Health policy advisors and advocates are shifting their focus to the possibilities of telehealth, which would allow physicians to treat patients virtually. Health experts suggest that this emerging health frontier could be promising, especially for patients who are immobilized or who live in remote locations.
Health policy advisors and advocates are shifting their focus to the possibilities of telehealth, which would allow physicians to treat patients virtually. Health experts suggest that this emerging health frontier could be promising, especially for patients who are immobilized or who live in remote locations.
However, current health law and policy initiatives have yet to address telehealth regulations. Medical license permissions can vary by state, and some laws prohibit the administration of medicine without an in-person visit. As well, there are no guarantees for reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
“Telehealth services are rapidly becoming a very important part of healthcare delivery under the new paradigm, but we unfortunately don’t have a regulatory environment or policy environment that accommodates the new technology,” said Thomas A. Daschle, former Senate Majority Leader from South Dakota and current policy advisor. “It hasn’t been changed in about 15 years.”
Ed Martinez, CIO at the Miami Children’s Hospital in Florida, said that telehealth enables their physicians to provide services as far as Peru, Costa Rica, and even on cruise ships. As well, the technology can help the 650 staff avoid using higher-cost services at the hospital, services like trauma helicopters.
"We want to help the patient recover wherever he or she is" said Mr Marinez. “We're really taking this to another level really, really quick.”
However, telehealth can still be an expensive option for patients, even if made available in their area.
“There will always be technological disparities around the country, and in many parts of rural America,” Mr Daschle said. “The cost of equipment, even if it is just a smartphone, is prohibitive. These are all issues that [are] also part of the dialogue.”
Mr Daschle is a member of the Alliance for Connected Care, which is a coalition currently seeking the creation of legislation that would promote the acceptance and understanding of telehealth in health systems nationwide.
Around the Web
Daschle, Former Senators Form Alliance to Lobby for New Telehealth Rules
Telehealth Center Gives Miami Pediatricians a Global Reach [mHealth News]
Out With the Stethoscope, In With the Smartphone: How Genomics and Digital Advances Will Reshape Practice [AJMC]
Emily Goldberg Shares Insights as a Genetic Counselor for Breast Cancer Risk Screening
October 30th 2023On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Emily Goldberg, MS, CGC, a genetic counselor at JScreen, breaks down how genetic screening for breast cancer works and why it is so important to increase awareness and education around these screening tools available to patients who may be at risk for cancer.
Listen
What We’re Reading: Affordable Home Care; Mycoplasma Infections Rise; Opioid Crisis Settlement
December 4th 2023Families struggle to find affordable, reliable home health aides; reports of increased pediatric pneumonia cases; legal battle ensues over Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy settlement.
Read More
Oncology Onward: A Conversation With Thyme Care CEO and Cofounder Robin Shah
October 2nd 2023Robin Shah, CEO of Thyme Care, which he founded in 2020 with Bobby Green, MD, president and chief medical officer, joins hosts Emeline Aviki, MD, MBA, and Stephen Schleicher, MD, MBA, to discuss his evolution as an entrepreneur in oncology care innovation and his goal of positively changing how patients experience the cancer system.
Listen
New Data Update Myasthenia Gravis Outcomes for Patients in Australia
December 3rd 2023Patients living with myasthenia gravis in Australia were surveyed their demographic information, clinical features of the autoimmune disease, adverse effects from treatment, and quality of life. Outcomes were compared against 2011 data from Australia and 2019 data from the United States.
Read More
NK Cell Therapy SNK01 Improves Cognitive Function in Alzheimer Disease for up to 11 Weeks
December 3rd 2023Among 10 patients evaluated, compared with their baseline at 1 week after receiving their final dose in the trial, 30% demonstrated clinical improvement on the Alzheimer’s disease composite score.
Read More