth use fluctuates, telemental healthcare remains popular, with mental health conditions encompassing 69 percent of telehealth claim lines nationally. Continue Reading
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16 Jul 2024
Out-of-pocket payment deters telemental healthcare use
New study results imply that if the HDHP exemption enabling predeductible telehealth coverage expires at the end of the year, telemental health use may decline. Continue Reading
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15 Jul 2024
Deploying a collaborative telemental healthcare model in Oklahoma
A telehealth platform is connecting community behavioral health centers and law enforcement in Oklahoma to expand much-needed mental healthcare access. Continue Reading
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11 Jul 2024
Ethical considerations when providing virtual care
The successful integration of virtual care relies on numerous considerations, including ethical factors that could limit the benefits of digital health technology. Continue Reading
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10 Jul 2024
Telemental health service availability declined post-PHE
After the public health emergency ended in May 2023, the proportion of mental health facilities offering telehealth services fell, new research reveals. Continue Reading
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08 Jul 2024
How a free virtual clinic is boosting mental health access in Virginia
Following a successful pilot, a free telemental health clinic is expanding to provide underserved Virginia residents with quicker access to mental healthcare. Continue Reading
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03 Jul 2024
Telehealth abortions without in-person ultrasound is safe, effective
Research highlights the safety and efficacy of telehealth abortions, where patients do not receive an in-person ultrasound and get their medications via the mail. Continue Reading
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01 Jul 2024
Examining the limitations of the current telehealth market
In a new podcast, healthcare economist Dr. Sanjula Jain tracks the trajectory of telehealth through the pandemic, detailing the current parameters of the market. Continue Reading
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27 Jun 2024
Amazon combines virtual care clinic with One Medical
Amazon Clinic will become part of One Medical, though it will still provide on-demand virtual care for minor conditions on a pay-per-visit basis. Continue Reading
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27 Jun 2024
Exploring America’s broadband problem & what it means for telehealth
Broadband access remains a significant barrier to telehealth utilization, with millions of Americans unable to benefit from advancements in virtual care. Continue Reading
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26 Jun 2024
Teleneurology acceptable among veterans with varying conditions
New research reveals teleneurology was acceptable among veterans regardless of neurological condition, with higher comorbidity linked to higher acceptability. Continue Reading
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25 Jun 2024
Cancer patient safety, satisfaction high with virtual radiation care
Research reveals that telehealth-enabled radiation oncology treatment resulted in high patient satisfaction and bolstered patient safety. Continue Reading
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24 Jun 2024
Surgeons prefer in-person visits to telehealth for preop visits
Most surgeons would not use telehealth for preoperative care, citing several concerns, including malpractice risk and reimbursement issues, a survey reveals. Continue Reading
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20 Jun 2024
Telehealth use waned across demographic groups in 2022
Like in 2021, women, older adults, and urban residents were more likely to use telehealth in 2022, but overall telehealth usage across these groups fell sharply. Continue Reading
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18 Jun 2024
Evidence of telehealth effectiveness versus in-person care ‘weak’
Though studies show that telehealth and in-person care are similarly effective, researchers found that the majority of clinical evidence comparing the two is biased. Continue Reading
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13 Jun 2024
DOJ arrests, charges telemental health company leaders
Leaders of telemental healthcare and e-prescribing company Done Health were charged with inappropriately distributing controlled substances and healthcare fraud. Continue Reading
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12 Jun 2024
US sues telehealth companies over data sharing, cancelation policies
The complaint alleges that the virtual care companies failed to protect patient data, billed without informed consent, and created burdensome cancellation processes. Continue Reading
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10 Jun 2024
How PA’s virtual-first center of excellence is bolstering OUD care
Armed with a PA center of excellence designation, virtual care provider Ophelia aims to expand medication-assisted treatment access for opioid use disorder. Continue Reading
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06 Jun 2024
43% of mental health visits occurred via telehealth in 2021
Mental healthcare remained a top use case for telehealth in 2021, even as telehealth utilization declined from pandemic highs, new research shows. Continue Reading
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04 Jun 2024
Telehealth curbs cancer care-related greenhouse gas emissions
New research shows that telehealth can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with cancer care, including driving to in-person clinic appointments. Continue Reading
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31 May 2024
Virtual consults boost PCP comfort in providing gender-affirming care
Consultive support provided via virtual care modalities made pediatric primary care physicians more comfortable caring for gender-diverse youth. Continue Reading
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29 May 2024
Rural-urban telehealth divide evident among privately insured Americans
Telehealth use increased significantly among Americans with private insurance after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the rural-urban divide remained. Continue Reading
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22 May 2024
Most patients prefer physician’s office backgrounds during video visits
Video visit patients indicated a strong preference for physician’s office backgrounds over kitchen and bedroom backgrounds, research shows. Continue Reading
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20 May 2024
Audio-only telehealth use on the decline among Medicare patients
Audio-only telehealth utilization has declined among Medicare beneficiaries, but underserved groups remain frequent users of the modality, new research shows. Continue Reading
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16 May 2024
Telehealth-enabled acute care does not drive in-person follow-ups
Research shows that synchronous telehealth services for acute care needs did not result in high rates of in-person follow-ups in the month after the virtual visit. Continue Reading
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15 May 2024
Telehealth accounted for nearly 1 in 5 abortions in December 2023
Despite total and near-total abortion bans in several states, abortions remain consistently elevated due in part to an increase in telehealth abortions, data shows. Continue Reading
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14 May 2024
How telehealth is boosting care access among NYC’s homeless population
NYC Health + Hospitals has deployed its virtual urgent care service in homeless shelters citywide, enabling thousands to access physical and behavioral healthcare. Continue Reading
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13 May 2024
Limited English proficiency patients have worse video visit experiences
Patients with limited English proficiency are less likely to report telehealth use and more likely to rate video visits as worse than in-person care, research shows. Continue Reading
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10 May 2024
Healthcare organizations plan to expand telespecialty, virtual sitting
In a KLAS report, health organizations described the virtual care solutions with the broadest use cases across their enterprises and the areas they plan to expand. Continue Reading
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08 May 2024
At ATA Nexus, stakeholders plan for the next phase of telehealth
The American Telemedicine Association’s annual conference saw various discussions about the new era of telehealth and strategies to support that evolution. Continue Reading
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07 May 2024
Text, phone-based virtual care boosts maternal mental health screening
The virtual care intervention increased maternal mental health screenings and referrals, resulting in higher rates of treatment, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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02 May 2024
Exploring advantages and challenges of synchronous video telehealth
Synchronous video-based telehealth can improve care delivery in numerous ways, but SDOH and other barriers impede the benefits linked to its use. Continue Reading
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01 May 2024
Telehealth interventions enhance post-abdominal surgery outcomes
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 studies revealed that telehealth interventions can reduce readmissions and ED visits. Continue Reading
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30 Apr 2024
Walmart shutters health centers, telehealth service, citing cost burdens
Walmart will close its 51 health centers and virtual care services, citing reimbursement challenges and growing operating costs as the primary reasons for the decision. Continue Reading
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30 Apr 2024
Hybrid care ups EHR-based work by 6% for primary care physicians
Days when both telehealth and in-person primary care were provided were linked to significant increases in active EHR and documentation time, new research shows. Continue Reading
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26 Apr 2024
UnitedHealth Group’s Optum eliminates virtual care service
The beleaguered company, still reeling from the Change Healthcare cyberattack, made the surprising decision to shut down its three-year-old virtual care service. Continue Reading
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25 Apr 2024
Clinicians, staff highlight strategies to enhance virtual diabetes care
Interviews with clinicians and staff involved in virtual specialty diabetes care revealed a need for improvements in workflows, staff support, and data collection. Continue Reading
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24 Apr 2024
The Joint Commission unveils new telehealth accreditation program
The accreditation agency is rolling out a new program to provide updated standards for telehealth delivery that supports high-quality virtual care. Continue Reading
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23 Apr 2024
Employing telehealth to ease the hospice transition for kids with cancer
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is using telehealth to bring coordinated hospice services and its benefits to children with terminal cancer and their families. Continue Reading
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22 Apr 2024
Telehealth use led to modest care improvements, spending increases
Higher telehealth use was linked to more outpatient visits, fewer ED visits, and better medication adherence, but also more healthcare spending, new research shows. Continue Reading
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18 Apr 2024
Audio-only telehealth boosts heart failure care for Native Americans
Audio-only telehealth enabled the remote initiation of guideline-directed drugs for heart failure among Americans in the rural Navajo Nation, research shows. Continue Reading
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17 Apr 2024
Using telehealth to provide timely mental healthcare in rural Illinois
An OSF HealthCare leader discusses how telehealth services can help extend mental health assessments to patients seeking behavioral healthcare in EDs. Continue Reading
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16 Apr 2024
Mental health conditions remain top telehealth diagnosis nationwide
FAIR Health data shows that mental health conditions topped the telehealth diagnosis list in January, accounting for 66.3 percent of telehealth claim lines. Continue Reading
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11 Apr 2024
44% of mental health patients had in-person visits before telehealth
When the in-person visit requirement prior to telemental health appointments was waived, less than half of patients had one, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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10 Apr 2024
Remote care drove medication uptake among type 2 diabetes patients
Remote patient education and treatment delivered simultaneously improved cardiovascular and kidney medication uptake among type 2 diabetes patients. Continue Reading
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08 Apr 2024
Veterans’ telehealth use for alcohol use disorder varies across groups
Telehealth increased psychotherapy and medication coverage days for veterans with AUD, but some groups, like Black and rural veterans, were less likely to use it. Continue Reading
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04 Apr 2024
Telehealth did not reduce death risk linked to mechanical ventilation
New research reveals that telehealth-based critical care services did not reduce the odds of death among critically ill patients on mechanical ventilators. Continue Reading
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02 Apr 2024
UPMC telehealth clinic facilitates OUD medication access, cuts costs
New research reveals that telehealth bridge clinic visits resulted in broad buprenorphine initiation and significant cost savings for the health system. Continue Reading
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01 Apr 2024
American College of Surgeons endorses telehealth use in surgery
The association detailed the benefits of incorporating telehealth into surgical care, offering best practices and strategies for telehealth adoption. Continue Reading
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29 Mar 2024
Audio-only rehab improves activity participation among cancer survivors
A telephone-based rehabilitation intervention increased daily activity participation among breast cancer survivors after treatment, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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28 Mar 2024
Establishing a telehealth alliance to boost rural healthcare access
Virtual care provider Eagle Telemedicine has launched an alliance that enables rural hospitals to share costs and resources for virtual specialty care services. Continue Reading
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27 Mar 2024
Models adjusting for geography show racial gaps in telehealth use
Unadjusted research models show high telehealth use among minority race groups during the pandemic, but models that adjust for geography reveal the opposite. Continue Reading
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26 Mar 2024
Telehealth cuts no-show odds in half among trans, gender-diverse youth
Telehealth lowered the likelihood of no-shows by 56 percent among transgender and gender-diverse youth in rural areas, a recent study reveals. Continue Reading
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26 Mar 2024
Female, chronically ill patients more likely to use telehealth
Over 40 percent of patients used telehealth in 2022, but certain groups are more likely to use the care modality than others, new research reveals. Continue Reading
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21 Mar 2024
Telehealth enables opioid use disorder treatment during pregnancy
New research reveals that a majority of pregnant people remained engaged in telehealth-enabled OUD care, with most carrying to term. Continue Reading
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20 Mar 2024
DTC telehealth results in more antibiotics for pediatric patients
New research reveals that direct-to-consumer telehealth visits are linked to more antibiotic prescriptions for kids than primary care-facilitated telehealth visits. Continue Reading
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19 Mar 2024
Telehealth-based rural caregiver support feasible, cost-effective
A new study shows that telehealth-based palliative care support for rural caregivers is cost-effective, with Medicare reimbursement mechanisms available. Continue Reading
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18 Mar 2024
Creating a community-led telehealth approach for supportive cancer care
Tennessee Oncology is joining forces with rural patients to explore strategies for expanding telehealth access to supportive cancer care services. Continue Reading
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12 Mar 2024
Patients mostly use telehealth for prescription renewals, follow-ups
New survey results from Elevance Health reveal US adults’ top telehealth use cases and underscore the enduring patient satisfaction with virtual care services. Continue Reading
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08 Mar 2024
Pediatric telehealth use can help shrink healthcare’s carbon footprint
A new study shows that pediatric telehealth use cut carbon emissions by 618 metric tons over one year by eliminating the need for travel to and from clinics. Continue Reading
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07 Mar 2024
USDA Offers $60M in Funding for Telehealth, Distance Learning
The agency is accepting applications for grant funding to support hardware and software purchases for telehealth and distance learning services nationwide. Continue Reading
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06 Mar 2024
Former Doc Receives Prison Sentence for Telehealth Prescribing Scheme
A former California physician will spend more than three years in federal prison for his role in a telehealth prescribing scheme that included opioids. Continue Reading
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05 Mar 2024
Overcoming the Digital Divide Through Community-Based Telehealth
Parkland Health and URMC leaders discuss their recently established community-based telehealth resources to improve healthcare access. Continue Reading
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04 Mar 2024
Medication Error Rates Similar Between Phone, Video Telehealth Consults
In the ED, physician-related medication error rates were similar after video telehealth and telephone consultations, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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29 Feb 2024
16% of All Abortions Occur Via Telehealth as Restrictions Tighten
Following the overturning of federal abortion protections, abortions obtained via telehealth, even in states with bans, have grown, new research shows. Continue Reading
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21 Feb 2024
Telehealth Billing Largely Met Medicare Requirements During Pandemic
A federal report reveals that healthcare providers using telehealth to deliver evaluation and management services generally complied with Medicare rules. Continue Reading
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15 Feb 2024
Depression Screening Less Likely During Telehealth Than In-Person Visit
A new study shows that patients were less likely to undergo a depression screening during a telehealth visit than an in-person visit early in the pandemic. Continue Reading
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12 Feb 2024
Telemental Healthcare Use Varies Across Sociodemographic Lines
New research reveals that while outpatient mental healthcare visits have increased, telehealth use in this area varies based on social and economic factors. Continue Reading
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09 Feb 2024
Telehealth Bridge Clinic Engages Vulnerable Patients in OUD Treatment
An analysis by UPMC shows that its telehealth bridge clinic effectively engaged vulnerable opioid use disorder patients, extending access to treatment. Continue Reading
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07 Feb 2024
Epic, LightBeam Among Best in KLAS Virtual Care Winners
Based on thousands of interviews and evaluations, the 2024 Best in KLAS rankings crowned new winners in the telehealth and remote patient monitoring spaces. Continue Reading
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07 Feb 2024
Primary, Specialty Care Physicians Favor Telehealth More Than Surgeons
A majority of primary and specialty care physicians believe telehealth and in-person care quality are similar versus only half of surgical specialists. Continue Reading
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06 Feb 2024
Amid Rise in Hypertension-Related Telehealth, Racial Gaps Persist
Hypertension-related telehealth visits rose in 2020, remaining elevated after the pandemic’s peak, but use among Black adults remained lower than among other races. Continue Reading
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02 Feb 2024
Telehealth Availability at Mental Health Facilities Varies Across States
Research shows that mental health facilities in certain states and counties reported low availability of telehealth services, implying widespread access disparities. Continue Reading
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30 Jan 2024
Female, Urban Providers More Likely to Shift to Telemental Health
Of the 13 percent of mental health specialists providing telehealth-only services in 2022, a higher proportion were female and worked in urban areas, per new research. Continue Reading
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26 Jan 2024
Primary Care Offers Safe, Positive Telehealth Abortions, Patients Say
A new qualitative study reveals positive patient perceptions of telehealth medication abortions provided within their primary care networks. Continue Reading
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24 Jan 2024
Veterans’ Use of Video-Based Telehealth 2,300% Higher Than Pre-Pandemic
Veterans’ telehealth use skyrocketed during the pandemic, but research shows that in 2023, audio-only visits have dropped while video visit levels remain high. Continue Reading
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24 Jan 2024
Developing Simulation-Based Telehealth Training for Next-Gen Nurses
OSF HealthCare and Illinois State University are launching a telehealth training program for nurses that offers simulations of virtual visits with trained actors. Continue Reading
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23 Jan 2024
Internet Use Gaps Among Medicare Patients Shrinking Across Segments
Study results show that internet use rates increased the most among Medicare patients with lower internet use, but disparities remain across demographic lines. Continue Reading
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19 Jan 2024
Palliative Care via Audio-Only Telehealth Boosts Quality of Life
An audio-only telehealth intervention delivering palliative care to patients with chronic conditions improved quality of life scores, research shows. Continue Reading
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18 Jan 2024
Patients Use Telehealth When Clinicians Recommend, Require It
Research shows that clinicians drive patient telehealth use, but younger adults are more likely to use telehealth because their clinician said so than those over 60. Continue Reading
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16 Jan 2024
Counties with Urgent Mental Healthcare Needs Face Telehealth Barriers
A new study reveals that US counties with low densities of mental healthcare resources also have a higher percentage of homes without broadband access. Continue Reading
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12 Jan 2024
FCC Updates Funding Program to Boost Rural Telehealth Adoption
The agency published the final rule for its Rural Health Care Program, updating several provisions to reduce barriers to provider adoption of virtual care. Continue Reading
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11 Jan 2024
How Virtual Nursing Can Help Fortify a Workforce in Crisis
Leaders from three healthcare organizations detail their virtual nursing efforts, how these are impacting their nurses, and the challenges to implementation. Continue Reading
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09 Jan 2024
Telehealth, High-Speed Internet Access May Not Close Care Gaps
Access to telehealth and high-speed internet increases primary care use overall, but healthcare disparities persist, a new study shows. Continue Reading
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08 Jan 2024
Amazon Enables Digital Health Benefits Check for Chronic Conditions
Through the new initiative, healthcare consumers can check on Amazon’s website whether they are eligible for digital health programs to manage chronic conditions. Continue Reading
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08 Jan 2024
Patient Care, Policy & More: A Look at This Year’s Virtual Care Trends
The telehealth industry held steady on several fronts last year, but experts say 2024 will be different as stakeholders determine the future of virtual care. Continue Reading