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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Telehealth

Dec 18, 2024 - Describes a telehealth program for critically ill patients implemented in 2 hospitals in rural Mississippi. Notes that 53 of Mississippi's 82 counties are more than 40 minutes away from specialty care. Discusses challenges with implementation, the increase in revenue for the 2 facilities, and planned use of AI for patient care and financial analysis.
Source: SmartBrief
Dec 17, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) seeking comments on the revision of an information collection titled "Survey of Veteran Enrollees' Health and Use of Health Care." Information collected is used to gain insights into factors influencing healthcare choices, enrollees' perceived health status and need for assistance, available insurance, self-reported utilization of VA services versus other healthcare services, barriers to seeking care, ability and comfort level with accessing virtual care, and more. Comments are due by January 16, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 16, 2024 - Highlights the way telehealth can improve access to healthcare for rural residents, discussing access to specialty care, services for children, economic barriers, services for women, travel difficulties for working adults and older adults, and equity.
Source: Tech Times
Dec 16, 2024 - Highlights a hospital in rural South Carolina using telehealth and new technology to offer specialized care to local residents after 2 nearby hospitals closed.
Source: SCETV
Dec 15, 2024 - Explores the impacts of behavioral health provider shortages on rural communities in the northwest. Notes that immigrants may face additional challenges finding care due to language barriers and some providers not accepting Medicaid. Describes strategies to increase access to behavioral health providers, including telehealth, increased reimbursement for services, and workforce programs.
Source: Northwest News Network
Dec 12, 2024 - Discusses the use of virtual healthcare by a rural, South Dakota-based healthcare system to address rural health issues including workforce shortages and easier access to healthcare. Highlights the facility that the system uses to test innovative methods of care.
Source: Health Leaders Media
Nov 27, 2024 - Summarizes recent research that found positive impacts from telehealth and peer support in diagnosing and curing hepatitis C for rural residents who use drugs. Discusses telehealth use following COVID-19 related increases and the value of peer support by those with lived experience.
Source: OHSU News
Nov 22, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a hybrid public meeting of the Advisory Committee on U.S. Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States on December 10-12, 2024. The agenda will include, among other things, a briefing on the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) efforts to assist covered Veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors; a briefing on the Veterans Health Administration initiatives and updates; the role of the VBA regional offices; prescription drug information; travel funding; and telehealth.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID-19 PHE as outlined in the Second Temporary Rule will remain in place through December 31, 2025. This rule is effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - Highlights the work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to address healthcare access issues for rural veterans in Tennessee and southern Kentucky. Discusses initiatives to improve mental and physical healthcare access, care coordination, and telehealth.
Source: VA Tennessee Valley Health Care Stories