Dear Colleagues,
We hope you've had a great start to spring, and are enjoying the increased sunshine and return of warmer weather!
We're back with another edition of Northeast Connections to help you prepare for a summer filled with telehealth opportunities and events, and beyond! As you've come to expect, the NETRC team has what you need to catch up, and lots of telehealth updates to share with you this month! T his edition aims to help you digest the multitudes of things happening across the telehealth landscape; including: more exciting announcements about NETRC2024, NCTRC member Resources, Upcoming Webinars & Events for 2024, & so much more!
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with your telehealth questions, success stories, or just to say hello; we hope to hear from you!
On behalf of the entire NETRC Team – Be Well,
Reid Plimpton, MPH - Project Manager
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Upcoming Webinars & Events |
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NETRC 2024 Conference Updates! |
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The upcoming event on September 16th through September 18th will mark NETRC's 10th Annual Regional Telehealth Conference, and we're excited to celebrate the milestone with you! Stakeholders from across the seven-state NETRC region (New England & New York) and beyond will share telehealth best practice and innovation, network with colleagues, and identify opportunities to advance telehealth.
Our 2023 conference brought over 175 healthcare providers, administrators, payers, policy leaders, and industry partners from across the region to Nashua, New Hampshire. This year, we’re returning to Nashua, at a new location. With a number of recent policy developments on both the national and regional level, along with many new programs to highlight throughout the Northeast, we are confident that the 2024 event will be our best conference yet!
The event will follow the social distancing protocols necessary, but will have the same fun & content packed agenda you've come to expect at a NETRC conference: 2.5 days of in person sessions, covering a broad spectrum of topics for a diverse audience, with a focus on highlighting regional programs providing practical strategies and resources for successful and sustainable implementation!
Please see below for Event & Registration Details, our Call for Abstracts, agenda teasers, and opportunities to become an Exhibitor or Industry Partner!
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Early Bird Special Pricing
expires 7/1/2024
Full Registration $200*
September 17th only $150 (full day)
September 18th only $75 (half-day)
September 16th Pre Conference Workshops $40
*Full registration includes September 17-18th sessions, and networking reception.
September 17 Networking Reception included with all tickets
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Venue
The Courtyard by Marriott Nashua welcomes you to southern New Hampshire with beautiful, modern accommodations, and fantastic amenities. Relax and unwind in one of our 239 guest rooms and suites, offering free Wi-Fi, well-lit desks, and deluxe bedding. Start your day at The Bistro, our hotel restaurant, with Starbucks® coffee and a delicious breakfast, or enjoy a full bar and a dinner menu with tableside service in the evening. Additional amenities for your southern New Hampshire-area visit include a fitness center and a newly renovated indoor pool. Located adjacent to the hotel, the Event Center Nashua. Discover a truly refreshing experience here at the Courtyard Nashua. Our hotel is conveniently located near local attractions like Anheuser Busch, Merrimack Premium Outlets and Labelle Winery.
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Call for Abstracts- Deadline EXTENDED! |
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The NETRC Team is excited to announce that we will be hosting our 10th Annual Conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Nashua, NH from Monday, September 16 through Wednesday, September 18.
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Nominate a Colleague for the Michael Edwards Award |
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The Michael Edwards Memorial Award for Advancing Telehealth in the Northeast is presented annually to an individual or organization in the Northeast Region (New England and New York) that has been a part of innovative and impactful efforts to increase telehealth utilization. Extra consideration is given towards applicants working within telehealth avenues that were near and dear to our colleague Michael Edwards, including:
- Community Health Center/Federally Qualified Health Center/ Rural Health Center Based
- Skilled Nursing Facility Based
- Focused in Rural Areas
- Telehealth Research or Innovation
- Population Health
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Exhibitor Opportunities Now Available! |
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The Annual NETRC Conference would not be the same without our valued Industry Partners & Exhibitors, and we're beyond grateful for their continued support over the years! As the conference planning continues, the NETRC Team is excited to see who will join us to be a part of NETRC24, and we'd like to express a big thanks to our current Industry Partners for their participation, and can't wait to see these folks in September!
Don't miss out on your chance to join our event, there's still plenty of space available in the Event Exhibit Hall, and we'd love to see you there!
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National Resources: News & Events from the NCTRC |
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We're thrilled to be a partner of the upcoming #ATANexus event this May 5-7,2024 for a convergence of ideas and innovation in virtual healthcare. Join us for an opportunity to network & learn from the best.
Use promo code NETRC for $300 off a full registration
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Leveraging Telehealth to Bridge the Digital Divide
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CMS Updates FQHC, RHC and Mental Health MLN Booklets
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A recent article in mHealth Intelligence highlights how telehealth as part of a community-based approach can overcome the digital divide and improve access to care. While ensuring access to telehealth at home is ideal, for communities without access to quality and affordable broadband, digital devices, or digital literacy issues, community-based telehealth initiatives seek to instead meet individuals in their communities to address their technology needs. Community-based approaches include creating telehealth access points in common community spaces, providing devices to those that need them, as well as integrating digital navigators and digital navigation training into overall health care delivery systems.
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ICYMI: Recent Resources and Reports |
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NCTRC Annual Report is now available!
The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC) 2023 Annual Report is now available! Through significant expertise and partnerships with stakeholders, the NCTRC rose to the challenge of helping the nation advance telehealth in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. As there continues to be increased interest in the field of telehealth, the TRCs remain committed to providing vital technical assistance, training and resources to the nation’s healthcare system and citizens. For more information, read the full report.
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The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Presents: New Telehealth Resources for Health Centers
NACHC is excited to collaborate with National Health Center Telehealth Resource Center (TRC) to pilot a project intended to provide technical assistance (TA) to health centers who are determining how and if they will sustain telehealth operations and virtual modalities coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and Public Health Emergency designation (PHE). Find out more about this joint project below.
TA products available:
3. Direct Telehealth Billing Technical Assistance/Triage –Targeted TA for FQHC telehealth billing questions now has a dedicated consultative service available triaged by the Center for Connected Health Policy,
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USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant
Posted Date:Feb 29, 2024
Current Closing Date for Applications: April 29, 2024
Estimated Total Program Funding:$ 5,000,000
Award Ceiling: Awards range from $50,000 to $1 million
The program helps rural communities acquire and use advanced telecommunications technology for distance learning and telehealth services. The grants fund audio and video equipment, broadband facilities, and computer hardware, network components, and software.
The program is open to eligible organizations providing education or healthcare in rural communities with populations of 20,000 or fewer. The organizations eligible include state and local governments, federally recognized tribes, nonprofits, and incorporated for-profit businesses.
To learn more and apply go here
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Upcoming Webinars and Events |
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Join Project ECHO: Aging, Community, and Equity to learn about the impact of the pandemic on the mental and physical well-being of older adults living in rural communities and share potential solutions. There is no cost to participate. Please see the flyer for additional information.
Intended audience:
- Medical, behavioral, and social service providers
- Nursing facility, home health, home care, and hospice
- Transportation and other community-based organizations
- Any other individuals or groups across the long-term care continuum
Time: Every other Wednesday from 12:30pm-1:30pm EST (February 14 – May 8, 2024)
The project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $475,000 annually with 100% funded by HRSA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA/HHS or the U.S. Government.
This project is funded by HRSA and is brought to you by CARE2, a collaboration between Medical Care Development and University of New Hampshire Institute for Health Policy and Practice.
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AHRQ Safety Program for Telemedicine: Improving Antibiotic Use
Two million infections per year are caused by antibiotic resistant organisms, leading to 35,000 deaths per year in the United States. Meanwhile, one-third of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions and half of the prescriptions for acute respiratory infections are unnecessary. Learn how to improve patient safety and reduce harm associated with antibiotics in a free 18-month AHRQ program that starts in June 2024.
We’re recruiting clinics and providers that want to improve antibiotic prescribing.
Benefits of Participating:
- Improve efficiency and patient satisfaction with antibiotic prescribing, using approaches such as scripting for live and patient portal interactions.
- Perform better on antibiotic-related quality measures (e.g., Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set [HEDIS], Merit-based Incentive Payment System [MIPS], and The Joint Commission Antimicrobial Stewardship standards).
- Receive continuing education credits (CEUs), continuing medical education credits (CMEs), and American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification (MOC) points through live and/or self-paced materials.
Virtual Program Includes: Monthly 20-minute webinars and office hours to learn best practices in the treatment of common outpatient infectious concerns through live interactions with infectious diseases experts.
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The 2024 North Country Leadership Summit October 9-10, in Lake Placid NY is a collaboration between Adirondack Health Institute (AHI) and the North Country Telehealth Partnership, a joint effort between AHI and Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO).
The Call for Abstracts is now open, through 6/14/24 click here
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Featured Telehealth News
A larger news compilation can be found on the NETRC site here.
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Clinicians, staff highlight strategies to enhance virtual diabetes care
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 25, 2024 Link
Interviews with clinicians and staff involved in virtual specialty diabetes care revealed a need for improvements in workflows, staff support, and data collection.
FDA launches initiative to advance home healthcare models, devices
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 24, 2024 Link
The agency’s new Home as a Health Care Hub aims to help technology developers and providers consider new designs for at-home care devices and models.
Joint Commission intros new Telehealth Accreditation Program
HealthcareITNews April 25, 2024 Link
The goal is to help ensure patient safety in telemedicine, and to help healthcare organizations standardize approaches to virtual care with an eye toward quality improvement and patient outcomes that are "consistent with traditional settings."
Telehealth use led to modest care improvements, spending increases
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 22, 2024 Link
Higher telehealth use was linked to more outpatient visits, fewer ED visits, and better medication adherence, but also more healthcare spending, new research shows.
The Impact Of Telemedicine On Medicare Utilization, Spending, And Quality, 2019–22
Health Affairs April 17, 2024 Link
Telemedicine use remains substantially higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, although it has fallen from pandemics. To inform the ongoing debate about whether to continue payment for telemedicine visits, we estimated the association of greater telemedicine use across health systems with utilization, spending, and quality. In 2020, Medicare patients receiving care at health systems in the highest quartile of telemedicine use had 2.5 telemedicine visits per person(26.8 percent of visits) compared with 0.7 telemedicine visits per person(9.5 percent of visits) in the lowest quartile of telemedicine use. In 2021–22, relative to those in the lowest quartile, Medicare patients of health systems in the highest quartile had an increase of 0.21 total outpatient visits (telemedicine and in-person) per patient per year (2.2 percent relative increase), a decrease of 14.4 annual non-COVID-19 emergency department visits per 1,000 patients per year (2.7 percent relative decrease), a $248 increase in per patient per year spending (1.6 percent relative increase), and increased adherence for metformin and statins. There were no clear differential changes in hospitalizations or receipt of preventive care.
Trends in telehealth: Expanding the role of nurses in virtual care
HEALTHCAREDIVE April 22, 2024 Link
Nursing has quickly become one of the hottest areas for virtual care delivery, and nurses are eager and willing to work in these settings. Many healthcare facilities are finding new use cases for telehealth nursing that are both cost-effective and efficient. While it’s true that incorporating nurses into virtual care has its challenges, they are well worth tackling — both for the benefit of the patient and provider alike.
New codes from the AMA could mean more RPM reimbursement by 2025
HealthcareITNews April 22, 2024 Link
If the CPT Editorial Panel approves new changes and Medicare and private payers follow suit, providers that expand their remote patient monitoring programs to fit the new codes will gain the most benefits for their patients and clinics.
Text-based virtual care program did not improve post-discharge outcomes
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 19, 2024 Link
Automated text message-based check-ins with patients after hospital discharge did not reduce the rate of ED visits or readmissions, a new study shows.
Audio-only telehealth boosts heart failure care for Native Americans
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 19, 2024 Link
Audio-only telehealth enabled the remote initiation of guideline-directed drugs for heart failure among Americans in the rural Navajo Nation, research shows.
Mental health conditions remain top telehealth diagnosis nationwide
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 16, 2024 Link
FAIR Health data shows that mental health conditions topped the telehealth diagnosis list in January, accounting for 66.3 percent of telehealth claim lines.
An update on NEW JERSEY TELEMEDICINE LICENSURE COURT CASE
In the January 23, 2024 edition of CCHP’s In Focus, we reported on a lawsuit filed late last year in the US District Court for New Jersey.
AHIP, AMA, NAACOS Release Playbook for Value-Based Care
MedCityNews April 16, 2024 Link
AHIP, the AMA and NAACOS released a playbook last week that provides the best practices for value-based care. It is based on experiences from physicians, value-based care entities and payers.
VR therapy mitigates pain for hospitalized cancer patients
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 16, 2024 Link
New research reveals that an immersive VR experience reduced cancer-related pain more significantly than a two-dimensional experience provided via a tablet.
Why We Must Support Telehealth – It Is Vital In Rural Areas
Forbes April 15, 2024 Link
Federal lawmakers face a year-end deadline to solidify, or scuttle, an array of covid-era payment changes for telehealth services that include allowing people to stay in their homes to see a doctor or therapist.
How virtual primary care can amplify value for providers and patients
HealthcareITNews April 15, 2024 Link
This form of telemedicine can provide high-touch care coordination for preventive care, chronic condition management and mental health services, and bring cost savings from lower out-of-pocket expenses and avoiding unnecessary care, one expert says.
Lawmakers weigh permanent telehealth changes as deadline looms
FIERCEHealthcare April 11, 2024 Link
A major House subcommittee is considering 15 bills to expand access to telehealth services as the clock ticks on a Dec. 31 deadline on pandemic-era flexibilities.
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Recommended Telehealth Research/Resources
Check out the complete Telehealth Library Database on the NETRC site here.
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Aurrera Health Group and Coral Health Advisors Link
50-state scan of Medicaid payment for community health workers
Connecticut Health Foundation Link
Alternative Sites for Health Care
Institute for HealthCare Policy and Innovation Link
CHW Reimbursement by State
UMass Chan Medical School-For Health Consulting Link
Using digital navigators to get telehealth care
How do I use telehealth for behavioral health care
Availability of Mental Telehealth Services in the US
Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit
Health equity in telehealth
Telehealth.HHS.gov 2024 Link
Unmet Need Score Map Tool
Preparing mental health providers for the future: the case for moving beyond the elective telehealth course to integrating telehealth training throughout the curriculum
Kathy Wibberly 2024 frontiers Link
Patient Satisfaction With Telemedicine Among Vulnerable Populations in an Urban Ambulatory Setting
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Summary: CY 2024
Brief History of Telehealth and Telemedicine-
Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center; 2023 Link
Rural-Urban Disparities in video telehealth use during rapid mental health care virtualization among American Indian/ Alaska Native
Kusters IS, Amspoker AB, Frosio K, et al; 2023 Link
Telehealth Privacy Tips for Patients
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration ; 2023 Link
Patient Satisfaction with Telehealth at an Academic Medical Center Primary Care Clinic
Verma H, Hasegawa D, Tepper DL, Burger AP, Weissman MA.; 2023 Link
CMS Resource: Maximizing Access to Affordable, High-Quality Health Care Coverage Preparing for Launch: Early Lessons Learned from Health Centers on Selecting New Technology and Tools for Virtual Care
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services; 2023 Link
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The Northeast Telehealth Resource Center has been made possible by grant numbers G22RH30352 and 1 U1UTH42523‐01‐00 from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth: HRSA / DHHS. |
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