Skip to main content
  • Apr 07, 2024

    March Newsletter

    NCTRC
    Twitter
    YouTube
    Facebook
    LinkedIn
    Website
    March 27, 2024
    Share Share
    Tweet Tweet
    Share Share
    Forward Forward
    Top Telehealth News
    The U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Mifepristone for Abortion Care (Source: UC San Francisco) Nearly 1 in 5 abortions happen through telehealth services in the United States. As part of those services, most clinicians provide medication abortions through 11 weeks of pregnancy, seeing patients via video, phone or text before mailing medications. But an upcoming Supreme Court ruling could put a stop to telehealth abortion services nationally, even in states like California.

    HHS Secretary Becerra: We’re with You on Telehealth Flexibilities (Source: Hospice News) Telehealth flexibilities must become permanent U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra indicated in a congressional hearing today. At the end of this year, telehealth flexibilities implemented during the pandemic are slated to expire. In a hearing before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Becerra said that HHS was willing to make them permanent.

    CMS Urged Not to Require Certain Telehealth Providers to List Home Address (Source: American Hospital Association) AHA again urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services March 20 to permanently allow telehealth providers to administer services from their homes without listing their home address on Medicare enrollment and claims forms, which would pose privacy and safety risks, add unnecessary operational and administrative burden, and could lead to confusion regarding practice location.

    Telehealth May be Effective Way for Pregnant People with OUD to Stay in Treatment (Source: Behavioral Health Business) Telehealth treatment may be an effective way for pregnant individuals to continue medication-assisted-treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD). A new analysis by Workit Health, a virtual addiction treatment provider, that was published in JAMA, examined the electronic health record (EHR) data of pregnant patients who identified as having an OUD and were receiving MAT. 

    Patients Mostly Use Telehealth for Prescription Renewals, Follow-ups (Source: mHealth Intelligence) Patients are primarily using telehealth for prescription renewals and follow-up visits, with a majority agreeing that the integration of virtual care is changing the healthcare system for the better, according to new survey results.
    New Resources from the TRCs!
    TRC Skills Matrix
    Created by NCTRC
    The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC) has updated the TRC Skills Matrix. Learn more about each TRC’s unique skill areas and clinical telehealth specialties in this skills matrix. For more information, view the full skills matrix. 
    Telehealth Roundup – Regional Billing & Reimbursement Update for Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee
    Created by SCTRC

    The South Central Telehealth Resource Center (SCTRC) hosted a webinar, which provides specific guidance for 2024 pertaining to virtual visits and some specific billing and coding guidelines around these services. We’ll also discuss this region’s payer updates specific to Medicare, Medicaid, and other commercial groups. Updated billing and reimbursement guides are also available!
    2024 Technology Trends Survey
    Created by TTAC

    We're excited to invite you to participate in the 2024 Technology Trends Survey! This survey is your chance to influence the future of innovation by sharing your insights on the latest advancements, trends, and emerging technologies shaping the digital landscape. Your voice is crucial as we navigate the ever-evolving world of technology. Together, let's explore the forefront of innovation and pave the way for a brighter tech future. Join us and let your voice be heard in the 2024 Technology Trends Survey! 
    TAKE THE SURVEY
    Upcoming Events!
    Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC) Summit 2024
    The Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource (MATRC) will be holding their annual Telehealth Summit on April 14 - 16, 2024 in Pocono Manor, PA. 

    Join us for #MATRC2024, where we gather healthcare pioneers, innovators, and professionals to explore the advancements and possibilities in telehealth beyond the year 2024. As we rapidly approach a time where telehealth is fully integrated into all of healthcare, we will be navigating the latest trends and best practices in telehealth implementation, remote patient monitoring, virtual consultations, and AI-driven healthcare solutions.

    Through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, we aim to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, empowering attendees to embrace the full potential of telehealth for increasing accessibility, affordability, and quality of care for all.
    REGISTER HERE
    NRTRC 2024 Telehealth Conference - The Next Generation of Telehealth from Reactionary to Visionary
    Mark your calendars and prepare for three days of informative, interactive and innovative telehealth sessions at the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC) 2024 Conference on April 29 - Mary 1 in Seattle, Washington. Join us Day 2 of the 2024 NRTRC Conference for the latest developments on the federal policy landscape from Mei Kwong of the Center for Connected Health Policy. See the agenda, conference information and register today! Use code NRTRC24 for $15 off your registration!
    REGISTER HERE
    Telehealth Everywhere 2024 Conference

    The Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center (gpTRAC) will be hosting their annual Telehealth Everywhere Conference on May 21 – 22, 2024 in Bloomington, Minnesota. This event is an annual regional telehealth conference for executives, providers, managers, and staff engaged in the operational aspects of telehealth. We focus on delivering information and experiences that will help drive your organization’s telehealth program forward into the future while also providing foundational information for telehealth beginners. 
    REGISTER HERE
    California Digital Health Workshop

    The California Telehealth Resource Center (CTRC) will be hosting a Digital Health Workshop, offered in different California regions! Join us for an interactive in-person event where we'll explore digital health oppourtunities! Tailored to meet the needs of California healthcare providers, based on your insights! With a focus on providers in underserved and rural communities, these workshop aims to enhance sustainability, quality, access, and overall effectiveness in delivering digital health services. Join us for a FREE in-person workshop in Los Angeles on July 24th! 
    REGISTER HERE
    ATA Nexus 2024

    ATA Nexus 2024 is the next phase of the ATA’s annual conference – the industry’s most informative and essential virtual care event. This rebranding reflects the transformative shifts taking place in virtual care delivery and our commitment to spearheading the movement. ATA Nexus 2024 will be held on May 5-7, 2024 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Use code NCTRC for $300 off the regular registration rate!
    REGISTER HERE
    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. 
    From the California Telehealth Resource Center (CTRC)
     
    Updates on Medicare Reimbursement and Additional Guidance (2024)
     
    Overview

    The following are Medicare Reimbursement resources and reference documents concerning:
    • Telehealth (interactive video/audio or audio-only) 
    • eConsults 
    • Remote physiological or therapeutic management
    • Store and forward (in limited circumstances) 
    Please note that general Medicare payment policies do not apply to Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, and Indian Health Clinics.  Please see discussion for information on FQHC, RHC, and IHC policies.

    General Telehealth (Interactive Video-Audio and Audio-Only)

    General Remote Physiological Monitoring


    Medicare covers remote physiological monitoring.  Medicare policies include:
    • An established patient-physician relationship is required
    • Consent to receive remote physiologic monitoring services at the time services are furnished is allowed
    • Physicians and non-physician practitioners who are eligible to furnish evaluation and management services (E/M) may bill for remote physiologic monitoring services
    Guidelines for remote physiologic monitoring services billed to CPT codes 99453 and 99454
    • Physiologic data must be electronically collected and automatically uploaded to the secure location where the data can available for analysis and interpretation by the billing practitioner
    • The device used to collect and transmit the data must meet the definition of a medical device as defined by the FDA
    • Remote physiologic monitoring data must be collected for at least 16 days out of 30 days
    • Remote physiologic monitoring services must monitor an acute care or chronic condition
    • The services may be provided by auxiliary personnel under the general supervision of the billing practitioner
    For specific codes and requirements for Medicare’s remote physiologic monitoring coverage, visit the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule page from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...

     
    The NCTRC Webinar Series
    Our webinar series provides informative and educational material on all things telehealth related. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here.
    The NCTRC hosts an educational webinar every 3rd Thursday of the month from
    11 AM - 12 PM PT.

    UPCOMING WEBINAR INFORMATION

    Webinar Topic: AI in Healthcare - Hope, Hype, Promise, Peril
    Hosting TRC: California Telehealth Resource Center (CTRC)
    When: April 18, 2024 @ 11 AM - 12 PM PT
    REGISTER HERE
    Need assistance? TRCs across the nation are equipped to provide technical assistance, education, and resources on various topics.  The NCTRC is here for you! Submit your question using our contact us page or email us at nctrc@cchpca.org. 
    CONTACT US
    Copyright © 2024 by The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers, All rights reserved.
    The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC) is an affiliation of the 14 Telehealth Resource Centers funded individually through cooperative agreements from the Health Resources & Services Administration, Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. The goal of the NCTRC is to increase the consistency, efficiency, and impact of federally funded telehealth technical assistance services. This announcement was made possible by 14 Telehealth Resource Centers and administered through grant #U6743496 from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

    Our mailing address is:
    P.O. Box 981655
    West Sacramento, CA 95798

    Want to change how you receive these emails?
    You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

    Contact Us
    nctrc@cchpca.org

By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and acknowledge the use of cookies to store information, which may be essential to making our site work properly or enhancing user experience.