Saturday, August 31, 2013

State lawmakers target telemedicine in new bills
By Eric Wicklund, Editor, mHealthNews 

While their colleagues in Washington are starting to take interest in the promises of digital health, lawmakers in several states are forging ahead with their own legislative ideas.
According to the American Telemedicine Association, seven states and the District of Columbia have seen bills introduced in the past four weeks that address coverage and reimbursement for telemedicine services. To date, 16 states have mandated that all private payers in the state reimburse for telemedicine services if such services would be reimbursed through an in-person visit.
That increase in legislative interest was highlighted in a recent article written by ATA CEO Jonathan Linkous titled "Public Policy for Telehealth in 2013: It's Time for Government to Lead or Get Out of the Way." In the article, posted on the ATA website and in iHealthBeat , Linkous said he expects this year to be one of significant growth for the telehealth movement.
"After 40-plus years of development, telemedicine has finally come of age," Linkous wrote. "Whether you call it telehealth, mHealth or remote monitoring, the deployment of telemedicine is galloping. No longer relegated to demonstration grants or experimental research, mainstream medicine has joined up with Silicon Valley, private payers and consumer groups to make use of telecommunications technology to transform the delivery of care."
According to the ATA, since the beginning of 2013:
The District of Columbia has seen legislation filed by Councilwoman Mary Cheh that would require private health insurers and Medicaid to cover healthcare services via telemedicine, which is defined as "the delivery of healthcare services through the use of interactive audio, video or other electronic media used for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation or treatment." In Connecticut, State Sen. Joseph Crisco Jr. has filed a bill that would require health insurers to cover services provider through "telecommunications technology." In Florida, State Rep. Mia Jones has introduced a bill that would require insurers, including Medicaid, to provider coverage for telemedicine, extend Medicaid coverage for telemedicine to homecare services, provide coverage under the state plan or a waiver for home health services provided to eligible people with chronic conditions, and create a framework to allow for consults with practitioners and professionals in other states. In Mississippi, State Sen. Terry Burton has introduced a bill that would require insurers to cover telemedicine services if they are the same as a person would get through an in-person visit; the bill would also authorize healthcare providers licensed in the state to provide treatment recommendations to a patient after a telemedicine consult. In New Mexico, both State Rep. Stephen Easley and State Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino have filed bills requiring insurers to cover healthcare services provided via telemedicine. In South Carolina, State Sens. Raymond Cleary III, Bradley Hutto and Greg Hembree have filed a bill that would require individual or group health maintenance organizations to cover telemedicine services. In Indiana, State Sen. Vaneta Becker has filed a bill seeking to require Medicaid to reimburse certified home health agencies, federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics for telehealth services. In Nebraska, State Sens. Amanda McGill, Brad Ashford and Annette Dubas have filed a bill that would authorize telehealth services for public school students. In addition, State Sen. Colby Coash has filed a bill that would require health insurers to cover the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism in those under 21 years of age, as well as authorizing behavioral health treatment through telehealth. And State Sen. Peter Pirsch has filed a bill that would create a Telehealth Behavioral Services Program for youths involved in juvenile justice programs.
In his article, Linkous decried the legislative barriers that have impeded the advance of telehealth. "Since ATA was launched in 1993, the leading barriers to the deployment of telemedicine in the U.S. have almost all involved government policy: Reimbursement by Medicare and Medicaid, state-based standards of care and professional licensing, device regulation and telecommunications policy, just to name a few. To date, government has been telehealth's lagging partner," he wrote.
Linkous then predicted that 2013 would be a banner year for telehealth. He noted the 16 states that have adopted telehealth legislation as well as the 14 states that provide some coverage for telemonitoring and seven that cover video-based home care. He also highlighted California Rep. Mike Thompson's recently introduced Telehealth Promotion Act, new rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission regarding the rural health program, and impending regulations from the Food and Drug Administration governing mobile medical devices.
"So 2013 will be chock-full of activity," Linkous concluded. "It is a year for federal and state governments to play catch-up with the rest of the health and technology sectors by either supporting the use of telemedicine or at least by ceasing to be a roadblock in its pathway to the future."

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

A virtual psychiatrist can mend lives from home

To practice psychiatry you are required to engage in several years of education and training. Numerous hours were dedicated to studying for exams, and fulfilling practicum hours. Family and friends were put on hold, while all attention and focus were intent upon the ultimate goal of becoming a psychiatrist. Now, licensed and eager to practice you find yourself unable to afford the costs of beginning a practice on your own, although it is your desire to work for yourself. You visit all types of office spaces, only to be disappointed by the appearance, location, or cost. Feeling discouraged, you may contemplate working for a large HMO, or joining an already established practice, all the while you know deep down that you do not want that to be your career fate. Now, take a moment to consider the possibilities of working exclusively as a virtual psychiatrist.


There are many sensible practice management solutions available to help you reduce overhead costs and reduce billing discrepancies. All helpful, but not related to the actual treatment of your patients, in the same way video telemedicine aids your practice. As a virtual psychiatrist, you will have the ability to connect with more patients, and at a fraction of the cost you would have spent leasing a space. Relieved by reduced financial stress, will allow more time and attention to focus upon the increased effort you are putting into your patient’s treatment plan. Your patient will appreciate the ease in access they have to you, and you will appreciate your lessened financial burdens.
Step out, and be on the cutting edge of psychiatric treatment as a virtual psychiatrist, who utilizes advanced practice management solutions, such as video telemedicine, on a daily basis to treat your clients. Your colleagues will be impressed by your willingness to step outside of the norm of psychiatry practice, and be envious of your low overhead costs. To become a psychiatrist, an advanced level of intelligence was required, and to successfully practice and maintain, the same degree of intelligence will be required. Times are rapidly changing, and although some things are best left the same, there are others that get better with slight change.