Recent Telehealth Trends, Insights and News - April 2023
Medicaid redetermination, Samsung unveils new platform, end of HIPAA enforcement discretion, OpenLoop acquires Imaging Panda
It can be hard to stay on top of all the news, trends, technology and insights breaking through in the digital health space. The industry continues to grow faster each day. That’s why, while you focus on serving your patients, we’ll do the work for you with our monthly telehealth recap.
Curious about what’s new in telemedicine? Stay up to date on the recent medicaid redetermination, Samsung's new digital health platform, the end of the HIPAA enforcement discretion and OpenLoop’s recent acquisition of virtual diagnostic imaging company, Imaging Panda.
Technology, Trends and Insights
3 Trends Driving The Push Toward Value-Based Care
Read about the three trends that are behind the push toward value-based care and a value-based care reimbursement model. These trends include government programs and incentives, advancements in technology, and data collection. Keep reading for a more detailed overview of each.
Read the full Becker’s ASC Review here >>
Samsung Unveils New Digital Health Platform
Samsung recently launched the Samsung Health Stack 1.0, an open-source project designed to aid digital health researchers. The tool will allow researchers to build new digital health solutions on the Android and Wear OS operating systems. The stack includes a backend web portal designed to make digital health development easier, according to their news release.
Read full Samsung press release here >>
Policy and Regulatory Updates
Medicaid Redetermination Begins In Early April
Starting April 1, states have begun the process of determining Medicaid eligibility for existing beneficiaries. Approximately 18 million individuals are predicted to lose Medicaid eligibility as the Families Coronavirus Response Act, which allowed Medicaid/CHIP enrollees to maintain insurance coverage, officially began to wind down. The articles dives deeper into what this means for patients.
Read the full WorkWeek article here >>
HIPAA Enforcement Discretion to End With Covid-19 Public Health Emergency
The HIPAA enforcement discretion that was implemented for the COVID-19 public health emergency will expire May 11, when the PHE ends. However, health care providers will have until August 9th to comply with the HIPAA rules with respect to telehealth.
Industry Conversations
20 Hospitals, Systems Ranked On Digital Health Performance
Hospitals and health systems across the nation have widely adopted digital health tools, but not all of them are performing the same. This list of 20 hospitals and health systems by Becker’s Health IT and data from Galen Growth and Finn Partners ranks them from best to worst. They are measured by their digital health portfolio, companies' performance and fitness, financial strength and well-being, sector and subcategory health, and ability to solve healthcare pain points. Keep reading to see the full list.
Read the full Becker’s Health IT list here >>
How Asynchronous Telehealth Is Transforming Care
In an article for Medical Economics, Christina Chen, MD, discusses how implementing an asynchronous telehealth solution is a way to address the age-old and new challenges of healthcare. Dr. Chen sees asynchronous telehealth as a solution to improving patient access to care, relieving administrative burdens and burnout and more.
Read the full Medical Economics article here >>
Growth and innovation
UCHealth and Intermountain Healthcare Launch Partnership to Improve Health Outcomes and Reduce Costs
Utah-based health system Intermountain Healthcare has announced plans to partner with Colorado-based UCHealth in a joint venture to form a clinically integrated network. The CIN includes 700+ primary care physicians, hundreds of clinics, hospitals and specialist support. Over time, the goal is to accelerate the transition to value-based care in Colorado with an initial target of 300,000 residents.
Read full WorkWeek article here >>
WeightWatchers Stock Soars After Telehealth Deal Closes
Shares of WW International, or better known as WeightWatchers, soared in early April after the diet company said it had closed a deal to buy digital health company Sequence. The acquisition moves WW into a hot market for diabetes and obesity drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Read the full The Wall Street Journal article >>
Lehigh Valley Streamlines Ed Triage With Virtual Docs And Nurses
The health system implemented a virtual nurse and virtual triage program designed to get patients moving through the emergency department (ED) process sooner. The patients are virtually triaged, with appropriate tests ordered, all before the patient is roomed in the ED. The article further explains how the telehealth program was developed and its current performance with insight from Joe Tracy, vice president for connected care and innovation.
Read the full Healthcare IT News article here >>
OpenLoop News and Content
OpenLoop Acquires Imaging Panda
This acquisition allows OpenLoop to continue to expand its suite of innovative solutions and aligns with their mission of enabling convenient access to quality care for patients in all 50 states. OpenLoop clients will enjoy Imaging Panda’s streamlined image ordering and facility coordination with automated results notifications for fast, full-service support in one easy-to-use portal.
Read the full press release here >>
OpenLoop Earns LegitScript Certification
OpenLoop, an expert in nationwide, full-stack telehealth support services, announces their Healthcare Merchant Certification from LegitScript. This certification allows OpenLoop to continue to raise the bar in digital health delivery for their clients and clinicians with one of the highest levels of commercial integrity validation.
Read the full press release here >>
Leveraging RPM Devices for Virtual Weight Management
RPM devices allow clinicians to monitor, collect and analyze real-time patient data. Leveraging these devices in a virtual weight management program can make a significant impact on a patient’s weight loss journey as well as reduce long-term obesity related diseases. Discover the types of RPM devices best suited for weight loss and how to introduce them in your patient program.
Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>
Can AI Help Treat Mental Health Disorders?
Smart technology may be the key towards better mental health care with its process automation and machine learning technology. Discover how AI technology can help providers meet demand, automate administrative processes and help with early detection.