February Round-up/ Spring Kick off
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Dear Colleagues,
Happy Friday! We hope this finds you well and that you've safely navigated the various weather happenings of the past few weeks! Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner, and some exciting telehealth news and activities are afoot along with the warmer weather. This newsletter is jam-packed with: Regional and National Policy Updates, Federal Grant Program Funding Opportunities, Telehealth Events (Including NETRC's 2020 Conference information!), the most recent publications, headlines, and more!
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, for more information on the news below, to share your successes, or just to say hello!
On Behalf of the NETRC Team - Be Well,
Reid Plimpton, MPH - Project Manager
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State Telehealth Policy Updates
The spring session of state legislation has been an active one in the NETRC region, with both new bills and bills carried over from the previous sessions aimed at improving telehealth utilization hitting the floor in multiple states, a condensed tracking document is available
here
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Federal Funding Opportunities
USDA Rural Development Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant (DLT)-
Minimum Grant Amount $50,000, Maximum Grant Amount $1,000,000
DUE: 4/10/20
Grant Objective:
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural residents tap into the enormous potential of modern telecommunications and the Internet for education and health care, two of the keys to economic and community development.
Eligible Applicants
:
Most entities that provide education or healthcare through telecommunications in rural settings, including: Most State and Local Government Entities; Federally Recognized Tribes, Nonprofits; and For Profit Businesses. Rurality score requirements and calculation methods can be foun
d
here
Eligible Grant Purposes include
:
The Acquisition of eligible capital assets; The Acquisition of instructional programming that is a capital asset; Technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment.
Match Requirement:
15% of total project cost
HRSA Telehealth Network Grant Program (TNGP)-
Award Ceiling: $300,000 oer year (4 years) Estimated Number of Awards: 29
DUE: 4/13/20
Grant Objective:
The primary objective of the Telehealth Network Grant Program is to demonstrate how telehealth programs and networks can improve access to quality healthcare services in rural, frontier, and underserved communities. New to this years' funding, applicants are able to focus their efforts within the Emergency Department (ED) setting as well.
Eligible Applicants: R
ural or urban nonprofit entities that will provide services through a telehealth network.
Eligible Grant Purposes include:
Expanding access to, coordinating, and improving the quality of healthcare services; Improving and expanding the training of healthcare providers; & Expanding and improving the quality of health information available to healthcare providers, and patients and their families, for healthcare decision-making
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The Northeast Telehealth Resource Center (NETRC) is pleased to invite you to participate in the 6th annual Northeast Regional Telehealth Conference to be held on
June 8th and 9th in Manchester, New Hampshire (
Doubletree by Hilton, Manchester Downtown).
Stakeholders from across the eight-state NETRC region (New England, New Jersey, and New York) and beyond will share telehealth best practice and innovation, network with colleagues, and identify opportunities to advance telehealth. Join us for this year’s event, which focuses on the positive disruption of telehealth, and its impact on improving health access and outcomes from a variety of perspectives!
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Just 2 Weeks Left to Submit an Abstract:
Don't Miss the Chance to Share Your Telehealth Program, Outcomes, or Lessons Learned!
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Registration and Sponsorship Information
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Early Bird Registration Rates Still Available!
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Pre-Conference Workshop (6/8) - $40
Half-Day Conference (Day 1): (6/8) - $75
Networking Reception: (6/8)
(Included with all Conference Registrations)
Both Days (6/8 & 6/9) - $175
Full-Day Conference (6/9 only) - $125
For more information on the conference and agenda,
Click Here
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Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities Now Open
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Please join us for this exciting event by becoming a sponsor and/or exhibitor! We've created a variety of opportunities to network and gain exposure throughout the conference, including a new opportunity we're really looking forward to!
The Exhibit Hall will serve as a focal point for networking and the agenda will include ample time for attendees to visit with sponsors.
In addition to the Exhibit Hall space, we’ll be hosting our first ever "Vendor Showcase: Live Demonstration and Success Stories" on the morning of June 8, with time slots included in sponsorship packages.
All sponsorships include an exhibit booth and 1-3 conference registrations for the full conference.
To learn more and see what is still available download our
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Don't Miss This New CCHP Report!
"Billing for Telehealth Encounters: An Introductory Guide On Fee For Service"
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For the very first time, The Center for Connected Health Policy (
CCHP
) has developed a comprehensive Medicare Billing Guide that was recently at the start of February 2020, which also included an in-depth Medicaid example utilizing the California Medicaid Policies!
acts as a useful tool and resource for healthcare systems and organizations who are trying to establish their telehealth systems and may have gotten lost in the nuances of payer complexities. The guide uses use cases and specific examples throughout the telehealth landscape, ensuring value for a variety of providers; Click the link above or the image to the right to learn more!
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NETRC Telehealth Leadership Forum
Updates & Upcoming Meetings
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The Telehealth Leadership Forum kicked off the 2020 Meeting Schedule with a bang during the January 8th Video Conference Meeting; Reviewing Federal and and State level Policy and Coding changes that occured in the last months of 2019, potential presentation topics for the 2020 meeting dates, upcoming federal funding opportunities and more!
The Next Forum Meeting is scheduled for
March 4th, at 10am Eastern Time!
Join us as we discuss today's burning telehealth questions such as how to asess Provider Preferences, Share upcoming events and collaborative opportunities, and learn from our captivating speaker!
March's speaker will be Todd Young, Network Director of Telehealth Services at the University of Vermont Health Network.
Join the Conversation; Register Today!
The forum will operate on a bi-monthly basis, with the potential for a meeting in the off months as subgroups or when pressing topics arise. Please contact
Reid Plimpton
with any questions.
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Upcoming & Archived Webinars
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February 26th, 10:00 AM- 11:00AM
(Eastern)
HRSA-NETRC Telehealth Webinar Series
Part 1: Telehealth Overview & Reimbursement in the Northeast
CAPT Christopher Bersani, Deputy Regional Administrator | HRSA Office of Regional Operations | Region 1
Danielle Louder, Program Director | Northeast Telehealth Resource Center.
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February 27th & March 3rd 1pm-2pm (Eastern)
USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Overview Webinar
the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) will host webinars focused on the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. These webinars will inform participants about the major eligibility and regulatory requirements of the program and will provide detailed guidance on how to submit a successful grant application.
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February 25th, 2:30PM
(Eastern)
CTeL's Gaining Compliance Webinar Series:
Part 2: Ensuring Compliance Programs Adequately Adress Telehealth
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February 26th, 2:00pm- 3:00PM
(Eastern)
New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Webinar Series
Part 1:
Financing First Episode Psychosis Programs: Developing Medicaid and Commercial Insurance Support in Maine
Douglas Robbins, MD
March 11th, 2:00pm- 3:00PM
(Eastern)
New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Webinar Series
Part 2:
Telehealth 101 & an Introduction into TelePsychiatry from the Clinical Perspective
Reid Plimpton, MPH, Project Manager for Northeast Telehealth Resource Center, Medical Care Development
Terry Rabinowitz, MD, DDS, NETRC Principle Investigator Medical Director, Telemedicine, University of Vermont Medical Center
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March 19th, 2:00pm- 3:00PM
(Eastern)
National TRC Webinar Series:
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And in case you missed it:
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February 20th - 2:00pm EST
National TRC Webinar Series:
Opioid Use and Augmented Reality
Hosted by: TTAC; Speaker: Tim Collins, Epidemiologist, Alaska Native Epidemiology Center
Learn how the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium is developing immersive holograms to promote substance use dialogue in Alaska Native communities.
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Upcoming Regional and National Events
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Payers are embracing all-inclusive mHealth, telehealth platforms
mHealth Intelligence, January 22, 2020
Link
Humana's new partnership with Validic is the latest example of an insurer creating an mHealth platform that embraces not just Apple Watches and Fitbits, but a wide variety of connected health devices and services.
School-based telehealth makes health a priority for teachers, providers
mHealth Intelligence Feature, January 17, 2020
Link
Speaking at Xtelligent Healthcare Media’s 2019 Telehealth Summit in Atlanta, Robbins was part of a panel that described how a school-based telehealth program functions as a community resource for schools, health systems, parents, and community leaders to work together to address student health. This summary highlights success and challenges for school telehealth programs in North Carolina, Georgia, and California.
Warner Tells DEA to launch registration for telehealth prescriptions
mHealth Intelligence, January 20, 2020
Link
Senator Mark Warner is taking the DEA to task for failing to launch a promised - and mandated - special registration process for care providers who want to use telehealth to prescribe controlled substances.
Tufts Health Plan expands virtual care services worldwide
Becker’s Hospital Review, January 17, 2020
Link
Commercial members of Tufts Health Plan can now virtually seek care from U.S.-based, board-certified providers for general medical needs and diagnoses no matter where they are globally.
UPMC uses telehealth to help new moms dealing with hypertension
mHealth Intelligence, January 16, 2020
Link
Two years after launching a remote patient monitoring program for new mothers dealing with hypertension, UPMC is looking at lessons learned and making plans to expand the telehealth platform.
How to keep patient information secure in mHealth apps
American Medical Association, January 13, 2020
Link
The AMA recently produced an update to its online “Digital Health Implementation Playbook”, a practical guide to implementing digital technologies that take patient care beyond the exam room. The guide emphasizes how programs should assure that the data they are collecting is secure in terms of its integrity, availability, and confidentiality of the data.
Cigna launches new telehealth platform for primary care services
mHealth Intelligence, January 13, 2020
Link
The insurer is partnering with MDLive to launch a telehealth platform that gives its 12 million members in employee-sponsored health plans access to primary care services.
Teladoc-InTouch Health Deal Is a move toward telehealth integration
mHealth Intelligence, January 13, 2020
Link
Teladoc Health has announced plans to acquire InTouch Health, combining the former's expertise in consumer-based telehealth services with the latter's technology and provider-to-provider telemedicine capabilities.
Consumer Tech Association Unveils A Consumer’s Guide to mHealth Wearables
mHealth Intelligence, January 10, 2020
Link
With CES 2020 attracting a record number of mHealth companies and healthcare providers, CTA has partnered with the Heart Rhythm Society to develop best practices for consumers using mHealth wearables.
CMS grants to help states use telehealth, mhealth for pregnant moms, kids
mHealth Intelligence, January 8, 2020
Link
CMS is issuing grants to more than a dozen states (including Maine and New Hampshire) to coordinate and manage care for expectant mothers dealing with substance abuse and children with complex care needs. Some of these programs will employ telehealth and mHealth tools.
URAC-CHQI deal combines top 2 telehealth accrediting organizations
mHealth Intelligence, January 7, 2020
Link
URAC will fold CHQI's accreditation programs for telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and mental health and substance abuse disorder parity into its own portfolio.
Are state medical boards supporting or stifling telehealth?
mHealth Intelligence, January 6, 2020
Link
A new Health Affairs blog argues that the nation's network of state medical boards is focusing too much on local control that favors in-state operations and stifles the growth of telehealth through a free market system.
VA’s telehealth clinic for cancer care is the first in the nation
mHealth Intelligence, January 3, 2020
Link
Located in Pittsburgh, the telehealth program has been delivering cancer care management and chemotherapy treatment for about a year to a clinic 100 miles away for veterans living in central Pennsylvania.
AMA council supports licensure compact to push telehealth adoption
mHealth Intelligence, December 31, 2019
Link
The AMA has adopted a report calling for support for the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact so that physicians can use telehealth to compete against vendors, retail clinics and payers moving into the space.
Study: mobile telestroke program cuts 30 minutes off response time
mHealth Intelligence, December 30, 2019
Link
An analysis of a mobile telestroke program launched in Manhattan by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has found that the mHealth service for EMS can cut 30 minutes off the treatment time for people suffering a stroke.
Lowell General Hospital turns Amazon’s Alexa Into an mHealth coach
mHealth Intelligence, December 23, 2019
Link
The Massachusetts Hospital has partnered with mHealth company Frontive to create a connected health platform that helps patients with care management tasks both before and after their hospital stay.
New Jersey hospital to use telehealth to improve pre-op, post-op care-
mHealth Intelligence, December 16, 2019
Link
St. Peter's University Hospital is launching a remote patient monitoring program to improve care management for patients undergoing a C-section or hysterectomy.
5G telehealth in acute medical treatment can improve patient outcomes-
VC Daily, December 16, 2019
Link
This story discusses the prospects of 5G broadband networks to enhance the delivery of telehealth care, especially in the area of emergency telemedicine.
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Recommended Telehealth Research/Resources
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AlDossary S, Armfield NR, Smith AC, Martin-Khan MG. Centre of Research Excellence in Telehealth, National Health and Medical Research Council; University of Queensland, Australia 2019
Batsis JA, DiMilia PR, Seo LM, et al.
J. Amer. Geriatr. Soc.
67(8):
1737-1749, 2019
(requires a free registration)
Batsis JA, McClure AC, Weintraub AB, et al. Obes. Sci. Pract. 5(6):521-530, 2019
Becker CD, Dandy K, Gaujean M, Fusaro M, Scurlock C. Perm. J. 23: 18-294, 2019
Bommakanti KK, Smith LL, Liu L, et al.
BMC Public Health 20(1):
81, 2020
Burnham JP, Fritz SA, Yaeger LH, Colditz GA. Open Forum Infect. Dis. 6(12):ofz517, 2019
Bush NE, Armstrong CM, Hoyt TV.
Psychol. Serv. 16(2):
188-195, 2019
Center for Connected Health Policy , January 2020
Chandrashekar P, Jain SH.
Amer. J. Managed Care 26(1):
20-22, 2020
Cowan KE, McKean AJ, Gentry MT, Hilty DM.
Mayo Clin. Proc. 94(12):
2510-2523, 2019
Edwards-Stewart A, Alexander C, Armstrong CM, et al.
Psychol .Serv.16(2):
281-285, 2019
Garma M, Sioud S, Mellouli N, Chokri A, Selmi J.
World J. Pharm. Med. Res. 5(2),:
52-56, 2019
Gillespie SM, Wasserman EB, Wood NE, et al.
J. Amer. Med. Dir. Assoc. 20(8):
942-946, 2019
Jones M, DeRuyter F, Morris J.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 17(2):
E381, 2020
Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center, New York Mid-Atlantic Consortium.
(requires a free registration)
Ovtcharenko N, Thomson BKA.
Can. J. Kidney Health Dis. 6:
2054358119887154, 2019
Pappas Y, Vseteckova J, Mastellos N, et al.
J. Patient Exp. 6(4):
296-304, 2019
Rushton S, Boggan JC, Lewinski AA, et al. Department of Veterans Affairs, July 2019
Slaboda JC, Wardlow L, Wade AM, Abrashkin K. West Health Institute,. December 2019
(requires a free registration)
Torok M, Han J, Baker S, et al.
Lancet Dig. Health 2(1):
25-36, 2020
Wilson AM, Ong MK, Saliba D, Jamal NI.
Frontiers Neurol. 10:
1050, 2019
World Health Organization, 2019
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The Northeast Telehealth Resource Center (a proud member of the
National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers) aims to increase access to quality health care services for rural and medically underserved populations through Telehealth. Our service area includes New England, Northern New Jersey, and New York. Learn more at
www.netrc.org
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This newsletter was made possible by grant number G22RH30352 from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, Health Resources and Services Administration, DHHS
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