2025 November Spotlight:
Dustin Brown, DHA, FACHE
| | Dr. Dustin Brown is a healthcare administrator with the State of Wyoming. Following a career as a Medical Service Corps Officer with the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Brown worked as the Wyoming Medicaid Program Manager. While there, he collaborated with Dr. Bush to write telehealth policy for Wyoming Medicaid that was flexible and adaptable to best support Wyoming providers. This experience introduced Dr. Brown to the potential of telehealth as a tool to expand access to healthcare, especially in our rural and frontier communities. | | | |
In his current role Dr. Brown and his team at the Department of Education, developed Wyoming’s Project AWARE. The team built upon the in-person SAMHSA programming, to create a tele-mental health model that can be delivered to schools across Wyoming. Their model has had great success, having delivered high-quality mental health and substance use services over 2,000 students in Wyoming. Dr. Brown is a committed leader, researcher, and advocate for telehealth services and we are grateful for his continued efforts!
| | Connected Health Policy News | | “Amid Medicare Policy Uncertainty, Recent Research Shows Value of Telehealth” | | |
A new Journal of General Internal Medicine study found that telehealth improves satisfaction, continuity of care, and outcomes for older veterans with diabetes. Using Veterans Health Administration data from 2019–2021, researchers showed that hybrid telehealth—combining virtual and in-person visits—supports better communication and treatment for chronic conditions.
The study highlights telehealth’s value for rural and mobility-limited veterans, offering a cost-effective way to maintain ongoing care. These findings come as Medicare telehealth waivers expired on Oct. 1, 2025, creating uncertainty for those who rely on virtual access to healthcare.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updated guidance reflecting the Medicare telehealth changes now in effect. These updates clarify billing procedures, in-person visit requirements, and temporary claims holds following the waiver expirations.
Key highlights
- Temporary claims hold remains in place while Congress considers new funding.
- CMS Telehealth FAQ (updated Oct. 15, 2025) clarifies billing and visit rules.
- FQHCs/RHCs may continue using HCPCS code G2025 for non-behavioral telehealth services through Dec. 31, 2025.
| | Updated FAQs & Policy Matrix | |
FQHC & RHC Services:
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) can continue billing for non-behavioral health telehealth services using HCPCS code G2025 through December 31, 2025.
CMS has also proposed extending this policy through 2026 in the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). This provides continued flexibility for rural and underserved clinics to deliver essential care while long-term funding decisions remain pending.
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Behavioral Health Visits:
The updated CMS Telehealth FAQ also clarifies in-person visit requirements for behavioral health services:
- Patients established before Sept. 30, 2025 do not need a new in-person visit within six months.
- One in-person visit every 12 months remains required.
- For FQHCs/RHCs, in-person visit requirements for behavioral health are delayed until Jan. 1, 2026.
These policies are especially impactful for older adults and rural veterans who rely on virtual behavioral health care for ongoing treatment and continuity of support.
| | | Telehealth Expands Access in Rural Schools | |
New Initiative Launches in Four North Carolina Districts
A new school-based telehealth initiative has launched across Bertie, Hyde, Northampton, and Washington counties—areas designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). The program, managed by the City of Medicine Volunteer Medical Corps (VMC), connects students with healthcare providers through virtual visits right from school.
| | PATHS Launch Party in Gillette | | | | |
📍 Location: Campbell County Public Library – Gillette
🗓 Date: Saturday, November 2, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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Join us for the PATHS Booth Launch Party during the Veterans Day Celebration at the Campbell County Public Library!
This special event will feature community resources, information on the PATHS program, and a chance to connect with veterans, families, and local organizations. Kristen and the PATHS team will be there to celebrate and answer questions about the program’s mission and upcoming opportunities.
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Upcoming Events For
National Rural Health Day
| | Join the Rural Medical Education (RME) Collaborative for the Rural Health Clinical Congress on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM ET. This free, online CME/CE event is tailored for clinicians serving rural patients— including physicians, nurse practitioners, PAs, nurses, and pharmacists. Participants will learn evidence-based, practical strategies to meet rural healthcare needs, engage with experts through live polls and Q&As, and earn continuing education credits. Register and learn more at powerofrural.org. | | | National Rural Health Day, celebrated on November 20, honors the strength and innovation of rural communities across the country. At 2 p.m. ET, NOSORH will host the NRHD Main Event, featuring speakers from Dakota State University, Madison Regional Health System, and the Rural Healthcare Cybersecurity Initiative. The session will highlight real stories of collaboration and cybersecurity resilience in rural healthcare. Learn more, register, and explore ways to celebrate the “Power of Rural” at nosorh.org. | | Healthcare Providers: We Need Your Help! | | WyTN has launched a survey to help us understand the current telehealth landscape in Wyoming from the perspective of healthcare providers. This survey aims to gather insights from providers related to the successes and challenges of telehealth implementation and adaptation. | | | |
The results from this survey will help us identify and address specific barriers that currently limit telehealth use in Wyoming, with the ultimate goal of developing a more comprehensive telehealth network throughout the state.
Anyone who provides direct services to clients is invited to participate in this anonymous and voluntary survey – whether you currently provide telehealth services or not. The survey can be accessed by clicking this link, or by using the QR code above.
Please email Kristen Glennie (kglennie@uwyo.edu) with any questions.
| | Upcoming Special Interest Groups | | |
Health
Second Friday of the month
November 14, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm
zoom.us/j/177533182
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Community Health & Chronic Disease Prevention
Second Tuesday of the month
November 11, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm
zoom.us/j/99923831002
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Hospital
Third Tuesday of the month
November 18, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/94824269281
| | The Wyoming Telehealth Network newsletter is your source for information, resources and best practices in telehealth. We support healthcare entities, providers, and specialists through professional development, collaboration, and leveraging of telecommunications technology. | | |
If you would like to contribute information to the newsletter, get involved with any special interest groups, or have your practice highlighted,
please call or email us using the information below.
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Contact Information
Wyoming Telehealth Network | Wyoming Institute for Disabilities
UW College of Health Sciences
Phone: (307) 766-6407
Email: wytn@uwyo.edu
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