The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments in response to the request for information from the Senate HELP Committee on the drivers of the health care workforce shortage. The Alliance specifically outlined the important role that telehealth can play in addressing health care workforce shortages moving forward and why telehealth should be included [...]
Foley & Lardner LLP, an international law firm, released a white paper analysis, which discusses the legal authority and statutory obligation of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to promulgate regulations specifying the circumstances in which a special registration may be issued, and more.Notably, it concludes:“The recently released proposed rule does not satisfy DEA’s obligation as [...]
This update includes: Sign On Letter Opportunities Release of Congressional Justifications MedPAC Report and notable research and news developments
American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC): Provision of Telemental Health Before and After COVID-19 Onset This study aimed to examine the organizational characteristics associated with telemedicine services provided by mental health care organizations before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. This study found that telemedicine availability in mental [...]
Cureus: Health Care Providers’ Experience Using Telehealth During the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Predominantly Rural Patient Base: An Online Survey This study compares patient and provider satisfaction concerning telemedicine across a wide array of topics and investigates the perception of providers who serve a predominantly rural patient base during the COVID-19 pandemic. [...]
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC): March 2023 Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy MedPAC released its March 2023 report to Congress, which includes brief mentions of telehealth. The report provides a high level background of telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Audio-only telephone visits were used somewhat more often (by [...]
Medical Care: Health Care–Related Practices in Virtual Behavioral Health Treatment for Major Depression Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic This study found that the shift to virtual health care resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic led to positive outcomes related to engagement for patients with depression and those in need of behavioral health care. Researchers [...]
This update includes: Sign-on letter opportunities Alliance executive director speaks on an Interstate telehealth panel Introduced legislation White House Budget and notable research and news developments
JAMA Network Open: Rates of Primary Care and Integrated Mental Health Telemedicine Visits Between Rural and Urban Veterans Affairs Beneficiaries Before and After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic A study in JAMA Network Open tracking telemedicine visits pre- and post-pandemic across the VA reveals increasing inequities between rural and urban communities. Before the [...]
This update includes: Alliance summaries of the DEA NPRM Sen. Warner Statement on DEA NPRM Lawmakers on Both Sides Don't Like DEA's New Telehealth Rules Sign-on opportunity to support the telehealth benefit expansion workers act and notable research and news developments