Dear Colleagues,
We hope you're doing well and enjoying the spring weather (Can you believe it's nearly May?!), we're here with another edition of Northeast Connections to help you prepare for a summer filled with telehealth opportunities and events!
To no one's surprise, the first quarter of 2022 continued the theme of healthcare transformation and telehealth implementation; as you've come to expect, the NETRC team has a plethora of telehealth updates to share with you this month. This edition aims to help you digest the multitudes of things happening across the telehealth landscape; including: Multiple NCTRC member Resources, Upcoming Webinars & Events for 2022, the official release of our NETRC2022 conference plans, and so much more!
Will you be at ATA in Boston, MA on May 1-3, 2022, or at NESHS in Westborough, MA on 5/5/22? If so, we'd love to see you there! Be sure to check out our ATA plans in the events section below, or contact a NETRC team member to learn 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 |
Open Funding Opportunities |
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Explore the Telehealth Universe with us at NETRC 2022! |
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The Northeast Telehealth Resource Center (NETRC) is pleased to invite you to participate in the 8th annual Northeast Regional Telehealth Conference to be held on September 29-30, 2022 in Southbridge Massachusetts!
This year's conference will be held at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center in Southbridge MA. With both in-person and virtual attendance options, the event will be available to meet your needs in any format, and will have the same fun & content packed agenda you've come to expect at a NETRC conference; 2 days packed full of information and use cases across the telehealth spectrum! The NETRC 2022 Conference Materials will be continually released as available, including:
- Industry Partner Sponsorship Opportunities,
- Full Event Agenda,
- and More!
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The NETRC 2022 Conference Speakers and other updates will be released throughout the spring and summer, but Early Bird Registration Rates are only here for a limited time! Register by Friday July 8th to save up to $75!
NEW in 2022: in addition to the virtual attendance options, All in-person registrations include a second, complimentary virtual ticket for a colleague!
In person pricing
Both September 29 & 30 $200
CME Accredited Pre-Conference Workshop:(September 29 Only) $40
Half-Day Conference (September 29 Only) $100
Full-Day Conference (September 30 Only) $150
Networking Reception (September 29) Included with conference registrations
Virtual Pricing
Both September 29 & 30 $100
CME Accredited Pre-Conference Workshop:(September 29 Only) Included in registration
Half-Day Conference (September 29 Only) $50
Full-Day Conference (September 30 Only) $75
Networking Reception (September 29) Included with conference registrations
Who should attend: Clinicians (CME available), C-Suite and Administrators, Telehealth Directors/Managers/Coordinators, Payers, Government Agencies, Policy Makers, Students, and anyone interested in learning, networking, and collaborating!
Questions about the conference? Email our conference coordinator Phonse Allen-Laney at aralaney@mcdph.org
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We invite you to submit a proposal to present a breakout session (one hour, scheduled on September 29th or 30th).
The proposal deadline is Friday, June 17th and Notifications will be made by Friday, July 1st.
Please note, this call is open to clinicians, faculty, and students from all disciplines; however, NETRC cannot accept applications from for-profit vendors. We encourage vendors to share this opportunity with customers and end-users, and are happy to discuss this.
Conference registration fees will be waived for one presenter. Travel and accommodations are not provided.
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Resources from around the NCTRC |
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TelehealthLocator Data Collection Now Live!
We are excited to share that the development of a new public facing tool, TelehealthLocator, is underway! TelehealthLocator will provide a single point of access to view and overlay gaps in access to care, broadband, and telehealth availability by service type. WIM Tracking, in collaboration with the TelehealthLocator TRCs, is working to determine what telehealth services are offered across a 24-state and 6 territory region, including the NETRC region.
We'd appreciate your assistance! Follow this link to complete an online form to identify the services your facility offers in-person and via telehealth. You will be updated when the information you provide is available in the tool.
Please contact a NETRC staffer or WIM Tracking directly with questions at the contact information below
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NEW CCHP Resources
CCHP'sTelehealth Policy Video Learning Series
Navigating the telehealth policy landscape can often times feel overwhelming and quite complicated. This is why CCHP created a series of short explainer videos to help provide the basics for those seeking to learn more. Currently with three video series (Telehealth policy 101 for true beginners, 201 for the novice who just wants to learn more, and 301 for the serious telehealth ninjas out there), this new tool is sure to help you better understand the policy landscape!
Billing for Telehealth Encounters – An Introductory Guide on Medicare Fee-For-Service
On March 25, 2022, CCHP released a new updated telehealth billing guide as a follow up to its 2021 billing guide to provide a helpful tool for healthcare entities trying to navigate the complexities of billing for telehealth and virtually delivered services.
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Open Funding Opportunities & Updates |
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Our colleagues at the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center recently published a list of funding opportunities across federal agencies, click here to view the list in it's entirety. |
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FCC/ USAC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program & Affordable Connectivity Program- Program Updates
In late 2021, Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a new long-term, $14 billion program, to replace the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB). This investment in broadband affordability will help ensure we can afford the connections we need for work, school, health care and more for a long time. In Late February, the White House and FCC announced that over 10 million households are now enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program. As a direct result of the collaborative outreach efforts we all have undertaken, we've helped over 10M households gain access to discounted broadband services through the nation’s largest ever broadband affordability program. New material designed to continue to aide partners in outreach to potential consumers is being continuously developed, visit the FCC Outreach Toolkit to access them all, here.
In Early March, Rural LISC developed a new mapping tool that maps the utilization of the original EBB program, click here to see the results. "The tool is designed to aid Digital Navigators and other partner organizations in identifying the communities that can benefit most from outreach and awareness efforts on broadband access."
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Open Telehealth Job Opportunities |
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The University of New Hampshire is hiring for a Director of Interprofessional Education and the Telehealth Practice Center!
This new position, reporting to the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, will engage in the academic mission of the College to strengthen the IPE curriculum and the growth of Telehealth Practice Center. Responsibilities include the integration of telepractice and e-health modalities in undergraduate and graduate education, service, and research for the health and human services disciplines across UNH. Ideal candidates will hold an advanced degree in a related field, exhibit an understanding of best practices around IPE in health and human services curricula, demonstrate clinical knowledge and understanding of the implementation of digital health technologies into service delivery, and have experience in the area(s) of sustainability planning and grant development and management.
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Upcoming Webinars and Events |
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We Hope to See You at ATA2022 Annual Conference & Expo
May 1-3, 2022 in Boston, MA
Telehealth is a more essential part of healthcare than ever before! To make sure that high quality telehealth services remain available to patients and providers, NETRC is a proud partner of ATA2022 – the American Telemedicine Association’s 26th Annual Conference & Expo – taking place May 1-3, 2022 in Boston, MA. The past few years have transformed healthcare in many ways, and it is essential for the U.S. to adopt the new innovations and solutions in telehealth we need. Leaders in healthcare and technology from around the world will be joining together at ATA2022 to plan the future direction of virtual care.
Come visit the NETRC team during ATA2022! We'll be at the NCTRC Exhibit Booth (#917) throughout the event, and we'll also be hosting a Friends of the NETRC Forum/Gathering in Room 161 on May 3rd, from 9a-11a! To download a calendar invite for our Meeting Time for outlook calendars click here and for google calendars- click here.
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NCTRC Webinar Series: Integrated Patient Portals and Improving the Virtual Experience
May 19, 2022- 2pm EST
Hosted by: California Telehealth Resource Center
Presented by:
Rob Kaye - Technical Program Manager for Digital Patient Engagement |OCHIN Inc.
Tyra Brown - Improvement Advisor | OCHIN Inc.
Allison Pierce - User-Centered Design Specialist |OCHIN Inc.
Patient portals offer secure and convenient connection between the patients and their healthcare providers. Studies have shown that portals increase patient engagement in their health, identifying unmet clinical needs, and reducing downstream health events. They also help in timely access for patients to their healthcare data such as test results and visit schedules, which improves communications between patients and providers. With the rise of video visits and the adoption of digital tools during the pandemic, there is an opportunity to re-focus on how to best use them. The webinar will discuss how health centers can leverage integrated patient portals for improving the virtual care experience.
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HRSA-HHS National Telehealth Conference
May 16-17, 2022
HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Telehealth.HHS.gov are pleased to host a National Telehealth Conference bringing together public and private sector leaders to discuss telehealth best practices and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the course of two days, experts in the field will examine the evolution of telehealth as part of the standard of care and the importance of its continued integration in an overall, integrated care delivery model. Participants will hear from HHS leadership and HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson, along with telehealth experts on a variety of hot topics, including:
- Achieving health equity through increased access and adoption of telehealth including the improvement of broadband connectivity,
- The role of telehealth as a tool to improve the quality of care for patients, especially those in and underserved communities,
- Tele-behavioral health as a model and example of the success of integrating telehealth during the pandemic and beyond,
- Sharing clinical telehealth best practices and lessons learned, and
- Identifying health policy implications for telehealth to inform the future of telehealth in an evolving health care environment.
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2022 Primary Care Conference- Primary Care Transformation: How to Recover and Move Forward
May 17, 2022: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm EST
The 2022 Primary Care Conference presenters will offer professional insight and expertise on the key drivers of success for primary care safety-net providers, including how to recover from the pandemic and move forward; address the complex 340B legal and compliance issues; understand the critical components of a strategic workforce recruitment plan for 2022 and beyond; and learn the value and purpose of conducting an Emergency After Action Report. Additional resources and time for Q & A time are included for every educational session.
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UNH Project ECHO® & MCD’s Collaborative
for Advancing Rural Excellence & Equity
(CARE2) SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER ECHO®:
STIGMA, BIAS, AND THE PRINCIPLES OF HARM REDUCTION
EVERY TUESDAY IN JUNE 12:00pm-1:00pm EST
Are you interested in learning more about harm reduction strategies for persons with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) living in rural areas during COVID-19? Join a learning community of medical, social, and community support providers during our new Substance Use Disorder ECHO®: Stigma, Bias, and the Principles of Harm Reduction, brought to you by UNH Project ECHO® and MCD's Collaborative for Advancing Rural Excellence & Equity (CARE2).
Participants will attend weekly meetings via Zoom every Tuesday in June (June 7, 14, 21, & 28) to discuss interdisciplinary topics including syringe harm reduction, deaths of despair and overdose, and the roles of trauma, stigma, and bias. Priority will be given to rural sites in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and North Country New York. To sign up: Click here
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Featured Telehealth News
A larger news compilation can be found on the NETRC site here.
Telehealth Policy is More Than Just Laws – Best Practice Guidelines & Guidances
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the influx of providers new to utilizing telehealth to deliver services not only sparked an increase in demands for individualized technical assistance but also for best practice guidelines. Prior to the pandemic, best practice guidelines for the most part were created by professional organizations/societies or individual institutions to be used solely by their organizations.
AMERICAN TELEMEDICINE ASSOCIATION TOUTS THE NEXT PHASE OF VIRTUAL CARE
Healthleaders April 26, 2022 Link
ATA2022, taking place next week in Boston, will give the organization an opportunity to plan the evolution of telehealth beyond the pandemic, and to talk about bringing virtual care to an 'inspirational level.'
AMA survey: Majority of physicians say telehealth enables more comprehensive quality care
HealthcareITNews April 25, 2022 Link
Most respondents, however, point to the digital divide as the biggest obstacle to accessing virtual services.
With telehealth, Behavioral Nutrition sees many more patients
HealthcareITNews April 25, 2022 Link
While patients might have traveled from 45 minutes away before telehealth services were available, now the organization is seeing people who live an hour and a half drive away.
How a single COVID-19 telehealth grant will help one provider for years to come
HealthcareITNews April 25, 2022 Link
Burrell Behavioral Health's CIO tells the organization's story of telemedicine expansion spurred by the pandemic – and fueled by patient and clinician desire.
Managing provider licensure amid expanding telehealth
HEALTHCAREDIVE April 25, 2022 Link
If there’s one thing the healthcare industry has learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the widespread appetite for virtual care and the opportunity for expanded telehealth services across the healthcare continuum.
Massive pandemic pivot to telehealth tallied in Fair Health report
HEALTHCAREDIVE April 25, 2022 Link
Telehealth usage expanded by more than 7,000% across the U.S. in 2020, compared to the year before, according to nonprofit Fair Health’s fifth annual healthcare indicators report. The newly released report, culled from a database of 36 billion private insurance claims, documents the tremendous scale up of virtual care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when hospital services were limited or patients avoided in-person visits to decrease their risk of infection.
WELL Health, OSIS bring communications tech to community health centers
HealthcareITNews April 21, 2022 Link
WELL's platform aims to facilitate conversations among patients and providers via secure texting, email or phone messaging.
Northwell to expand virtual care offerings through Teladoc partnership
HealthcareITNews April 21, 2022 Link
The companies say the platform will allow patients at New York's largest healthcare provider to access a broad spectrum of clinical services.
Loyola Medicine Adds American Sign Language Feature for Telehealth
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 20, 2022 Link
The health system implemented the new feature with the aim of expanding telehealth access to deaf and hard-of-hearing patients.
Rural Providers to Use USDA Grants to Boost Telehealth Capabilities
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 19, 2022 Link
USDA is providing $43 million in new funds to rural healthcare providers, many of whom have earmarked the funds to implement and support telehealth services.
Geisinger's journey to greatly expanded telehealth
HealthcareITNews April 19, 2022 Link
The prolific health system is now able to offer telemedicine appointments to patients for primary care, urgent care and more than 70 specialties. More than 8% of total outpatient visits now are conducted virtually.
Audio Only Telehealth Policy
Audio-only has become one of the most discussed telehealth policy issues over the course of the pandemic. Its utilization, quality, and overall importance to access to care continue to be of focus in some of the latest telehealth surveys and studies. The American Medical Association (AMA) released their 2021 Telehealth Survey Report at the end of March, showcasing that more than two-thirds of providers utilizing telehealth use audio-only in particular.
Genetics, Behavioral Health Pediatric Subspecialists Use Telehealth Most
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 18, 2022 Link
A recent study showed that pediatric telehealth use among different subspecialties was inconsistent, indicating variation in patient needs.
Five recommendations for improving clinical communication
HealthcareITNews April 18, 2022 Link
Real-time, contextual communication improves patient outcomes, care team collaboration and the clinician experience.
UT Health San Antonio to Expand Access to Substance Use Disorder Support App
mHEALTHINTELLIGENCE April 18, 2022 Link
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is expanding the availability of the WEconnect Recovery app to people in Texas suffering from substance use disorders.
At Baptist Health, Epic-linked asynchronous telehealth boosts provider and patient experience
HealthcareITNews April 18, 2022 Link
The health system has kept the time for patients to get their diagnosis, treatment plan and any prescriptions from their provider through the telemedicine system to less than 25 minutes on average.
Opioid Crisis: Money, Telehealth Addiction Treatment with Suboxone Telemedicine & Tele-MAT
Telehealth.org April 18, 2022 Link
The addiction rehabilitation industry has grown substantially in response to the opioid crisis, responsible for over 100,000 deaths in 2021. Among US veterans diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD), estimates were 69,132 in 2017. Since the COVID pandemic, telehealth technology has been used to bridge that gap nationwide by patients and clients to consult with prescribers for suboxone telemedicine and buprenorphine telemedicine.
Telehealth Telepresence
Telehealth.org April 18, 2022 Link
To maximize the effectiveness of your telehealth telepresence in sessions with clients or patients, replicate an in-person clinical encounter as closely as possible. Issues can be separated into two categories: maximizing telepresence workflows and maximizing appearance, popularly known as the “Zoom look.”
PHE Renewal & Telehealth Reimbursement
Telehealth.org April 17, 2022 Link
Renewal of Determination That A Public Health Emergency Exists. This action has solidified the forward movement toward telehealth reimbursement, other telehealth funding for rural areas, and the MedPAC report for further telehealth reimbursement, including the 99441 CPT code reimbursement for audio-only telehealth.
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Recommended Telehealth Research/Resources
Check out the complete Telehealth Library Database on the NETRC site here.
Billing for Telehealth Encounters: An Introductory Guide on Medicare Fee-For-Service
Center for Connected Health Policy, 2022. Link
Addressing Virtual Care Disparities for Patients with Limited English Proficiency Digital Inclusion as Health Care- Supporting Health Care Equity with Digital Infrastructure Initiatives
Rodriguez, J.A., Shachar, C., Bates, D.W., 2022. Link
AMA 2021 Telehealth Survey Report
American Medical Association, 2022. Link
Consumer Experience Trends in Healthcare 2021
Addressing Virtual Care Disparities for Patients with Limited English Proficiency
Tan-McGrory, A. Schwamm, L., et. al. 2022. Link
Remote Monitoring of Patient- and Family-Generated Health Data in Pediatrics
Foster, C., Schinasi, D, et. al. 2022. Link
Strategic Investments in Telehealth and Digital Tools for Health Centers, National Association of Community Health Centers & Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center. 2021. Link
State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit: Policy Considerations for States Expanding Use of Telehealth Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 2021. Link
Telehealth for opioid use disorder treatment in low-barrier clinic settings: an exploration of clinician and staff perspectives Shoshana V. Aronowitz, Eden Engel-Rebitzer, Abby Dolan,Kehinde Okeykanmi, et. al, 2021.
Harm Reduction Journal Link
Consumer Engagement in Health Care 2021 Survey Results Employee Benefit Research Institute. 2021. Link
Telephone vs. Video Visits During COVID-19: Safety-Net Provider Perspectives
,Ji Eun Chang, Zoe Lindenfeld, Stephanie L. Albert, Rachel Massar, Donna Shelley, Lorraine Kwok, Kayla Fennelly and Carolyn A. Berry 2021. JABFM Link
Changes in Virtual an In-Person Health Care Utilization in a Large Health System During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Telemedicine: Ensuring Safe, Equitable, Person-Centered Virtual Care- Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), 2021 Link
NETRC Regional Telehealth Legislation and Regulation Tracker- Center for Connected Health Policy, 2021 Link
University of New Hampshire TelePractice Center (TPC) TelePractice Training Videos- UNH TPC 2021 Link
FQHC Telehealth Playbook- MA FQHC Telehealth Consortium; 2021 Link
Rapid Transition to Telehealth and the Digital Divide: Implications for Primary Care Access and Equity in a Post-COVID Era .Ji E. Chang PhD, MS, Alden Y. Lai, Avni Gupta, Ann Nguyen, Arolyn Berry, Donna Shelley 2021 Link
Addressing Inequities in Older Adults’ Health: A Role for Emerging Technologies
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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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