Recent Telehealth Trends, Insights and News - August 2023
Overprescribing of ADHD Medication, Value in Health Care Act, DEA and telemedicine regulations
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 this month’s August telehealth recap.
Curious about what’s new in telemedicine? Stay up to date on the overprescribing of ADHD medication, introduction of the Value in Health Care Act and the DEA’s public listening sessions on the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine being held in September.
Technology, Insights and News
HHS Launches Digital Health Security Project to Protect Healthcare Infrastructure
In this article by HealthIT Security, it covers the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health’s (ARPA-H) recent formation of the DIGIHEALS project. This project aims to assure patients still receive care even amid a widespread cyberattack on a medical facility. The article further discusses system vulnerabilities the project will target and includes statements from members of the ARPA-H.
Read the full Health IT Security article here >>
Telehealth Didn't Drive Up ADHD Prescriptions At Large Health Centers: Study
The ongoing debate that telehealth enabled the over prescribing of ADHD medication, like Adderall, might finally be quelled. According to a study analyzing 1 million initial patient visits for ADHD and anxiety done by Epic Research, they found little difference in prescribing rates between in-person and virtual visits. Read on to learn more about the study and what’s next.
Read the full Axios article here >>
Policy and Regulatory Updates
New Bipartisan Bill A Crucial Boost To Medicare Value-Based Care
In the AMA’s push towards key legislative changes to help facilitate greater physician participation in alternative payment models (APMs) and accelerate the delivery of high-quality care, a bipartisan bill has been introduced. The Value in Health Care Act would give the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary the authority to further increase the revenue threshold, but at a pace of no more than 5% in any single year.
Read the full AMA article and listen to the podcast here >>
DEA Hosts Public Listening Sessions on Telemedicine Regulations
The Drug Enforcement Administration will host public listening sessions to receive comments from healthcare practitioners, experts, advocates, patients and other members of the public to inform DEA’s regulations on prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine. The listening sessions will be held in person and live streamed with remote participation available September 12-13.
Read the full DEA media advisory here >>
Industry Conversations
How Payers Can Reduce Emergency Department Admission Rates, Costs
Emergency department visits are associated with higher healthcare spending. Something both members and payers want to avoid. On average, a single trip to the emergency room costs $2,453 under a large employer-sponsored health plan. This article goes into how virtual care can help payers see lower ED admissions and healthier patients.
Read the full mHealthIntelligence article here >>
Growth and Innovation
Hey Jane Expands Virtual Services Beyond Abortion Care into Reproductive, Sexual Health
Hey Jane, a telehealth company who gained attention for its abortion services, is now expanding to sexual health. The virtual care company will be offering vaginal infection treatment for UTIs, bacterial vaginosis and herpes in addition to birth control and emergency contraception. Read on to learn more about the company’s next steps.
Read the full MedCity article here >>
Expanding Virtual Care Access for Sexual Assault Survivors in Texas
Over half of women and about 33% of men have experienced sexual violence during their lifetimes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In response, the Texas A&M Health Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing is using telehealth to expand access to trauma-informed care for sexual assault survivors. They’re doing this by connecting rural and critical access hospitals in Texas with sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) and its Assessment and Care for Trauma Survivors (ACTS) Clinic, connecting sexual assault survivors and advanced practice registered nurses.
Read the full mHealthIntelldence article here >>
OpenLoop News and Resources
How the Test-to-Treat Healthcare Model Streamlines Patient Care
As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, hybrid healthcare models have emerged as a solution that melds traditional face-to-face care with innovative technologies. Within the hybrid care model family is test-to-treat, streamlining and simplifying the way care is delivered. OpenLoop sat down with MakoRx founder, Vinay Patel, Pharm.D to learn more about the test-to-treat model and discuss their current point-of-care flagship program with local North Carolina pharmacies.
Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>
How Can Telehealth Help Address an Aging Population?
With integrated, hybrid-care models becoming more commonplace in healthcare organizations, what role will telehealth play in supporting the health needs of an aging U.S. population? To help answer this question, we talked to three virtual care experts at OpenLoop; Chief Medical Officer, Laura Purdy, MD, VP of Clinical Affairs, Mohit Joshipura, MD and VP of Clinical Operations, Lanty O’Connor.
Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>
Telehealth Company Experiences Continued Growth in First Half of 2023
OpenLoop, a health tech leader delivering full-stack, white-labeled clinical support to companies nationwide, continues to see major growth in the first half of 2023. The company acquired ReliantMD’s practice group in January, raised $15 million in funding in March, and acquired Imaging Panda, a diagnostic imaging company in April. OpenLoop has also been LegitScript certified and summertime brought multiple awards and recognition.