Recent Telehealth Trends, Insights and News - June 2023

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 Doximity’s recent 2023 “State of Telemedicine Report”, how the CONNECT For Health Act will affect telehealth companies, Medicaid cuts and how digital health can help older adults age-in-place.

Technology, Insights and News

88% Of Physicians Say Telehealth Increases Access To Care - Becker's Hospital Review

Doximity released its 2023 "State of Telemedicine Report," which analyzed the adoption of its telemedicine tools from 1,200 of its physician users and surveyed physicians about their experiences with telemedicine. The report revealed telehealth was able to reduce no-show rates for 61% of providers, improve or be on par with in-person treatment adherence, 83% found telehealth useful in enhancing continuity of care and more.

Read the full Becker’s Hospital Review article here >>

Study: Telehealth’s Growth During The Pandemic Allowed Mental Health Care Accessibility To Take A Step Forward

In a first-of-its-kind study, Yusen Zhai, Ph.D used the difference-in-difference approach, a quasi-experimental design, and discovered that overall mental health care accessibility took a step forward during the pandemic due to telehealth. The study also identified increasing accessibility issues among racial and ethnic minorities. Read on to learn more about the study and its findings.  

Read full UAB article here >>

Primary Care Practices Identify Needed Improvements For Telemedicine

Qualitative data provided by 87 primary care practices in New York and Florida revealed that while telehealth experiences differed on the basis of pre-pandemic clinician and practice familiarity with telehealth, varying state regulations during the public health emergency, the lack of formal guidelines and physician burnout affected how quickly telemedicine offerings matured within practices.

Read the full Healthcare IT News article here >>

Policy and Regulatory Updates

The Connect For Health Act Is Reintroduced, Again

Previously introduced in 2021, the CONNECT For Health Act has been reintroduced to address the need for permanent telehealth flexibilities and expanded coverage through Medicare. The bill would also amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act in several ways. Keep reading to learn more.

Read the full Healthcare IT News article here >>

Biden Admin Implores States to Slow Medicaid Cuts After More Than 1M Enrollees Dropped

More than a million Americans have lost coverage through the program for low-income and disabled Americans in the past several weeks, following the end of pandemic protections on April 1, according to the latest Medicaid renewal data from more than 20 states. Read on to learn the optional steps states can take to ensure qualified coverage. 

Read the full KFF article here >>

Industry Conversations

Blue Shield Of California Panelists Discuss How Telehealth Can Drive Health Equity

While telehealth has made progress in health equity, there is still more to be done. In a panel discussion hosted by Blue Shield of California, industry professionals acknowledge some of telehealth’s shortcomings (for example, language barriers) but are optimistic for the future of digital health and health equity. 

Read the full Blue Shield of California article here >>

How Remote Patient Monitoring Is Changing Chronic Disease Management

One of the major drivers of remote patient monitoring (RPM) adoption has been its use in chronic care management. This podcast by Healthcare Exec Intelligence discusses popular RPM tools for chronic care, barriers to reimbursement and accessibility, aging-in-place strategies and more.

Hear the full HealthExec Intelligence podcast here >>

More Older Adults Plan to Use Digital Health Technologies as They 'Age in Place'

The aging population has been a large topic of discussion for healthcare professionals. How to accommodate and provide quality care while a majority of the population start needing increased health services is a problem that needs a solution. Thankfully, a recent U.S. News and World report shows more older adults plan on using digital health technology tools in order to age-in-place.

Read the full Managed Healthcare Executive article here >>

Growth and Innovation

Cleveland Clinic To Outfit New $80m Hospital With Telehealth Technology

Cleveland Clinic's new $80 million hospital in Mentor, Ohio, will have telehealth technology installed in 75 inpatient and outpatient rooms, which will allow patients to consult remotely with physicians from different locations.

Read the full Becker’s Hospital Review news summary here >> 

The European Commission And Who Launch Landmark Digital Health Initiative To Strengthen Global Health Security

WHO will take up the European Union (EU) system of digital COVID-19 certification to establish a global system that will help facilitate global mobility and protect citizens across the world from on-going and future health threats (including pandemics). This is the first building block of the WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN) that will develop a wide range of digital products to deliver better health for all.

Read the full WHO article here >>

Cedars-Sinai Launches Virtual Second Opinion Services in 6 States

Launched by Cedars-Sinai, a telehealth-based service known as the Virtual Second Opinion Program aims to assist patients needing cardiac, spine or gynecologic care through second-opinion consultations with specialists and virtual education resources. In order to guide patient decisions, this program allows patients to communicate with a nurse coordinator within 24 hours of requesting services.

Read the full mHealth Intelligence article here >>

OpenLoop News and Resources

How the CONNECT for Health Act Will Affect Telehealth Companies

Currently, telehealth flexibilities and waivers have been extended by the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022 until December 31, 2024—a temporary fix. The CONNECT Act, first introduced in 2021, is a more permanent solution to the future use of virtual care in health practices. Read on to learn more about how the legislation will affect telehealth companies.

Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>

Outsourcing Your RCM: 5 Reasons It’s a Good Idea

The revenue cycle is complex and often full of inefficiencies, especially with the introduction of telehealth, yet its management is integral to the business of healthcare. Finding that perfect balance between the quality of patient care and the cost to provide that patient with care can be a challenge. One way healthcare leaders are combating this is by outsourcing their RCM. Learn the 5 reasons why outsourcing your RCM might be a good idea.

Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>