Dear Colleagues,
We hope this finds you well! Can you believe we're already into May? The spring of 2021 has continued to be as fast paced and packed with telehealth opportunities, as 2020; as usual, this edition of Northeast Connections aims to help you digest it all!
This newsletter contains a litany of new resources from NETRC and other TRCs, along with a variety of open federal funding opportunities, a reminder to submit your abstract proposal for NETRC's 2021 Conference this fall, and so much more!
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with your telehealth questions or success stories, or just to say hello!
On behalf of the entire NETRC Team – Be well,
Reid Plimpton, MPH - Project Manager
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Annual Conference Updates |
Federal Policy and Guidance Updates |
Open Funding Opportunities |
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Conference Registration, Sponsor Opportunities, and more, coming soon!
The NETRC 2021 Conference Materials will be released throughout May, and we anticipate Attendee Registrations, and Sponsor Details going "live" within the next 2 weeks! 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 days full of information and use cases across the telehealth spectrum.
Additionally, we're thrilled to announce that our 2021 event will include a "Industry Partner Pre-Conference Showcase" featuring participating Sponsors and Telehealth Industry Partners alongside the Pre-Conference Workshop event on the Morning of Day 1.
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Call for Abstracts!
We invite you to submit a proposal to present a breakout session (one hour, scheduled on September 23rd or 24th).
The proposal deadline is Friday, June 25th and Notifications will be made by Friday, July 9th.
Presentations will be selected to create an agenda 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. We'll also be looking for presentations which focus on the impact of telehealth from various perspectives, including patients, providers, health systems and more. Do you have innovations and outcomes to share from your organization's telehealth experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic Response? Send in your story!
Please note: NETRC is not able to accept proposals from representatives of for-profit companies. We encourage you to share this opportunity with customers and end-users. Travel and accommodations are not provided.
Questions about NETRC 2021? Please contact Phonse Allen-Laney at
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How Americans Feel about Telehealth: One Year Later
In March 2020 and 2021 Sykes International polled 2,000 adults to discover their perspectives on and experience with telehealth - how have opinions changed one year into the COVID-19 pandemic? to read more Click here
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NEW NETRC Regional Telehealth Success Stories |
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The NETRC Provides Telemedicine Expertise in the University of New England's Virtual Expansion! Featuring the Tele- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Tele-SANE) Program
The University of New England (UNE) School of Nursing and Population Health partnered with the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center (NETRC) to expand their Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program, to include a virtual consultative application, called TeleSANE.
In 2018 the UNE School of Nursing was awarded a $1.5 million dollar HRSA work force development grant to expand recruitment and retention of credentialed SANE’s across Maine. The UNE SANE Program is a collaborative effort with the State of Maine’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program. Together staff created a hybrid, virtual course to better meet the education and training needs of rural nurses. The didactic course covers care and treatment of the patient, chain of custody, forensic photography, evidence collection, among many topics. Following the 40-hour course, the SANE-in-Training is then required to conduct two precepted (monitored by a credentialled SANE) patient encounters within one year of completing the didactic component. While live simulation exam training opportunities are available, many nurses are not able to complete this particular credentialing requirement, often due to the lack of time or availability of a SANE to precept the exam, and these issues were significantly exacerbated during COVID-19. To help address this challenge, UNE program leaders reached out to NETRC for assistance.
The goal of the UNE SANE project is to eventually offer 24/7 coverage in every emergency department across the state. All of the materials developed for this initial project were created with replication in mind, so they may be integrated into each individual hospital when the time is right.The first consult was successfully conducted in early February, which was the first TeleSANE consult in the state of Maine.
Click here to continue reading this Success Story, and here to find all recently posted stories!
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Save the Date: On 5/12, Join @HRSA.gov For a
Women's Health Twitter Chat!
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May is here, and so is Women’s Health Week! Join HRSA for a Twitter Chat on May 12 at 1 p.m. ET to discuss women’s health. Let’s connect, share best practices and lead change to promote healthy women and healthy communities. We’ll be using the hashtag #HRSAWomensChat to emphasize our vision toward the future and toward prevention. To participate and to receive a partner packet, email OCsocialmedia@hrsa.gov
Email OCSocialMedia@hrsa.gov with any questions or additional ideas you may have to collaborate regarding HRSA’s Women’s Health Twitter Chat. |
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Federal and State Policy Updates |
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Federal Policy Updates
The 2021 Federal Legislative Session continues to show signs of robust telehealth policy discussion, as over 12 federal bill proposals have been put forth by various legislators, including some proposals that were reintroduced from the previous session, such as the CONNECT Act (news article summary, here). While no bills have "hit the legislative floor" just yet, all indications are that we are shaping up for a large conversation around telehealth policy at the federal level, and NETRC is here to help you keep track! See the News Stories section below, the news page on our website, or CCHP's new website design that includes real-time updates (below), and catch next months' edition of NETRC's "Northeast Connections" for the latest news!
CMS MLN Connects, Special Edition: April 27, 2021: This edition of CMS's MLN Connects includes a proposed rule (CMS-1752-P) for inpatient and long-term care hospitals that builds on the Biden Administration’s key priorities to close health care equity gaps and provide greater accessibility to care, and more! Click here to read the full newsletter.
State Policy Updates
The State Legislative Discussions around Telehealth in our region continue to be very active, with many of our States either preparing to cover multiple Telehealth Proposals as they wrap up their legislative sessions, or preparing to cover numerous proposals as a part of a specially convened legislative session, See below for some brief highlights and resources.
Massachusetts: The Massachusetts 2021 General Court sessions is equally active, and at least 4 different bills currently in Committee Review directly relate to the provision of telehealth services, such as: Senate Bill 678, and House Bill 1101 , for the full list, see here.
New Hampshire: Today (May 4th) and Thursday May 6th bring two occupational licensure policies to the NH legislative floor for Public Hearing; Additionally two other bills pertaining to Telehealth Reimbursement and Broadband Access have been assigned to legislative committees for review; information on all can be found here.
New Jersey: It appears as though the multiple policies proposed earlier in the session regarding payment levels for telehealth services have been rolled into a comprehensive bill, Senate Bill 2559 , which has moved to the Appropriations Committee. Additionally, at least 2 other bills regarding Telehealth Service Coverage and Referral standards are still in their respective committees pending review, see here.
New York: Three policies have been proposed regarding studies or assessments of specific aspects of the Telehealth flexibilities that have been active as part of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. All three proposals are in the early stages, either recently being assigned to a committee, or completing the necessary floor wide "reading"; see here.
Rhode Island: Senate Bill 4 "The Telemedicine Coverage Act" has moved to the House Finance Committee For Review, See here.
Vermont: Vermont's Legislative Session is scheduled to convene at the end of may, and as such, the telehealth policy conversations are nearing completion. Remember that this session included a proposal that passed regarding the provision of audio-only telehealth services, and the need to study the impact of these services through 2022. The last bill that appears to be directly related to telehealth is H0104, which pertains to interstate licensure, and was passed in concurrence by both chambers on April 30.
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NEW CCHP Website, with New Policy Comparison Tools!
Last week, the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) launched its newly redesigned website with a revamped telehealth policy database tool (called ‘Policy Finder’)!
Historically, CCHP has released twice a year (Spring and Fall) updates to its “State Telehealth Laws and Reimbursement Policies” report in the form of a PDF report document that details all the telehealth policies for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This online database tool allows CCHP to easily update each state’s information on a more frequent basis instead of updating only in the Spring and Fall, and the new website design allows the information from the online database to be exported for each state in real time! Check out the new tool today! But before you do, take a moment and view this quick tutorial on how the new Finder tool can be easily utilized.
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Open Funding Opportunities |
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FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program- Round 2!
OPEN UNTIL 5/6 @ NOON EST
The COVID-19 Telehealth Program provides funding to eligible health care providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic to support the telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices needed to provide critical connected care. The program – established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – provided $200 million in funding to help health care providers provide telehealth and connected care services to patients at their homes or mobile locations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) provided an additional $249.95 million to fund a second round of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program.The application funding window for the second round of COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding opened on Thursday, April 29 at 12:00 p.m. ET and runs through Thursday, May 6 at 12:00 p.m. ET.; Interested Health Sites can learn more and apply here
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The Rural Health Care Program (Universal Service Administrative Company)
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2021
Purpose: Provides funding to eligible healthcare providers in rural areas for telecommunications and broadband services necessary for the provision of healthcare.
Visit Here for more information
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USDA RUS Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant (DLT)
Minimum Grant Amount $50,000,
Maximum Grant Amount $1,000,000
Match Requirement: 15% of total project cost
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 found 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.
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. Click here for a Fact Sheet about the Grant Program.
Application Deadline: June 4, 2021
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Upcoming Funding Opportunities |
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FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program - Coming Soon (05/12)!
The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. This benefit is available directly to consumers on a first come, first serve basis.
Eligible patients and households may submit applications here, through a participating Internet Service Provider (listed here), using an online or mail in application starting on 05/12.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311. Health centers and organizations are encouraged to begin preparing to increase awareness and help patients apply (e.g., outreach, internet access, and supporting applications completion). Organizations are encouraged to develop a plan now to support patients as funds are expected to go quickly.
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Upcoming Webinars and Events |
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NERGN Telegenetics Training Opportunities
NERGN is pleased to announce that registration is open for their Telegenetics Training on May 5 or 6 (you choose) from 1 pm – 5 pm (ET) Click here for more details
This is designed for genetics counselors and genetic counseling students. If you are already using telegenetics, you could improve your skills. Learn about policies, laws and practice during and after the pandemic. Free CEUs! Registration details:
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NCTRC Webinar Series, May 20, 2021 - Mistakes, Myths and Misconceptions Your Telehealth Diabetes Program Need To Avoid to be Successful!
Hosted by: Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center
Presented by:
-Becky Sanders, Program Director, Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center
-Cameron Hilt, Data Coordinator, Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center
-Tony Song, CEO, Diabetes Care Partners
Description: This webinar takes you through the challenges, mistakes, lessons learned and experiences of a telehealth diabetes program during the Public Health Emergency and what to avoid to be successful for both your organization and the people you serve.
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HRSA Telehealth Learning Series: An Overview of Licensure Compacts
May 17, 2021 12:30 PM
Webinar Objectives: Provide an overview of the following licensure compacts
- Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
- Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Compact
- Physical Therapy (PT) Compact
- Share legislative/regulatory updates regarding licensure compacts
- Discuss the importance of interstate licensure compacts as a method for increasing access to care and addressing workforce shortages
- Highlight examples demonstrating how expedited licensure processes have allowed physicians and other health care professionals to extend their reach by leveraging telemedicine"
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CCHP Spring Webinar Series: Telehealth & Medicaid: A Policy Webinar Series
The Webinar Series returned this month with four new webinars featuring Medicaid experts. The remaining three webinars will take place at 2pm EST on:
- May 7th
- May 14th, and
- May 21st of 2021.
Stay tuned for more information about confirmed speakers for the Spring series.
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In Case You Missed It! Recently Recorded Webinars |
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NCTRC Webinar Series- April 22 Federation of State Medical Boards: Provider Bridge
Powered by the Federation of State Medical Boards, Provider Bridge is a platform that will streamline the process for mobilizing health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergencies. Utilizing communications pathways and new technology, Provider Bridge will make it easier to connect health care professionals with state agencies and health care entities in order to quickly increase access to care for patients via telehealth. Provider Bridge is made possible by grant funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Watch the Recordings & view the slides here!
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HRSA ORO Region 1 & NETRC Webinar Series: Expanding Access to Medication-Based Treatment for OUD in Underserved Rural Areas Utilizing Telehealth - Part 3
This webinar discusses tips and promising strategies for addressing substance use disorder among vulnerable populations in rural areas with a focus on individuals with Opioid Use Disorder.
Watch the recording Here
Download the slide presentation Here
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Telehealth Job Opportunity
Community Care Cooperative (C3) 3- Telehealth Project Manager
C3 is a fast-growing organization founded in 2016 with 9 health centers and now serving 150,000 Medicaid beneficiaries who receive primary care at 18 health centers across Massachusetts. With the onset of the Covid-19 State of Emergency in March 2020, C3 and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers partnered in an effort called the FQHC Telehealth Consortium (the Consortium) to support the development of a long term strategy for the implementation and sustainability at 35 Massachusetts federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). These efforts require consistent and organized improvement and change management work to achieve a well-structured hybrid model of care well integrated into all disciplines and roles at FQHCs.
The Telehealth Project Manager will be funded through grants for 18 months (with potential to extend to 3 years pending additional grant funding) to support the Consortium’s FCC Connected Care Program, as well as other Consortium and C3 telehealth projects. The Project Manager will report to the Senior Director, Practice Improvement and Organizational Development and will work closely with the Telehealth Program Manager. Similarly, the Project Manager will interface with senior management, peers, the Consortium’s FQHCs, external funders, and telehealth vendors to advance the projects successfully, meeting all funder requests and requirements.
Click here to review the full job description
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Featured Telehealth News
A larger news compilation can be found on the NETRC site here.
The CONNECT Act is Back, Giving Telehealth Policy a 4th Shot at Passage
mHealthIntelligence April 30, 2021 Link
The CONNECT for Health Act is back before Congress for a 4th time, and backers say the massive telehealth bill could cross the finish line this time on broad bipartisan support and pressure to set long-term connected health policy.
Is Telehealth More Stressful for Nurses Than In-Person Care?
mHealthIntelligence April 29, 2021 Link
A new study out of the University of Missouri finds that nurses in some telehealth programs may be doing twice the work that they'd be doing treating patients in person.
Telemental Health and Tele Therapy Lead Telehealth Expansion
Telebehavioral Health Institute April 28, 2021 Link
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemental health and tele therapy became the second-most popular telehealth practice in August 2020 and held that position until December. The CPT Code 99213 was in the first place (CPT Code 99213 is used for “Office or outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient.
Using Telemedicine Services to Improve Sleep
Telebehavioral Health Institute April 28, 2021 Link
Royal Philips, an international health technology company, released a recent report Seeking Solutions: How COVID-19 Changed Sleep Around the World, which highlighted a survey querying 13,000 adults in 13 countries about their attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors around sleep.
Senators Again Seek Telehealth Waivers for Home Healthcare Providers
mHealthIntelligence April 27, 2021 Link
A group of Senators has re-introduced a bill that would allow home healthcare providers to use telehealth in place of some in-person visits during a public health emergency.
Telerehabilitation Boosts Patient Satisfaction for Young Patients
mHealthIntelligence April 27, 2021 Link
While just 6 percent of care episodes in the study utilized telerehabilitation, patient satisfaction was similar to in-person outpatient rehab.
Lawmakers Again Seek Medicare Coverage of Telehealth in Diabetes Prevention Services
mHealthIntelligence April 26, 2021 Link
A bill introduced last week seeks to include telehealth in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, giving providers access to virtual care tools to promote health and wellness to at-risk patients.
UMass Research Focuses on Helping Seniors Play mHealth Games
mHealthIntelligence April 23, 2021 Link
An NIH-funded project at UMass-Amherst is studying how mHealth games can be used to help seniors with mild cognitive impairment improve their brain function.
Telemedicine came to the rescue during COVID-19 – could it help climate change too?
Healthcare IT News April 23, 2021 Link
Research and experts agree: Telemedicine's green potential is something to look into.
Advancing care delivery innovation in 2021 and beyond
Becker’s Healthcare April 2021 Link
Healthcare provider leaders shared their viewpoints with Optum and Scottsdale Institute on how pandemic related disruptions will influence the way care will be delivered, managed and paid for moving Healthcare forward. Read this report to understand where providers see progress in the digital road forward, putting consumers at the center of care, and challenges they will continue to face.
FQHC Consortium Using FCC Award, Telehealth to Tackle the Digital Divide
mHealthIntelligence April 22, 2021 Link
A coalition of 35 Massachusetts FQHCs is using money from the FCC's Connected Care Pilot Program and other sources to expand is telehealth platform and take on socioeconomic barriers to care that plague underserved populations.
How do providers strike the right balance between in-person care and telehealth?
Healthcare IT News April 21 ,2021 Link
Sean Cavanaugh, chief policy officer at Aledade and former deputy administrator and director of CMS, offers expert insights into virtual care post-pandemic.
Can Telehealth Help Healthcare Providers Tackle Rural Health Disparities?
mHealthIntelligence April 21, 2021 Link
Federal officials are awarding almost $13 million to dozens of organizations across 35 states to create rural health partnerships that use telehealth and other strategies to take on rural health disparities.
No Patient Left Behind: Considering Equitable Distribution Of Telehealth
HealthAffairs April 20, 2021 Link
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed telemedicine’s potential to improve health care delivery and access. In the past year, we have seen rapid expansion of telemedicine, in the form of video and telephone services, the extent of which our health system has never experienced.
HIPAA Compliance: Why HIPAA Training is Not Enough
Telebehavioral Health Institute April 16, 2021 Link
Many organizations looking to become HIPAA compliant start with training. HIPAA training is a good basis for HIPAA compliance as it provides an overview of the regulation; however, it is not enough.
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Recommended Telehealth Research/Resources
Check out the complete Telehealth Library Database on the NETRC site here.
Addressing Inequities in Older Adults’ Health: A Role for Emerging Technologies
Alavi Z, Haque R, Felzer-Kim IT, et al. Community Ment. Health J. 57(1):57-63, 2021 Link
Anthony Jnr B. Inform. Health Soc. Care 46(1):68-83, 2021 Link
Bachireddy C, Chen C, Dar M. JAMA 323(20):2009-2010, 2020 Link
Demeke HB, Merali S, Marks S, et al. MMWR Morb. Mortal Wkly Rep. 70(7):240-244, 2021 Link
Elsner P. J. Dtsch. Dermatol. Ges. 18(8):841-845, 2020 Link
Morris NP, Hirschtritt ME. Psychiatr. Serv. 71(12):1309-1312, 2020 Link
Murphy AA, Karyczak S, Dolce JN, et al. Community Ment. Health J. 57(1):111-120, 2021 Link
Nelson B, Kaminsky DB. Cancer Cytopathol. 128(12):879-880, 2020 Link
Steeves-Reece AL, Elder NC, Graham TA, et al. J. Rural Health 37(1):227-230, 2021 Link
Thronson LR, Jackson SL, Chew LD. JAMA Netw. Open 3(10):e2021767, 2020 Link
Uscher-Pines L, Thompson J, Taylor P, et al. J. Med. Internet Res. 22(12):e22727, 2020 Link
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The Northeast Telehealth Resource Center has been made possible by grant number G22RH30352 from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth: HRSA / DHHS. |
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