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.

More than 200 advocates call on governors to retain telehealth flexibilities

Amazon, the Mayo Clinic and HIMSS are among those fighting to keep exemptions in place throughout the end of the public health emergency.

Growing pains weaken telehealth’s own health status

Telehealth is growing big and strong while feeling the pains of its own success, according to a new JD Power satisfaction survey.

Pandemic pushing ophthalmology into the arms of AI-aided telehealth

Teleophthalmology incorporating AI has a bright future in advanced vision care, and the potential indications branch out in many directions from screening for diabetic retinopathy.

1 specialty the exception as telehealth continues to tumble

Going by private health-insurance data, national telehealth utilization dropped 12.5% this spring, slipping from 5.6% of claims in March to 4.9% in April.

Telehealth demand starts to soften

As healthcare offices closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth surged. Now that states are reopening, the tide is starting to ebb, according to a recent report from Trilliant.

AMA pushes for equity in telehealth

In an effort to bridge divides in access to telehealth services, the American Medical Association has approved a new policy aimed at helping underserved communities and populations.

AMA launches new telehealth initiative

The American Medical Association has launched a new initiative aimed at re-envisioning virtual care and ensuring that healthcare stakeholders understand its full potential.

Walmart acquires telehealth provider MeMD

Walmart is advancing its healthcare capabilities with the acquisition of telehealth provider MeMD.

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