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Top Telehealth News
Uncertainty in Washington Rattles Telehealth Sector (Source: Modern Healthcare) Telehealth companies are used to an uncertain regulatory environment but the dizzying pace at which President Donald Trump’s administration has operated is causing concern about the industry’s future. What DEA's Special Registrations Mean for Telehealth Prescribing (Source: TechTarget) Telehealth prescribing of controlled substances has been the source of intense debate and discussion for the last several years. Though much is still unknown about its future, the DEA did make good on a decades-long directive from Congress, releasing a proposal for a special registrations framework that would provide designated pathways to telehealth prescribing of controlled substances. It was met with immediate and vehement backlash from telehealth stakeholders. Are Telehealth Reimbursement Policies Strangling FQHCs? (Source: HealthLeaders Media) Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are often the only access point for underserved populations needing healthcare services, and telehealth can be a critical tool for improving that access. But a new study out of Columbia University finds that several FQHCs in New York City are struggling due to inadequate Medicaid reimbursements for telehealth, which exacerbate workforce shortages and create disparities between those safety net clinics and nearby health systems and hospitals. Crossing State Lines for Cancer Care (Source: Medpage Today) Many older Americans with cancer travel across state lines to receive care, according to an analysis of Medicare claims data. Almost 7% of more than 1 million beneficiaries received out-of-state care, most often in a state adjacent to their residency. Surgery was the most common reason for out-of-state travel, followed by radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy. The frequency of cross-state cancer care increased with the rurality (geographic isolation) of patients' residences.
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Recent TRC Resources
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| The Telehealth Policy Cliff: Preparing For April 1, 2025 (Created by NCTRC) |
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| The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC) created a webpage titled The Telehealth Policy Cliff: Preparing for April 1, 2025, which addresses the impending changes to Medicare telehealth services should the key telehealth flexibilities expire on March 31st, 2025. It outlines key impacts, including the possible return of geographic and facility restrictions, loss of reimbursement for at-home telehealth visits, and limitations on services provided by FQHCs and RHCs. The page offers strategies for healthcare providers, policymakers, and stakeholders to prepare for these shifts and stay informed. To stay informed, this webpage will be updated every Monday. |
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| Recent Prescribing Regulations - DEA & HHS Delay Implementation of First Rules (Created by CCHP) |
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The Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) released a writeup detailing the recent prescribing regulations. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced a delay in the effective date for the recently issued final rules regarding the telemedicine prescribing of buprenorphine and telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients. Originally scheduled to become effective February 18, the rules will now take effect on March 21, 2025. For more information, view the full writeup. |
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| Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Toolkit (Created by TTAC) |
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What’s Inside the Updated Toolkit?
- Understanding DTC Telemedicine – Key concepts and industry trends
- Consumer Considerations – What patients expect and how to meet their needs
- Adoption & Growth Strategies – How to scale and sustain your telemedicine business
- Service & Financial Models – Insights into pricing, revenue streams, and operational efficiency
- Resources & Bibliography – Expert insights, case studies, and must-read materials
Whether you're a healthcare provider, entrepreneur, or digital health innovator, this toolkit is packed with valuable insights to keep you ahead in the rapidly evolving telehealth space. For more information, view the updated toolkit. |
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| Navigating Telemedicine Regulations: Updates in Healthcare Policy (Created by SWTRC) |
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| The Southwest Telehealth Resource Center (SWTRC) February 2025 Newsletter highlights key policy updates in telehealth. It covers open comment periods for the HIPAA Security Rule NPRM and the Special Registration for Telemedicine and Limited State Telemedicine Registrations NPRM. Additionally, it provides details on the final rules for Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients and the Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine. For more details, read the full newsletter. |
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For more telehealth resources, view our resources page!
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Upcoming Telehealth Events
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| Telehealth Everywhere Conference |
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This conference is for anyone involved in telehealth! It focuses primarily on operational aspects of telehealth, including policy, billing, reimbursement, workflows, performance evaluation, best practices, training, technology optimization, and quality measurement. Whether or not you find exactly what you are looking for, you will definitely find friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful people working to advance telehealth in a variety of settings. There is always something for everyone! The conference will take place on April 22 – 23, 2025 in Bloomington, Minnesota.
REGISTER HERE > |
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| American Telemedicine Association Nexus 2025 |
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Nexus 2025 will convene leading healthcare delivery organizations and the solution providers that support them, government agencies, payors, and other stakeholders to share critical insights and build action plans that enable virtual care as an indispensable care modality and permanent part of healthcare delivery. Nexus 2025 is where the future of healthcare is being built. We’re bringing the future of telehealth to the Crescent City. Join the chant, be part of the innovation, and let’s march toward the next era of healthcare together! The conference will take place in New Orleans, LA from May 3 – 6, 2025. Use code NCTRC for $300 off the regular registration rate.
REGISTER HERE > |
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For more TRC events, view our events page!
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NCTRC Webinar Series
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| Our webinar series provides informative and educational material on all things telehealth related. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here. |
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The NCTRC hosts an educational webinar every 3rd Thursday of the month from 11 AM - 12 PM PT.UPCOMING WEBINAR INFORMATIONWebinar Topic: Telehealth at Yet Another Crossroads: Analysis of Our Present and Potential FuturesHosting TRC: Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center (gpTRAC)When: March 20, 2025 @ 11 AM - 12 PM PT
In this 1-hour webinar, four telehealth experts will review recent developments in the telehealth regulatory landscape and discuss ways in which these developments are advancing or restricting telehealth innovation and implementation. The discussion will focus on developments in three specific policy domains: changes in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2025 and prior years, the recently released DEA and SAMHSA prescription drug/controlled substance policy statements, and the pandemic-related federal flexibilities that are set to expire on March 31 unless Congress takes action. We will review the status of current policy in these areas and discuss how recent and pending changes are set to impact telehealth programs across the country.
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Telehealth Blog Post
The Telehealth Resource Centers are excited to share blog posts providing a detailed account of a specific use of telehealth in the real world.
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| From the California Telehealth Resource Center (CTRC)
Evaluating AI Platforms: Key Insights for Health Care Providers
As the healthcare landscape evolves, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative tool with the potential to improve patient outcomes, enhance operational efficiency, and support financial sustainability. Recently, we had the opportunity to review insights from the Health AI Partnership webinar, hosted by Duke AI Health and DLA Piper. This session explored the adoption of large language models (LLMs) in health care, providing valuable lessons for California stakeholders. Here’s what healthcare providers need to know about the opportunities and challenges of deploying AI in their practices.
Understanding the Role of AI in Health Care
Large language models are increasingly being used for tasks such as generating patient communication drafts, summarizing medical literature, and supporting clinical decision-making. However, the adoption of these tools requires a careful balance. While the potential benefits are significant, there are risks of inaccuracies, unintended outputs, and legal implications that must be addressed to ensure patient safety and compliance.
For providers, the challenge lies in evaluating which AI models are appropriate for their needs and how best to integrate these tools into their workflows.
Red-Teaming: A Proven Strategy for Safer AI Deployment
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