Hello Northwest Regional, Northwest Region:
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Telehealth Policy Update: Medicare Telehealth Waivers and Flexibilities

On December 21, the President signed the American Relief Act 2025 (telehealth provisions begin at page 100) extending key Medicare telehealth waivers through March 31, 2025.


Highlights of these extensions are included in the January 14, 2025 newsletter from the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP):

  • Waiving geographic and specific site requirements         
  • Maintaining the list of eligible providers to use telehealth to provide services   
  • Continuing to allow Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to provide services via telehealth   
  • Delaying the requirement for in-person visits for mental health services taking place without the geographic requirement to be met and taking place in an eligible site such as the home
  • Continuing to allow services to be provided via audio-only           
  • Continuing to allow telehealth to be used to conduct face-to-face encounter recertification for beneficiaries eligible for hospice care
  • Extending the acute hospital at home program


For updates to telehealth policy, visit CCHP to access telehealth resources, sign up for future newsletters, or view previous newsletters. If you have a specific question about telehealth policy, contact CCHP directly.


Due to the short-term extension of several key telehealth waivers and flexibilities, the NRTRC will refrain from updating online telehealth resources until more long-term information is available. These resources include NRTRC’s online telehealth trainings, the CAH Telehealth Guide, and more. 

News

Survey Results on Internet Access and Use in Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Areas

See the infographic below from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) for a description of estimates on internet access and use among Medicare beneficiaries living in metropolitan and non-metropolitan communities. Or visit here to view the infographic on the CMS website and see if you are as surprised as we are at the numbers!

Data shows that internet use among Medicare beneficiaries who live in metropolitan areas and those who do not is very similar: for example, 91% of metropolitan residents have internet access while 86% of non-metropolitan residents have internet access.

 How to Secure Funding for Digital Health: Federal Grants and Telehealth for Rural Hospitals

NRHA logo

Join grant-funding experts at this webinar on Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025 at 12 p.m.–1 p.m. MST.


Securing federal grants is critical for rural hospitals to implement and sustain telehealth programs. This session offers practical strategies to access funding and make telehealth a long-term solution for your community.

 

Angela Connor, a grant expert with a proven track record of helping rural hospitals secure millions in federal funding, will share actionable insights on navigating the complex grant process. Her work has directly supported hospitals in expanding telehealth programs and improving access to care in underserved communities.


Dr. Anisha Mathur, a telehealth leader with extensive experience working in critical access hospitals, will discuss how rural facilities can use virtual care to deliver high-quality, specialty services while keeping patients local. Her real-world examples highlight what’s possible when funding aligns with a strong telehealth strategy.

 

You’ll learn:

  • Which federal grants are available to rural hospitals right now
  • Step-by-step guidance to create compelling applications that win funding
  • Real-world examples of grant-funded telehealth programs that improve outcomes and sustain local care

 

This session equips rural healthcare leaders with actionable tools to secure financial support and enhance care delivery for their communities.

TAPs Best Practices Guide Is Live

The Telehealth Access Points (TAPs) Best Practices Guide outlines how to create public spaces where individuals can access telehealth appointments. TAPs are equipped with essential tools like internet access, video/audio devices, and privacy enclosures, ensuring effective and secure virtual healthcare visits. The guide details necessary equipment, sanitization protocols, and scheduling options while emphasizing the role of digital navigators in supporting individuals with digital skills and healthcare access. It highlights the importance of community partnerships to overcome barriers like digital literacy and infrastructure gaps, and explores TAP models in locations such as libraries, banks, and kiosks.

Words "Enroll your TAP today" on top of a map of the northwest United States.

A Roadmap for Telehealth

Cover of a special edition of Telemedicine and e-Health

Telehealth Post-Pandemic: A Roadmap for the Coming Decade


Telemedicine and e-Health, December 2024


Check out this compelling summary of original research related to telehealth published in 2024. The format is easy to follow, mimicking turning pages in a book!


The American Heart Association Center for Telehealth supported this special issue.

Regional News

Success Story: Informed Response Helped a Provider Grow Practice via Telehealth


I own a small practice and have been trying to expand my reach through telehealth. I wanted to make certain that I fell well within the scope of practice and rules and regulations surrounding telehealth visits, so I inquired with NRTRC through their web portal about this issue.


I immediately received a response from Jaleen Johnson, NRTRC Program Manager. She graciously organized a Zoom meeting with her and Nicki Perisho, RN, Program Director of NRTRC. Both were extremely knowledgeable and provided great resources for me to pursue as I established my telehealth practice reach in the Northwest across multiple states.


I was blown away by how helpful and responsive these two were and, in general, how incredible the organization is overall. I have had the same experience with the Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center; these programs all seem great. These organizations do not get enough credit for the quality work that they do for the community! Thank you so much. It's been a wonderful experience!


Tell Us Your Story! For more success stories, see all our Success Stories here. If you'd like to share your experience, submit a Success Story here. 

Grant Funding Opportunities

Binder with the word "Grants" on the cover on top of a large stack of papers.

USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other—and the world—overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. USDA encourages you to consider projects that promote equity and economic opportunity in rural America, specifically those that advance these key priorities:


  • Helping rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure
  • Ensuring that all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development programs and benefits from Rural Development funded projects
  • Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities


Deadline: March 6, 2025


Refer to the funding page on the NRTRC website for additional updated grant opportunities.

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Events to Bookmark in 2025

January

NCTRC Webinar—Breaking Down Barriers to Telehealth: How the Digital Health Readiness Screener Can Drive Equity and Access

Jan 16, 2025 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

Organizer: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers


Discover how the new Digital Health Readiness Screener from Thomas Jefferson University is making a difference in telehealth access by identifying key barriers faced by diverse patient populations. This webinar will explore how the screener assesses technical readiness and quality of care concerns, including digital literacy, privacy, and trust in telehealth. Join us to learn how this tool can support targeted interventions and help advance digital health equity across healthcare settings.


TeleBehavioral Health 2025—Burnout & Telemental Health: Re-connecting to Ourselves while Connecting to Others

Jan 17, 2025 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

Organizer: University of Washington Behavioral Health Institute


Burnout is ubiquitous in all aspects of health care, but telemental health has its own unique challenges. Technology allows us to rapidly connect with patients anywhere in the country, and yet technology also can, paradoxically, isolate us (working from home, without colleagues), emotionally distance us from others (limiting emotional and non-verbal communication), and make us more sedentary and disconnected from our bodies. This talk will explore ways of mitigating telemental health burnout through enhancing human connection with ourselves and with patients by using whole health principles developed by the VA.

Webinar announcement; webinar titled Burnout & Telemental Health: Re-connecting to Ourselves while Connecting to Others; to be held January 17, 2025 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

How to Secure Funding for Digital Health: Federal Grants and Telehealth for Rural Hospitals

Jan 29 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

Organizer: National Rural Health Association


Securing federal grants is critical for rural hospitals to implement and sustain telehealth programs. This session offers practical strategies to access funding and make telehealth a long-term solution for your community.


You’ll learn:

  • Which federal grants are available to rural hospitals right now
  • Step-by-step guidance to create compelling applications that win funding
  • Real-world examples of grant-funded telehealth programs that improve outcomes and sustain local care


This session equips rural healthcare leaders with actionable tools to secure financial support and enhance care delivery for their communities.


See our featured article above about this event!


So Your Internet Sucks…

Jan 30 @ 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Organizer: Telehealth Technology Assessment Center


Join the Telehealth Technology Assessment Center (TTAC) and Exactly Labs for a discussion on broadband and the recent Telehealth Broadband Pilot program!

February


SEARCH 2025

Feb 2–Feb 3

Los Angeles, CA

Organizer: SEARCH Society


SEARCH 2025—The National Telehealth Research Symposium will showcase connected health initiatives, strategies, and partnerships, specifically those that focus on the research of telemedicine, telehealth, eHealth, mHealth, and other healthcare technologies.


This event is hosted by SEARCH, the Society for Education and Advancement in Research in Connected Health.


NACHC Policy and Issues Forum

Feb 5–Feb 8

Washington, DC

Organizer: National Association of Community Health Centers


The 2025 NACHC Policy and Issues Forum (P&I) is an event where change-makers and thought leaders in the health center movement gather momentum and focus on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.


Health center leaders from around the country—doctors, nurses, CEOs, and consumer board leaders—will descend on the halls of Congress, share their stories and underscore that long-term sustainability is essential to meet the growing demand for care.


NRHA Rural Health Policy Institute

Feb 11–Feb 13

Washington, DC

Organizer: National Rural Health Association


Join NRHA and hundreds of rural health advocates from across the nation to bring our clout to the Capitol for NRHA’s 36th Rural Health Policy Institute. This is our moment to guide the future of rural health policy and to advocate directly on the issues we care about. NRHA helps make your voice louder in Washington DC every day, but we need to bring our collective power to the Capitol in February.


Registration includes access to NRHA’s Advocacy resources and a complementary one-year membership for first-time NRHA members.


Indigenous Faculty Forum

Feb 13–Feb 15

Portland, OR

Organizer: Association of American Indian Physicians


The Indigenous Faculty Forum (IFF) is open to Indigenous faculty at or affiliated with academic medical centers or schools. Attendees will participate in networking, engage in career development activities, and discuss unique cultural considerations for Indigenous faculty in academia.


We encourage you to share widely with Indigenous faculty in academic medicine!


ViVE 2025

Feb 16Feb 19

Nashville, TN

Organizer: ViVE


Join your industry colleagues at the only event where digital health execs go to do business. Leaders of the digital health tech world will convene in Nashville to attend ViVE, the go-to destination where digital healthcare execs get business done. ViVE focuses on effective networking, gaining market insights, and maximizing ROI for event participants.


TeleBehavioral Health 2025: Telehealth and TeleBehavioral/TeleMental Health Policy Update

Feb 21 @ 12 p.m.1 p.m.

Organizer: University of Washington Behavioral Health Institute


Our presenter will provide an overview and update on post-public health emergency policy impacting the provision of and reimbursement for telebehavioral health services.

March


TeleBehavioral Health 2025: Digital Behavioral Health Therapeutics—Is There an App for That, and Can AI Be Your Next Therapist?

Mar 21, 2025 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

Organizer: University of Washington Behavioral Health Institute


Digital apps are growing rapidly and gaining ground with FDA approval as digital therapeutics that can be prescribed to patients. But with thousands to choose from, how do we know which ones are worthwhile? And what do we know about AI’s potential to replace therapists?


Northwest Rural Health Conference

Mar 24–Mar 26

Spokane, WA

Organizer: Multiple Organizations


The Northwest Rural Health Conference brings together rural healthcare professionals and subject matter experts from the field to collaborate, educate, and brainstorm innovative ways to bring quality care to our rural communities. 


11th Annual International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health

Mar 28–Mar 30

Manitoba, Canada

Organizer: Association of American Indian Physicians


Information TBA.

Do You Provide Healthcare or Services via Telehealth? 

NRTRC's Find Telehealth is available to help patients and providers find

in-person and telehealth care along with locations to have telehealth visits.

Turn on the map's TAPs button to view sites. 


Click Here to Update Information on Your Practice

Click Here to Add a TAP

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Northwest Regional State Telehealth Website Links


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Telehealth Resources


Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center

This publication was made possible by grant number UiUTH42531-01 from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, Health Resources and Services Administration, DHHS