New Telehealth Resources via the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center (SWTRC) Website
Below is a selection of new resources now available via the SWTRC website, thoughtfully curated to meet the diverse telehealth needs across our region.
Accessibility: WHO (World Health Organization) Toolkit: Implementation toolkit for accessible telehealth services – This toolkit provides practical guidance to support governments, industry partners, health service providers and civil society groups in the use and implementation of the WHO-ITU (International Telecommunications Network) Global standard for accessibility of telehealth services.
Disaster Preparedness: Introduction to Telehealth for Emergency Preparedness – This guide provides essential information on how telehealth can play a critical role in emergency preparedness and response.
For Patients: Can I Use Telehealth for My Child with Special Health Care Needs? – A resource focused on how telehealth can support children and their families with unique health care needs.
For Healthcare Providers: Three new resources: Preparing patients for telehealth; Getting patients set up with telehealth technology; Preparing patients to protect their health data privacy
Health Equity: Health equity in telehealth
Breaking News: CMS Approves Section 1115 Waivers in AZ & NM
On October 16, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Section 1115 waivers in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Oregon. Arizona and New Mexico, both part of the SWTRC’s region.
These new waivers allow state Medicaid agencies to cover American Indian and Alaska Native traditional health care practices. These waiver approvals aim to support sovereign Tribal governments in providing health care services reflective of individual Tribes’ cultures and healing knowledge. In each of the four states and at the federal level, the waivers and the terms of the approvals were developed in partnership with Tribal leaders through formal Tribal consultation processes, public comment periods, and advisory groups. [https://www.chcs.org/media/CMS-Approved-Waivers-Break-New-Ground-for-Medicaid-Coverage-of-American-Indian-and-Alaska-Native-Traditional-Health-Care-Practices.pdf]
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System: https://www.azahcccs.gov/shared/News/GeneralNews/AHCCCSReceivedFederalApprovaltoCoverTraditionalHealingServicesatQualifyingTribalHealthFacilities.html
New Mexico Health Care Authority:
https://www.hca.nm.gov/2024/10/16/new-mexico-receives-federal-approval-to-use-medicaid-funds-for-native-american-traditional-health-care-practices/
SWTRC Event Highlights
Innovating Remote Access to Care, October 17th
SWTRC co-hosted “Innovating Remote Access to Care,” a collaborative event with HealthTech Rx and the New Mexico Telehealth Alliance. The event featured presentations on:
- Telehealth: Bridging Health Equity or Widening Disparities – SWTRC’s Michael Holcomb and Carrie Foote
- AI and Other Digital Innovations in Remote Care Delivery – SWTRC’s Dr. Elizabeth Krupinski, PhD
- Medicare Telehealth: How to Plan Patient Care During Uncertainty – Carol Yarbrough, MBA CPC OCS CHC
- HCA/Turquoise Care Vision + Strategies for Expanding Remote/Access to Care – Alex Castillo Smith, HCA Deputy Cabinet Secretary
After the presentations, attendees circulated amongst different “Table Talks” featuring subject matter leaders discussing a variety of telehealth and healthcare topics.
American Public Health Association Annual Conference October 28th – 30th
We’re pleased to announce that SWTRC’s Distance Education and Event Coordinator, Melanie Esher, represented us and the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN from October 28th to October 30th.
Telemedicine Applications and Services Training Course, November 19th
Don’t miss our upcoming training session, Telemedicine Applications and Services, on November 19, 2024, from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MST. This training will cover telemedicine applications across a range of healthcare services.
Register Here: https://telemedicine.arizona.edu/training/telemedicine-applications-and-services/webinar/2024-11-19
State-Specific Telehealth Resources
Each state in our region has unique telehealth resources. Here’s a quick guide to what’s available:
Arizona: Arizona Telemedicine Program, Arizona Telemedicine Council, & Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System Telehealth Advisory Committee
Colorado: Colorado Telehealth Network & Office of eHealth Innovation’s Telehealth and Digital Inclusion Initiative
Nevada: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Care Financing and Policy & University of Nevada, Reno Telehealth Statewide Initiatives
New Mexico: New Mexico Telehealth Alliance & University of New Mexico Health Sciences Project ECHO
National Directory of Clinical Telemedicine and Telehealth Service Providers
Search the Service Provider Directory to find clinical telemedicine and telehealth service providers. Filter your search by state, specialty, customer type, and ancillary services.
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