Virginia Telehealth Network

November 2025 Updates to Medicare Telehealth Policy

Recently, legislative and regulatory changes brought updates to Medicare telehealth policy, including a short-term government funding deal extending key telehealth flexibilities and lasting adjustments released in the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule. Shutdown Deal Extends Temporary Telehealth Flexibilities As part of the agreement that ended the government shutdown, Congress approved and the […]

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Medicare’s Reduced Telehealth Coverage Puts Access and Care at Risk 

It’s been a few weeks since Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired, and across the U.S., patients are experiencing the effects of these changes.   Northern California resident, Charis Hill, learned on Oct. 7 that Medicare would no longer cover telehealth visits. Hill, who had regular virtual sessions with their doctor to manage ankylosing spondylitis, was told to […]

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New Medicare Telehealth Guidance from CMS

Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released several important updates regarding Medicare telehealth policies following the expiration of legislative waivers on September 30, 2025. These changes, outlined in a special edition of the Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Newsletter and an updated Telehealth FAQ, address claims processing, payment policies, and in-person […]

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Virginia Medicaid Announces Telehealth Flexibility Continues

On September 30, some of the federal COVID-era telehealth waivers expired, resulting in a rollback of coverage for several telehealth services under Medicare. This shift has left many providers and patients uncertain about what virtual care options would remain available. “The good news: there was no opposition in the House to the bill/continuing resolution that […]

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Breaking Language Barriers: Training Interpreters for Behavioral Health

When Dilshad Charania immigrated from India 25 years ago, she knew she wanted to use her native language as an asset. After working as a court interpreter for several years, she was introduced to interpreting in the behavioral health setting in 2017.  “That was a life changing decision for me because this training was organized […]

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Preparing for the End of Telehealth Flexibilities

Updated: 10/3/2025. For the most recent information about the telehealth cliff and how to prepare, visit the Telehealth Resource Center.  At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress and federal agencies moved quickly to relax restrictions on telehealth. Providers were allowed to see patients across state lines, prescribe medications via telehealth, and bill Medicare and […]

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Southwest Virginia’s “Blueprint” for a Healthier Future Includes Focus on Telehealth

Facing a sobering assessment of the health disparities experienced by residents of Southwest Virginia – a region that holds some of the highest mortality rates in the country – a coalition of organizations has developed a comprehensive plan for improving regional wellbeing. Called the Blueprint for Health Improvement and Health-Enabled Prosperity, the 42-page report identified […]

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What’s Next for Medicare Telehealth? A Look at the CONNECT Act and Telehealth Coverage Act of 2025

As temporary COVID-era telehealth flexibilities approach expiration in fall 2025, federal lawmakers are debating how to shape the future of Medicare telehealth coverage. The Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) is tracking 20 bills that could change how telehealth is reimbursed under Medicare. Two of the most comprehensive proposals are the CONNECT for Health Act […]

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Gen Z and Telehealth

The Pew Research Center defines members of Gen Z as anyone born between 1997 and 2012, making the average age for the second-youngest generation between 13 and 28 years old. Because Gen Z grew up with the internet as part of their daily lives, these young people are often referred to as “digital natives” who […]

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Understanding Virginia’s DD Waivers and Telehealth

Virginia’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers provide critical supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and fund a wide range of services — from personal care and job coaching to behavioral therapy and residential support — tailored to each individual’s needs. More providers are using telehealth to deliver services that used to be in person. […]

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Expanding Primary Care with Telehealth and Primary Care Medical Technicians

With many areas of the country confronting physician shortages, particularly in rural America, a growing number of states are dropping the requirement that doctors who received their medical training overseas complete a U.S. residency before they can obtain a full medical license. Virginia is among nine states since 2023 that no longer require a second […]

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New Insights into Private Payer Telehealth Policies from the Center for Connected Health Policy

The Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) recently reviewed and summarized telehealth reimbursement policies from two major private insurers: UnitedHealthcare (UHC) and Aetna. Using publicly available information, the analysis highlights key features across both payers, offering insight into the shifting landscape of private telehealth coverage. UnitedHealthcare (UHC) UHC’s Telehealth/Virtual Health Policy applies to all commercial […]

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Best Practices for Virtual Therapy Sessions

Telehealth has helped connect countless individuals with mental health services. While virtual therapy is convenient and accessible for many patients, providers should consider that some people may be apprehensive due to limited experience with technology, concerns around confidentiality, or the lack of the personal connection that in-person sessions can provide.  For Mental Health Awareness Month, […]

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Online Tool Helps Providers Address Social Drivers of Health for Patients

True patient care goes beyond an exam room, diagnoses, or treatment plan. Social drivers of health have a profound impact on a person’soverall wellbeing, and factors like access to nutritious food, stable housing, reliable transportation, and economic stability often determine how successful a treatment plan will be. To support providers, community health workers, educators, and […]

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Resources for Enhancing Access to Quality Care via Telehealth

We’ve seen many instances where telehealth has proven to be an essential tool for connecting patients of all different walks of life to quality care. As part of one of VTN’s central initiatives, we aim to deliver resources to Virginia’s network of health care professionals to help providers in doing so.   From addressing the unique […]

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Medicare Telehealth Changes: Impacts, Challenges, and Strategies for Virginia Providers and Patients

During the Public Health Emergency, Congress enacted several temporary measures that waived certain restrictions concerning telehealth coverage under Medicare, greatly improving health care access for Medicare patients. While these waivers have been extended several times since their adoption, it is possible they will expire in 2025. Originally, Medicare telehealth waivers were set to expire on […]

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2025 General Assembly Sine Die and Governor’s Update

Photo Caption: Dr. Karen Rheuban, VTN Board Chair, testifies during the 2025 Virginia General Assembly. Updated: March 26, 2025 The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its 45-day legislative session on the evening of February 22, 2025. Over the course of the session, the House of Delegates and Senate introduced a total of 1,994 bills – 1,236 […]

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School-Based Telehealth Clinics Launch in Hampton and Harrisonburg

For many families, accessing timely health care isn’t as simple as making an appointment. Working parents may struggle to take time off, transportation challenges can make doctor visits difficult and long wait times for appointments can mean kids may go without the care they need. These barriers are especially tough on families with school-age children, […]

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2025 Virginia General Assembly: Telehealth-Related Bills and Budget Amendments

Updated – February 20, 2025 In the 2025 Virginia General Assembly, legislators introduced numerous telehealth-related bills and budget items, driven by the work of the Joint Commission of Health Care, the House Select Committee on Rural and Small-Town Healthcare, and other legislative committees and commissions. While unfortunately, not every initiative expanding telehealth services was possible […]

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Benchmarking EMS Engagement in Telehealth

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are critical in providing timely and life-saving care to patients in emergency situations. As the health care landscape evolves, telehealth can play a vital role in expediting patient care during emergency situations. For instance, UVA Health utilizes a telestroke program that allows for real-time stroke evaluation, improving care efficiency during transport. […]

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Advancements in Telehealth: A Recap of Progress in 2024

More and more individuals and organizations are recognizing telehealth’s potential, boosted by a Yale study validating that it offers the same effectiveness as in-person care in certain scenarios. This growing acceptance and application were evident by the various causes being advanced to support its growth. As the year comes to a close, let’s reflect on […]

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Medicare Waivers Set to Expire May Be Extended Through 2026

UPDATED (12/18/2024): Federal waivers for Medicare telehealth policies were set to expire on December 31, 2024. This week, Congress reached a tentative budget deal, largely offsetting the 2.8% Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cut, providing a 2.5% payment increase while extending telehealth flexibilities and addressing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).  Extended telehealth flexibilities include removing geographic requirements, […]

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DEA Grants Third Temporary Extension of Flexibilities for Tele-Prescribing Controlled Substances

UPDATE (January 27, 2025) — According to the Center for Connected Health Policy, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released three new rules impacting prescribing controlled substances via telehealth, including the long-awaited regulations regarding establishing a telehealth prescribing registration process that was first mandated by Congress back in 2008. While the registration regulation is a proposed […]

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Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Delivery

Across industries, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we operate. For health care providers, deploying AI in their practice can enhance patient outcomes and streamline everyday clinical operations. However, it’s also important to be aware of the concerns surrounding AI in health care, including data privacy, biases, and regulatory and ethical issues.   During the […]

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Best Practices for Creating a Safe Space in a Virtual Therapy Session

In today’s digital age, virtual therapy has become an essential tool for providing mental health support. While it offers convenience and accessibility, it also presents unique challenges in creating the same level of emotional safety and connection as in-person sessions. For mental health providers, ensuring that patients feel secure, supported, and understood in a virtual […]

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Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance Receives Inaugural VTN Innovator Award

During the 2024 Virginia Telehealth Network Summit, Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance (BRTA) received the inaugural VTN Innovator Award for its work to expand access to behavioral health care in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck regions of rural Virginia.   The VTN Innovator Award celebrates the unique and groundbreaking ways health care providers, clinics, and organizations […]

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Advancing Rural and Small-Town Health Care

Earlier this year under the leadership of House Speaker Don Scott, the Virginia House of Delegates launched the Select Committee for Rural and Small-Town Health Care to study challenges faced by rural counties and small towns in accessing quality health care. The committee is tasked with developing actionable recommendations by November 15, 2024, that will […]

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Best Practices for Equitable Patient Support

As the conversation around health equity grows louder, it is imperative to understand the unique challenges patients face and explore actionable solutions to bridge the gap. We recently shared best practices for building a foundation for equitable initiatives through learning and understanding. While awareness and knowledge are essential, meaningful change requires taking concrete actions to […]

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Approaching Equity in Your Practice

Each July, as part of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, health care organizations and professionals bring awareness to the unique challenges Black, Indigenous, and people of color face in accessing mental health care. During this observance, those in the field can advocate for mental well-being within their communities by sharing information that destigmatizes therapy and […]

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CMS Issues Proposed Rule Governing Telehealth for 2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently put forth a proposed rule that would extend certain telehealth waivers through 2025. Among them: Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics would continue to be able to bill for non-behavioral health telehealth services. Providers would continue to be allowed to report enrolled practice addresses […]

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Telehealth Continues to Offer More Accessible Care According to Virginia’s Health Care Providers

As part of ongoing efforts to monitor the impact of telehealth on Virginia’s patients and health care providers, the Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) conducts a periodic “Benchmarking Telehealth Usage in Virginia” survey of actively practicing licensed health care providers across the Commonwealth. This research effort offers context regarding Virginia’s current and future needs with virtual […]

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Successes and barriers in virtual reproductive health care in Virginia

Birth in Color Telehealth Listening Project Report Cover Photo. Source: Birth in Color Like many states, Virginia has vast deserts when it comes to OBGYN and reproductive health care, causing disparities in access to care for many. To gain a comprehensive understanding about the effectiveness in using telehealth in reproductive and maternal health care, reproductive […]

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Mental Health Awareness Month: How Telehealth is Breaking Down Barriers to Accessible Care

Mental Health Awareness Month is in full swing and with it, a reminder of the importance of maintaining mental wellness. Across the country mental health conditions are a persistent challenge with more than 20% of adults (approximately 50 million) experiencing a mental illness every year, according to  the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Factors […]

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As telemedicine has evolved, clarity on coverage has become all the more important

There’s an age-old paradigm when it comes to the adoption of new technology. As users move to embrace the ease and convenience that comes with technological progress, the speed at which the technology is being adopted often outpaces the practical implications around it. That leaves policymakers as well as those involved in the whole structural […]

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Community Connections Hold Key to Expanding Telehealth Access, Report Says

Over the last several years, patients and providers alike have recognized the efficiency of telehealth, and today it holds particular promise for the one in nine Virginians with a disability. However, the adoption of telehealth across the Commonwealth often faces hurdles due to the limited availability of broadband access. Four years ago, an estimated half-million […]

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Laying the Groundwork for Virtual Substance Use Disorder Treatment Models in Correctional Facilities

Across the country, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) continues to be one of the most prevalent challenges faced by many: in 2023, 15.35% of Americans were reported to be battling substance use disorder according to data from Mental Health America. Of those, 93.5% did not receive any form of treatment. Stigma, cost, and geographical barriers have […]

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Considerations for Patient Safety in Telehealth Delivery

The swift growth of telehealth rapidly transformed health care delivery. Flexibilities during the Public Health Emergency enabled providers to adopt new ways in how telehealth technologies can be used, ranging from text messaging portals and eConsultations to video sessions with patients or other providers.  As providers and patients alike quickly adjusted to new models of […]

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Cultivating Inclusive Telehealth Experiences for Patients with Different Backgrounds

As telehealth has revolutionized the way health care services are delivered, providing convenient and accessible options for patients, the importance of considering cultural nuance in care delivery is just as important in virtual care as it is in-person. According to national survey trends in telehealth from the HHS’ Office of Health Policy, telehealth utilization was […]

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EMS and Telehealth: UVA Health Enhances Workforce Development, Immediate Care for Stroke Patients

According to the Virginia Department of Health, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in Virginia. Most stroke patients do not arrive to the hospital in time, leading to increased death and permanent disability. UVA Health’s SCOPES (Strengthening Community Paramedicine and Emergency Services) program aims to bridge the gap by enhancing telehealth capabilities of […]

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Strengthening Virginia’s Mental Health Workforce with Telehealth

The breadth and depth of Virginia’s mental health crisis is harrowing. According to Mental Health America, Virginia is in the bottom-third of states when it comes to access to mental health services. Additionally, the latest data from the Health Resources & Services Administration states that every locality throughout the state is experiencing a shortage of […]

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Telehealth Triumphs: A Recap of Wins in 2023

The year 2023 has proven to be pivotal for telehealth, as legislators in Virginia and across the country took significant steps to ensure continued flexibility and encourage the use of telehealth services. We’re grateful to work alongside many leaders at the forefront of this movement towards a shared goal of enhancing innovative health care solutions. […]

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Optimizing Care for Patients with Limited English Proficiency

Telehealth can help in connecting patients of all different backgrounds to essential services, but one critical barrier that exists is accessing care for patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Identifying solutions can be challenging but two free and charitable clinics in Richmond have identified ways to get care to these individuals. At CrossOver Healthcare Ministry […]

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DEA Grants Second Temporary Extension of Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescribing Controlled Substances

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced another extension of the temporary telehealth rules for prescribing controlled substances. The first extension was announced earlier this year, just ahead of the end of the Public Health Emergency. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key points of this extension and the implications for health care providers […]

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Benefits of Telehealth and Needed Areas of Improvement, According to Virginia’s Licensed Providers

Each year, the Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) conducts an annual survey to better understand how Virginia’s licensed providers are using telehealth and identify areas they feel can improve. More than 10,000 health care professionals took part in both the inaugural survey in 2021 and the latest survey, which was released in 2023. This year, we found […]

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The Role of Telehealth in Virginia’s Rural Health Plan

Q&A: w/ Heather Anderson, Virginia Department of Health When the Virginia State Office of Rural Health began taking steps toward updating the Commonwealth’s Rural Health Plan, it took a step back to ask a foundational question: What is a healthy community? The answer to that query has helped to shape the 2022-2026 Virgina Rural Health […]

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Breaking the Stigma: Supporting Access to Mental Health Care for Southwest Virginians

Nicole (Nikki) Kemp, NP-C of Bernard Healthcare Center in Rocky Mount, Va. is providing hope for her patients by talking openly about how important mental health care is to meeting the overall health needs of her patients. Earlier this year, Bernard Healthcare Center began offering free teletherapy to eligible patients of the clinic through the […]

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Sen. Favola Shares Current and Future State of Telehealth in Virginia

During a recent VTN webinar Senator Barbara Favola shared insight on the current state of telehealth legislation in Virginia and where the legislature could take us in the future. She is a champion of human rights and an advocate for increasing access to quality care in Virginia via telehealth. “The General Assembly has really embraced […]

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WEBINAR RECORDING: The State of Telehealth in Virginia with Senator Barbara Favola

August 10, 2023 at 12:30pm – 1:30pm During this webinar event, Senator Favola shared perspective on the current state of telehealth in Virginia, the current challenges we face, and where the legislature could take us in the future. Attendees submitted questions for the Senator ahead of time. This virtual event was open to the public […]

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Expanded Broadband Access Will be Game-Changer for Telehealth in Rural Virginia

President Biden announced a massive new federal law that promises to give millions of Americans – finally – access to broadband. It’s an initiative with wide-ranging implications. Just as the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 connected rural America to the electrical power grid, bringing electricity into their homes for the first time, the Broadband Equity, […]

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UVA Health Helping Ensure Quality Telehealth Care for Older Adults

Telehealth among older adults increased from 13,000 weekly telehealth visits pre-pandemic to a near 1.7 million weekly visits during April 2020, the majority of which were by Medicare beneficiaries. Earlier this year, the University of Virginia Health System along with the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center at UVA Health, as well as other partners, launched the […]

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Up to The Minute: PHE and Telehealth News – June 2023

As the dust settles from the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE), vast changes in health policy continue to follow. This month’s round-up focuses on the effect the end of the PHE has had on health insurance, the role of telehealth in curbing mental health struggles, the cost of employer-sponsored telehealth versus in-person care, […]

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Enhancing Telehealth for Patients who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Felecia Smith’s primary job is to help ensure that individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing can get access to information. Her main objective for becoming a Virginia Telehealth Network member is to educate health care providers of their obligations to Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients and the ways in which their practices […]

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Up to The Minute: PHE Updates and Telehealth News

This round-up is dedicated to the latest news about telehealth use, the expiration of the Public Health Emergency (PHE), and the importance of maintaining access to telehealth moving forward. Below you will find new reports on how increased telehealth access is cutting health care costs in rural areas, information about a new bill that will […]

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Mental Health Awareness Month: Increasing Mental Health Resources

As we approach the end of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, it’s important to reflect on the breadth and depth of mental health issues across the country. Virtually every adult agrees the country is facing a mental health crisis, as nearly a third of U.S. adults report feelings of depression and/or anxiety. Younger generations […]

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Tele-Prescribing Flexibilities Extended Just Ahead of PHE Expiration

Two days before a proposed rule change by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulating the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine was set to take effect, the agency issued a temporary rule to extend COVID-era telehealth prescribing flexibilities for another six months, through November 11, 2023.   Apparently, the DEA was listening. The agency received some […]

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In the News: Permanent and Proposed Rules Regarding End of PHE

Continued access to telehealth services will remain a priority for health care providers across the country when the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends on May 11. This news roundup highlights extended legislative flexibilities regarding telehealth in Virginia, how telehealth has helped reduce fatal overdose risk, a new bill seeking to eliminate deductibles and increase telehealth, […]

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Enhancing Virginia’s State Telehealth Plan

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) released Virginia’s first State Telehealth Plan in 2021 to promote an integrated approach to the introduction and use of telehealth services in the Commonwealth. By law, the Plan includes provisions for the use of remote patient monitoring services and store-and-forward technologies as well as the promotion of the inclusion […]

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2023 VTN Summit Summary Report

The Who 105 registrants representing all areas of the Commonwealth met on March 15, 2023 in Norfolk, Virginia in a special pre-session of the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center’s annual summit. Attendees included clinicians, state leaders, health system administrators, health plan leaders, public policy advocates, and industry representatives. An additional 11 Virginians attended a virtual discussion […]

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How the End of Emergency Provisions Will Impact Telehealth

During the height of the pandemic, telehealth quickly became the vehicle of choice for the medical community, and the declaration of a national health emergency gave federal agencies, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance, increased flexibility in addressing people’s health needs. The Public Health Emergency (PHE) will soon expire, and with it, most of […]

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Expanded Telehealth Services Are ‘Here to Stay’ in Virginia as Public Health Emergency Ends – Virginia Mercury

Virginia Mercury – 4.3.2023 As the federal public health emergency spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic expires this May, so will waivers that expanded the amount of health care services patients can access through telehealth. But Virginia officials say most of the services the waivers allowed, such as being able to have virtual appointments instead of […]

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In the News: Recent Studies Show Telehealth’s Role in Meeting Emerging Health Care Needs

This news roundup highlights various new studies about behavioral health needs and the industry’s effort to meet new demands, a new statistic showing the use of telehealth services by individuals who travel, a spike in telehealth care use for marginalized groups in the United States, and the concern for telehealth service apps. New Report Calls […]

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What the latest DEA Proposed Rule Means for Telemedicine Prescribing of Controlled Substances – Nixon Gwilt Law

Late last Friday, the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) released a proposed rule to make permanent some of the flexibilities allowed during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for telemedicine companies whose providers prescribe controlled substances. In a recent post, our friends at Nixon Gwilt Law Group share updates on: What these proposed changes are; How […]

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In the News: How will the end of the PHE impact telehealth policies?

Telehealth continues to modify and adapt with changes at the state and federal level. This news roundup highlights Virginia legislators’ push to extend telehealth services, what’s next for telehealth at the federal level when the public health emergency ends, and various telehealth initiatives sprouting throughout Virginia to address gaps in health care. Senator Warner and […]

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How Virginia Health Catalyst is Expanding Teledentistry in Virginia’s Public Schools

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Untreated cavities can lead to pain, infection, missed school time, and even trouble eating, talking, or socializing. Despite the importance of oral health, not all children have equal access to dental care. But now, new advances in virtual dentistry is helping change that. […]

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VTN Now Hiring: Operations Manager (30 hours; employee position)

The Operations Manager position is a remote, non-exempt position with flexible schedule up to 30 hours per week. The Operations Manager reports to the Executive Director while also supporting and collaborating with the entire organization to manage critical core functions of the Virginia Telehealth Network’s operations. To view the full job description, qualifications, compensation, and […]

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In the News: New telemental health program seeing patients in Virginia

It’s been a busy news cycle in December with updates and announcements related to telehealth in Virginia and beyond, including legislative news that could impact accessibility to care, brand new virtual mental health services as part of a statewide initiative, and Governor Glenn Youngkin’s multi-million-dollar behavioral health plan. Read more in our last edition of […]

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Fauquier Free Clinic first to launch virtual mental health pilot

New State Initiative Begins Offering Free Telemental Health Services to Patients of Fauquier Free Clinic Five additional clinics across Virginia prepare for pilot launch in January The Virginia Telemental Health Initiative (VTMHI), a new pro bono program that provides free and convenient telemental health services to eligible Virginians who are uninsured or underinsured, started this […]

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Federal Audit Shows Telehealth Providers Complying with Medicare Billing Practices

The spike in Medicare claims for telemedicine appointments drew the attention of federal watchdog agencies. Regulators wanted to be sure that billing practices in the telehealth realm were following prescribed guidelines, especially given the fact that so many providers were still relatively new to telemedicine protocols. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) undertook […]

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In the News: Advancements in Telehealth

While telehealth may have been perceived as a temporary fix during the height of the pandemic, we’re seeing a push for it to become a standard for receiving care as well as new technologies to support these exciting next steps. This month’s news roundup includes telehealth for managing hypertension and reducing appointment no-shows; virtual care […]

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Special Offer: Telehealth Cardiac Rehabilitation Training

ATTENTION ALL #VIRGINIA HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS: Why should learning the newest practices in health care be inconvenient? Busy health care professionals should be able to learn the newest methods in their field without all of the hassle. Telehealth Village, a provider of accredited online education, is offering some outstanding training opportunities for Virginia providers! Telehealth Cardiac […]

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Supporting Roanoke’s exploding demand while growing recourses

Telehealth served not only as a solution for Bradley Free Clinic, and many other clinics and providers, to be able to see existing mental health patients during the onset of the pandemic, but it allowed Bradley to support its community when the demand for mental health skyrocketed. In just over two years, Bradley increased its mental health […]

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DMAS Telehealth Provider Memo Up for Public Comment

The draft Transportation Provider Manual (Chapter V) regarding reimbursement of an originating site fee to EMS agencies is now available on the DMAS website for public comment and review until September 21, 2022. A draft of the manual and policy updates can be found here. Public comment can be submitted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall […]

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Dental Care During Class: Community Health Center of the New River Valley Brings Teledentistry to Public School Systems

In the New River Valley region, one out of six people don’t have access to regular transportation. Additionally, the area isn’t abundant with medical or dental providers, and many practices don’t accept Medicaid, specifically in the dental field. To help address these issues, the Community Health Center of the New River Valley (CHCNRV) launched a […]

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Telehealth for Substance Use Disorder

From remote patient monitoring to teletherapy, minor medical visits and more, we’ve seen the versatility in which telehealth can be used across health care systems. And it became a saving grace for treatment and recovery for people with substance use disorders, especially during the pandemic. According to the CDC, 13% of Americans reported starting or […]

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In the News – The Need for Telemental Health Care

Over the last two years, concerns about mental health and substance abuse have grown, and issues around accessibility and affordability continue to be pervasive. Now, insurance companies and industry leaders are trying to adapt. The latest equity and telehealth news round-up highlights insurance coverage of telemental health, telemental diagnoses, changes in Medicaid and mental health […]

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An Unlikely Legacy of Telemental Health from far Southwest Virginia

In marketing speak, Rick Mitchell is what we call an “early adopter,” the kind of consumer that is often a pioneer in embracing new technologies. They’re the folks who aren’t afraid to try new products and then let the rest of us know that it’s fine to jump in after them, that the water is […]

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Telehealth in the News: The Versatility of Telehealth

As we enter the next phase of the pandemic, telehealth remains a prevalent tool in increasing access to various types of care. The latest equity and telehealth news round-up covers tips for reducing clinician burnout, how telehealth is being used in emergency medicine, tools experts are using to assess digital health literacy, why teletherapy is […]

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Expanding and Integrating Care through Telehealth

By now you’ve heard the story about the healthcare provider whose world turned topsy-turvy during the pandemic, only to realize that employing telehealth into their practice could transport them into a world approaching normalcy.  Then, two years later they come to realize that telemedicine has so many advantages that they decide to make it a […]

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VTN accepted into National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Workforce Challenges Learning Collaborative

Virginia Telehealth Network has been accepted into the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Workforce Challenges Learning Collaborative as part of its Virginia Telemental Health Initiative (VTMHI) pilot program. The goal of this collaborative is to develop and scale innovative solutions for addressing the workforce barriers that integrated care organizations face from the on-going pandemic as […]

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VTN Study Points to Importance of Telehealth for Increasing Access to Mental Health Services

Virginia Telehealth Network’s Benchmarking Telehealth Usage in Virginia survey revealed the many benefits of telehealth, like increased flexibility for providers and patients. Another important benefit the survey findings illustrate is how telehealth is increasing mental health access for Virginians. The survey report finds that 97% of behavioral and mental health providers in the state expanded […]

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Telehealth in the News: Updates in Legislation and Increased Access to Care

As telehealth’s barriers become more evident, medical leaders and politicians are coming up with solutions to address these challenges. The latest equity and telehealth news round-up covers legislation that would extend COVID-19 emergency telehealth waivers, how telehealth increased access to follow up-visits for Black patients, a Virginia free clinic receiving funding for telehealth reach, and […]

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CareQuest Seeks to Understand Teledentistry Landscape with Brief Survey

In partnership with Community Catalyst, Families USA, and Tremont Strategies Group, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health (CareQuest Institute) is seeking to better understand the policy and political environments surrounding teledentistry at the state level. To that end, they have developed a brief survey for key stakeholders in a small group of states.  Two of those […]

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