Greetings Northwest Region:

September marks both the start of a new grant year and Telehealth Awareness Week. As one of only 14 federally funded telehealth resource centers in the nation, NRTRC is deeply grateful for the meaningful connections and new partnerships we've built over the past twenty years. We look forward to continuing to support your telehealth and digital health technical assistance needs in the year ahead.

Telehealth News

Join NRTRC at AnchorNets!

NRTRC Director Nicki Perisho is excited to speak at #AnchorNets2026! With colleagues Josh Seidman, PhD, Chief External Impact Officer at Fountain House, and Kathy Wibberly, PhD, Director of the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center, she’ll be discussing “Telehealth Access Points: Activating Community Infrastructure for Last-Mile Care.” 


The event will be held October 7–9 in Arlington, VA. Register here using the promo code CODE10 for a discount. Student pricing available.

Medicare Billing Change for RHCs and FQHCs: Billing Distant Site Telehealth Services Starts October 1, 2026

Starting October 1, the payment rate for telehealth services furnished by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) for calendar year 2026 is $97.53. 


Also, beginning October 1, providers should ensure that billing staff members know that RHCs and FQHCs must bill the individual CPT or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code for distant-site telehealth services they provide, rather than HCPCS code G2025.


Additionally, FQHCs and RHCs will be required to report modifier 93 for audio-only services and modifier 95 for audio-visual telehealth. The change is expected to improve telehealth data accuracy, support value-based care reporting, and provide better insight into how telehealth services are being used—though reimbursement challenges remain. Read the CMS guidance here.

VA Reduces Barriers to Care by Providing Evidence-Based Suicide Prevention Treatment Via Telehealth

The VA’s nationwide Suicide Prevention Telehealth Program connects veterans with specially trained therapists following a suicide attempt, reducing barriers such as distance, travel costs, and scheduling. Through evidence-based virtual treatment, veterans can strengthen coping and problem-solving skills while receiving critical support from home. Read more here.

Check Out this Helpful Explainer for Medicare Providers who Provide Services from Home

Our partners at the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) have provided this helpful explanation on Medicare enrollment when the provider is located at home while providing services. CMS has made permanent the policy that allows a practitioner who furnishes Medicare telehealth services from home, but also has a physical practice location, to enroll and bill from the physical practice location as though the service were furnished there in person. In that situation, the practitioner generally does not need to report the home address on the Medicare enrollment application. Different rules apply when the practitioner or group operates virtually and has no other physical practice location, and teleradiology is subject to separate enrollment rules.

Licensing Requirements Across State Lines: You Must Be Licensed In the State Where the Patient Lives

PR Newswire featured a helpful item from Promise, a telehealth provider in Scottsdale, AZ, that explains licensing requirements for telehealth providers. Drawing on data from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP), the analysis lays out the governing rule, the compact system built to scale it nationally, and what patients should verify before starting a telehealth visit. You can also find information on this topic at telehealth.HHS.gov. 

Regional News

Do you know an individual or organization in Utah making extraordinary contributions to telehealth? Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Deborah LaMarche Telehealth Excellence Award! Established in 2020, this annual award honors Deborah LaMarche for her nearly 25 years of dedicated service advancing telehealth programs across Utah and nationwide.


The award recognizes a Utah-based individual or organization demonstrating excellence and impactful work in areas such as:

  • Policy development
  • Innovative programs and activities
  • Technology advancements
  • Patient and/or provider support
  • Education and training initiatives


Submit your nomination by completing the nomination form.

 

Important dates:

  • Nomination deadline: October 5, 2026, at 5:00 pm MDT 
  • Recipient announcement & award ceremony: November 2026, at the Rural Health Association of Utah’s 2026 Conference 

 

If you have any questions about the nomination process, contact info@utn.org 

Join the Weekly Didactic for the University of Washington’s (UW) TelePain Program

UW’s TelePain is a free Zoom-based weekly series offering pain education and consultation for community providers. Brief expert presentations and case discussions with an interprofessional specialist panel build knowledge and confidence in managing complex chronic pain. 


Sessions are held every Wednesday, alternating between Didactics with Case Discussion (11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. PT / 12:30–2:30 p.m. MT), and Office Hours (12–1 p.m. PT / 1–2 p.m. MT). 


The session agenda and weekly schedule can be found on the UW TelePain website. Providers can earn CME/CNE by attending live sessions or by viewing past didactics in the UW TelePain Recorded Didactics Library. 


UW TelePain Series Live/Enduring Sessions (OT2606)

Credit Offered: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™; Nursing Contact Hours; Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit. Full accreditation information can be found at: https://bit.ly/telepain.

Apply Now! September 28 Is the Application Deadline for the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network (NTEN) Digital Inclusion Fellowship

The Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network (NTEN) helps individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector access transformative technology that can help them execute their missions. The Digital Inclusion Fellowship is a year-long program for staff at nonprofits and social service agencies who want to launch or expand a digital literacy program within their organizations. It's built for people who are already embedded in their communities and just need the training, structure, and support to do it well.

Events to Bookmark

September


Telehealth Awareness Week

September 20–September 26

Organizer: American Telemedicine Association



Telehealth Awareness Week is a national, virtual campaign organized by the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) to highlight how telehealth is transforming care delivery across settings and specialties

Throughout the week, healthcare leaders will share real-world insights, proven best practices, and practical strategies for integrating virtual care into everyday clinical workflows. Programming will also feature educational resources designed to support organizations at every stage of digital health adoption.

Join us in advancing modern, patient-centered care and highlighting the clinicians and innovators making connected care a reality.


COE Webinar Series: Evaluation of School-based Tele-Behavioral Health Programs

September 23 @ 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Organizer: University of Mississippi Medical Center


UMMC is thrilled to share the lineup of webinars coming your way this grant year! Both COEs will be hosting a variety of sessions that highlight the incredible work and dedication of our teams.


Community Connectors Fall Summit 2026

September 29

Organizer: Utah Community Health Worker Association



The Community Connectors Collaborative Summit is an immersive, all-day event offering educational sessions and access to community resources. Its goal is to strengthen knowledge around social determinants of health (SDOH) while creating space for attendees to connect, collaborate and build lasting community partnerships.


Telehealth Roundup: USAC Rural Health Care (RHC) Funding Potential

September 29 @ 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Organizer: South Central Telehealth Resource Center


Did you know that the USAC RHC Program provides a 65% reimbursement on eligible broadband connectivity expenses for eligible health care providers (HCPs)? Join us on Tuesday, September 29th at 12:00PM CST and learn more about the Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC) Rural Health Care (RHC) Funding Potential. Subject Matter Experts Michael Wallace, MBA, Assistant Director and Martin Maize, Senior Project Manager of UAMS e-Link, will lead us in an in-depth discussion about the FCC Universal Service Fund and the Rural Healthcare (RHC) Program. You don't want to miss this!


NCTRC Webinar - Leveraging Telehealth and Mobile Integrated Health for Access to Renal Transplantation in Rural West Texas

September 29 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

Organizer: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers



How can telehealth and mobile integrated health expand access to renal transplantation for rural communities? Join the TexLa Telehealth Resource Center (TexLa TRC) for an upcoming webinar exploring the barriers to renal transplantation in rural populations and innovative approaches to overcoming them.


October


Digital Inclusion Week
October 4
–7

Organizer: National Digital Inclusion Alliance



Join us for Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), an annual nationwide event dedicated to raising awareness about digital equity and the vital importance of inclusion in our increasingly digital world. This week-long event showcases the collective efforts to bridge the digital divide and highlights the impactful work being done to ensure everyone has access to technology and the internet.


SHLB Anchornets
October 7
–9

Organizer: Schools Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition



AnchorNets is the SHLB Coalition’s annual conference, bringing together broadband leaders from across the country—including policymakers, industry experts, and representatives from schools, libraries, health centers, and other anchor institutions. The event features dynamic keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities focused on expanding affordable, high-quality broadband for community anchors and the people they serve.


CHAMPS Annual Primary Care Conference
October 24
–27

Organizer: Community Health Association of Mountain/Plains States



The 2026 CHAMPS/NWRPCA Annual Primary Care Conference will take place from October 24-27, 2026, in Salt Lake City, UT, and addresses the needs of Region 18 (Regions VIII and X) community health center staff and board members. The conference includes numerous networking events, engaging educational sessions, prominent keynote speakers, and exhibiting/sponsorship opportunities. More information will be available throughout the summer, so check back often for updates.


WyTN AI Webinar: AI in Administration and Billing

October 28 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

Organizer: Wyoming Telehealth Network



This webinar will go over how to integrate AI into your administrative and billing processes.


November


RHAU Annual Conference
November 4
–5

Organizer: Rural Health Association of Utah



The Annual Rural Health Association of Utah Conference is Utah’s premier gathering dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of those who live and work in rural communities across the state. Join healthcare leaders, providers, policymakers, and community advocates for two days of inspiring conversations, meaningful networking, and collaborative learning focused on strengthening rural healthcare in Utah. Together, we can elevate our collective voice and champion innovative solutions that support healthier rural communities.


Do You Provide Healthcare or Services via Telehealth? 

NRTRC’s Find Telehealth helps patients and providers find in-person care, telehealth care, and locations to have telehealth visits. Turn on the map’s Telehealth Access Points (TAPs) button to view sites. 


Click Here to Update Information on Your Practice

Click Here to Add a TAP

Northwest State Telehealth Networks

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Telehealth Resources


Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center

This publication was made possible by grant number UiUTH42531-04 from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, Health Resources and Services Administration, DHHS