Telehealth offers an opportunity to expand access to nutrition care, connecting patients with registered dietitians (RDs) who can help prevent and manage chronic diseases without requiring an in-person visit. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently awarded $5.4 million to 18 organizations through its Telehealth Nutrition Services Network Grant Program. The program aims to […]
Telehealth can expand access to care, particularly for people in rural and underserved communities. But having access to a device or telehealth platform does not always mean someone has the skills or confidence to use it. Anthony Nappi, who has worked with the University of Virginia on telehealth implementation in Southwest Virginia, has seen how […]
Read More… from Why Digital Literacy Matters for Older Adults Using Telehealth
Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program is creating new opportunities to bring care closer to the communities that need it. Through investments in technology, infrastructure, and innovative care models, the program can help rural providers expand how and where care is delivered. Several current funding opportunities may be especially relevant to clinics and organizations using […]
Read More… from Rural Health Transformation: Opportunities for Virginia Providers
Transportation, provider shortages, and limited broadband remain persistent barriers to access in rural communities. To understand how new approaches are addressing these challenges, the Virginia Telehealth Network spoke with Dr. Shamly Abdelfattah of the Appalachian College of Pharmacy, who is helping lead a partnership with Food City pharmacies and UVA Health to bring pharmacy-based telehealth […]
Read More… from Expanding Access Through Pharmacy-Based Telehealth Clinics
Reliable broadband is increasingly essential to how Virginians access education, work, public services, and health care. But having broadband infrastructure in place does not always mean residents have the connectivity or the skills and confidence they need to use it. To better understand how broadband expansion intersects with health care, the Virginia Telehealth Network spoke with […]
Read More… from Beyond Broadband Access: Making Sure Connectivity Works for Communities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed significant changes to Medicare’s Remote Physiologic Monitoring (RPM) and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) policies that could affect providers and patients across Virginia. If finalized as written, the proposals would create new operational and reimbursement barriers that could disrupt established remote monitoring programs, particularly in rural and underserved communities where […]
Read More… from CMS Proposes Changes to Remote Monitoring: What Virginia Providers Need to Know
How Early Collaboration, and NASA, Helped Launch Telehealth in Virginia To help celebrate VTN’s 20th anniversary of advancing telehealth across Virginia, we’re continuing our blog series highlighting founding board members whose early work shaped the organization’s direction. We spoke with Azhar Rafiq, M.D., MBA, MEd, who spent much of his career at Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine before […]
The Virginia Telehealth Network’s (VTN) Benchmarking Telehealth Usage in Virginia survey helps track how virtual care is impacting patients and providers across the Commonwealth. The fourth iteration was conducted between December 20, 2025, and January 30, 2026. Recently published survey results included thousands of open-ended responses from Virginia health care providers. Their feedback revealed overwhelming support for […]
Read More… from What Virginia Providers Are Saying About the Future of Telehealth
To help celebrate VTN’s 20th anniversary of advancing telehealth across the Commonwealth, we’re beginning a new blog series in which we speak with founding board members to learn more about VTN’s inception as well as pivotal moments in the organization’s history. This month, we spoke with Howard Chapman, Jr., Director of Programs and Development at Tri-Area Community Health and VTN’s Board Treasurer. When VTN was established, Howard was the Executive […]
Telehealth policy continues to evolve at both the federal and state levels, and providers across Virginia should expect continued movement in reimbursement and compliance requirements. In the Commonwealth, we are closely monitoring telehealth-related legislation moving through the 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly (read our full legislative update here). In addition to state-level proposals, there have been […]
Read More… from 2026 State and Federal Telehealth Policy Update
In 2026, the Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) marks an incredible milestone: 20 years of advancing telehealth across the Commonwealth. What began as a small group of people asking big questions has grown into a statewide network shaping how care is delivered, accessed, and sustained in Virginia. VTN’s journey is one of collaboration, powered by telehealth […]
Read More… from Celebrating 20 Years of Building Access, Collaboration, and Care
Updated: April 14, 2026 The Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) is actively monitoring legislation during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly that could impact telehealth policy, access to care, and the health care workforce across the Commonwealth. This post serves as a living resource, providing timely updates as bills move through the House and Senate during the […]
Read More… from 2026 General Assembly Telehealth Legislative Updates
Since the November 4, 2025 election in Virginia, there have been several changes to the composition of the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates, along with key appointments within the executive branch. These transitions, driven by special elections, cabinet appointments, and leadership changes, are reshaping the policy environment as the 2026 General Assembly session begins. Senator Ghazala Hashmi […]
Read More… from New Faces at the 2026 Virginia General Assembly and Governor’s Office
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has issued a Fourth Temporary Extension of the COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for the Prescription of Controlled Medications, extending the current telemedicine flexibilities through December 31, 2026. Telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled medications include: A DEA-registered practitioner can prescribe a Schedule II-V controlled substance […]
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 […]
Read More… from November 2025 Updates to Medicare Telehealth Policy
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 […]
Read More… from Medicare’s Reduced Telehealth Coverage Puts Access and Care at Risk
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from Virginia Medicaid Announces Telehealth Flexibility Continues
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 […]
Read More… from Breaking Language Barriers: Training Interpreters for Behavioral Health
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 […]
Read More… from Preparing for the End of Telehealth Flexibilities
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 […]
Read More… from Southwest Virginia’s “Blueprint” for a Healthier Future Includes Focus on Telehealth
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Read More… from Understanding Virginia’s DD Waivers and Telehealth
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 […]
Read More… from Expanding Primary Care with Telehealth and Primary Care Medical Technicians
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
Read More… from Online Tool Helps Providers Address Social Drivers of Health for Patients
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 […]
Read More… from Resources for Enhancing Access to Quality Care via Telehealth
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from 2025 General Assembly Sine Die and Governor’s Update
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, […]
Read More… from School-Based Telehealth Clinics Launch in Hampton and Harrisonburg
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 […]
Read More… from 2025 Virginia General Assembly: Telehealth-Related Bills and Budget Amendments
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. […]
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 […]
Read More… from Advancements in Telehealth: A Recap of Progress in 2024
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, […]
Read More… from Medicare Waivers Set to Expire May Be Extended Through 2026
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Delivery
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 […]
Read More… from Best Practices for Creating a Safe Space in a Virtual Therapy Session
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 […]
Read More… from Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance Receives Inaugural VTN Innovator Award
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from Best Practices for Equitable Patient Support
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from CMS Issues Proposed Rule Governing Telehealth for 2025
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from Successes and barriers in virtual reproductive health care in Virginia
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from As telemedicine has evolved, clarity on coverage has become all the more important
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 […]
Read More… from Community Connections Hold Key to Expanding Telehealth Access, Report Says
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from Considerations for Patient Safety in Telehealth Delivery
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 […]
Read More… from Cultivating Inclusive Telehealth Experiences for Patients with Different Backgrounds
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from Strengthening Virginia’s Mental Health Workforce with Telehealth
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. […]
Read More… from Telehealth Triumphs: A Recap of Wins in 2023
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 […]
Read More… from Optimizing Care for Patients with Limited English Proficiency
On November 29, 2023 Missy Wesolowski of Dogtowne Consulting provided a recap of the most impactful changes in the Virginia Legislature coming out of election night and what it means for telehealth moving forward. […]
Read More… from Webinar: Post Election Recap with Missy Wesolowski
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from The Role of Telehealth in Virginia’s Rural Health Plan
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from Sen. Favola Shares Current and Future State of Telehealth in Virginia
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 […]
Read More… from WEBINAR RECORDING: The State of Telehealth in Virginia with Senator Barbara Favola
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, […]
Read More… from Expanded Broadband Access Will be Game-Changer for Telehealth in Rural Virginia
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 […]
Read More… from UVA Health Helping Ensure Quality Telehealth Care for Older Adults
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, […]
Read More… from Up to The Minute: PHE and Telehealth News – June 2023
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 […]
Read More… from Enhancing Telehealth for Patients who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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 […]
Read More… from Up to The Minute: PHE Updates and Telehealth News
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 […]
Read More… from Mental Health Awareness Month: Increasing Mental Health Resources
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 […]
Read More… from Tele-Prescribing Flexibilities Extended Just Ahead of PHE Expiration
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, […]
Read More… from In the News: Permanent and Proposed Rules Regarding End of PHE
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from How the End of Emergency Provisions Will Impact Telehealth
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 […]
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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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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from In the News: How will the end of the PHE impact telehealth policies?
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. […]
Read More… from How Virginia Health Catalyst is Expanding Teledentistry in Virginia’s Public Schools
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 […]
Read More… from In the News: New telemental health program seeing patients in Virginia
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 […]
Read More… from Fauquier Free Clinic first to launch virtual mental health pilot
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 […]
Read More… from Federal Audit Shows Telehealth Providers Complying with Medicare Billing Practices
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 […]
Now through Nov. 16, 2022 a draft Telehealth Services Supplement and a draft DMAS P-268 form are available for review and for public comment. Click here to learn more: https://townhall.virginia.gov/l/ViewNotice.cfm?GNID=2479. […]
Read More… from Public Comment Open: Draft Telehealth Services Provider Manual Supplement
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 […]
Read More… from Special Offer: Telehealth Cardiac Rehabilitation Training
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 […]
Read More… from Supporting Roanoke’s exploding demand while growing recourses
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 […]
Read More… from DMAS Telehealth Provider Memo Up for Public Comment
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Read More… from In the News – The Need for Telemental Health Care
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 […]
Read More… from An Unlikely Legacy of Telemental Health from far Southwest Virginia
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 […]
Read More… from Telehealth in the News: The Versatility of 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 […]
Read More… from Expanding and Integrating Care through Telehealth
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 […]
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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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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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 […]
Read More… from CareQuest Seeks to Understand Teledentistry Landscape with Brief Survey
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