Telehealth

Also known as telemedicine, this area of care helps connect doctors and patients remotely, without requiring in-person visits. This virtual care strategy is beneficial for managing chronic conditions, delivering lab test or diagnostic imaging results, post-surgical follow-ups, assessing skin conditions, online counseling and many other healthcare services. It also can improve care, care access and outcomes for patients.

DEA, HHS postpone permanent telehealth prescribing rule—again
The new rule was expected to go into effect on March 21 and would have expanded prescribing practices for buprenorphine, a non-opioid painkiller used to treat addiction.
Walgreens resolves $595M lawsuit over COVID testing
The dispute was with Everly Health, a telemedicine provider contracted to fulfill orders for COVID-19 tests during the pandemic. Walgreens was accused of violating provisions of a service agreement.
Congress hesitates on long-term telemedicine expansion admid advocacy push
Congress temporarily extended telemedicine provisions until March amid lobby efforts by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and others to make the provisions permanent.
DEA wants to permanently anchor some COVID-era prescription regulations
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing the adoption of some COVID-era prescription practices around certain controlled substances. The agency published a framework to guide any such changes Jan. 17.
Telehealth diabetes management offering now part of Amazon marketplace
The integration was announced during the annual JP Morgan Health Care Conference in San Francisco. The program works through Amazon Benefits Manager to remotely help patients with weight and blood pressure management.

Health Care Service Corporation launches virtual primary care

Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the largest customer-owned health insurer in the United States, has launched a virtual primary care offering in two states.

Heartbeat Health Caption Health AI echocardiogram

Caption Health, Heartbeat Health partner to deliver AI-powered echocardiograms

Steve Cashman, Caption Health’s CEO, described the partnership as “an ideal coupling of patient-centric services.”

DOJ makes 36 arrests in $1.2B telemedicine fraud scheme

Defendants in the case allegedly defrauded CMS for millions of dollars that were spent on luxury vehicles, real estate and more.

K Health, Mayo Clinic collaborate on AI-powered hypertension treatments

The predictive model can help physicians find a more intelligent, personalized approach for treating hypertension.

AMA maps out 5-point ‘road to recovery’ for frazzled physicians

Supporting telehealth, reforming Medicare, fixing the prior authorization process—these are three of five goals the American Medical Association is pursuing in an expansive new program.

Teladoc sued for misleading investors

Teladoc has been hit with a class action lawsuit for allegedly making “false and misleading statements” about its business.

CVS Health launches virtual primary care

CVS Health has launched a new virtual care program for Aetna plan sponsors and CVS Caremark clients.

MeMD changes name to Walmart Health Virtual Care

Walmart acquired the telehealth company back in May 2021.

Telehealth

DEA, HHS postpone permanent telehealth prescribing rule—again

Walgreens resolves $595M lawsuit over COVID testing

Congress hesitates on long-term telemedicine expansion admid advocacy push

DEA wants to permanently anchor some COVID-era prescription regulations

Telehealth diabetes management offering now part of Amazon marketplace