Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Telehealth
FQHC & RHC CMS Policy Manual Updates
Highlights policy changes in the 2022 and 2023 Final Physician Fee Schedules, but not included in the FQHC/RHC CMS Policy Manual, regarding mental health face-to-face and telehealth encounters, and care management services. Details when permanent policies take effect. Discusses the current CMS modified definition of a mental health visit. Provides clarification on the Medicare allowance for general care management services including chronic care, chronic pain, and behavioral health integration.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Highlights policy changes in the 2022 and 2023 Final Physician Fee Schedules, but not included in the FQHC/RHC CMS Policy Manual, regarding mental health face-to-face and telehealth encounters, and care management services. Details when permanent policies take effect. Discusses the current CMS modified definition of a mental health visit. Provides clarification on the Medicare allowance for general care management services including chronic care, chronic pain, and behavioral health integration.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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The Approaching End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Its Implications for RHCs
Outlines Rural Health Clinic (RHC)-specific waivers implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will end at the conclusion of the public health emergency (PHE). Highlights how other policies will be impacted by the end of the PHE, including telehealth flexibilities; Medicaid redetermination; the commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and tests; and Emergency Use Authorizations.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Outlines Rural Health Clinic (RHC)-specific waivers implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will end at the conclusion of the public health emergency (PHE). Highlights how other policies will be impacted by the end of the PHE, including telehealth flexibilities; Medicaid redetermination; the commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and tests; and Emergency Use Authorizations.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Utilizing Innovations In Telehealth To Advance The Care Of Patients In Congregate Settings
Webinar describing best practices, lessons learned, and innovations developed in telehealth mobile technologies to support clinical screening, treatment, and care of isolated, high-risk rural populations in prison and nursing home facilities.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Author(s): Michael Patterson, David C. Gordon
Date: 02/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center
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Webinar describing best practices, lessons learned, and innovations developed in telehealth mobile technologies to support clinical screening, treatment, and care of isolated, high-risk rural populations in prison and nursing home facilities.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Author(s): Michael Patterson, David C. Gordon
Date: 02/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center
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Federal Telehealth Flexibilities in Private Health Insurance During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: In Brief
Provides an overview of how private health insurance plans cover telehealth services, as well as federal flexibilities that encouraged private health insurance plans to promote telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Summarizes the two main types of laws at the state level addressing telehealth coverage in private health insurance. Outlines considerations for telehealth coverage after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of how private health insurance plans cover telehealth services, as well as federal flexibilities that encouraged private health insurance plans to promote telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Summarizes the two main types of laws at the state level addressing telehealth coverage in private health insurance. Outlines considerations for telehealth coverage after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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The Role of Telehealth in Achieving a High Performing Rural Health System: Priorities in a Post-Pandemic System
Presents a review of the potential for expanded use of telehealth in rural America and the use of telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Examines the uses of telehealth in a high-performing rural health system. Expands on considerations outlined in the October 2020 publication The Evolving Landscape of National Telehealth Policies during a Public Health Emergency: Responsiveness to Rural Needs.
Author(s): Joel M. James, Keith J. Mueller, Joanne Constantin, et al.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Presents a review of the potential for expanded use of telehealth in rural America and the use of telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Examines the uses of telehealth in a high-performing rural health system. Expands on considerations outlined in the October 2020 publication The Evolving Landscape of National Telehealth Policies during a Public Health Emergency: Responsiveness to Rural Needs.
Author(s): Joel M. James, Keith J. Mueller, Joanne Constantin, et al.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Impact of Tele-Emergency Consultations on Pediatric Interfacility Transfers: A Cluster-Randomized Crossover Trial
Results of a study examining the use of pediatric critical care telemedicine compared with telephone consultations associated with transfer rates of acutely ill children from community and rural emergency departments. Features statistics including baseline characteristics and disposition of patients in the telemedicine and telephone groups.
Author(s): James P. Marcin, Hadley S. Sauers-Ford, Jamie L. Mouzoon, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(2)
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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Results of a study examining the use of pediatric critical care telemedicine compared with telephone consultations associated with transfer rates of acutely ill children from community and rural emergency departments. Features statistics including baseline characteristics and disposition of patients in the telemedicine and telephone groups.
Author(s): James P. Marcin, Hadley S. Sauers-Ford, Jamie L. Mouzoon, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(2)
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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Evaluation of Post-Discharge Engagement for Emergency Department Patients with Opioid Use History Who Received Telehealth Recovery Coaching Services
Examines successful interventions for patients in emergency departments (EDs) who receive peer recovery coach (PRC) services via telehealth that support patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Analyzes 13 EDs in Indiana who implemented telehealth PRC services starting in 2018, including 7 rural Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Includes rate of successful follow-ups proceeding PRC services broken down by patient age, sex, race, drug use method, referral types, and metro, small, or rural living location.
Author(s): Dennis P. Watson, Peter Phalen, Spencer Medcalf, Sarah Messmer, Alan McGuire
Citation: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention,18(9)
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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Examines successful interventions for patients in emergency departments (EDs) who receive peer recovery coach (PRC) services via telehealth that support patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Analyzes 13 EDs in Indiana who implemented telehealth PRC services starting in 2018, including 7 rural Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Includes rate of successful follow-ups proceeding PRC services broken down by patient age, sex, race, drug use method, referral types, and metro, small, or rural living location.
Author(s): Dennis P. Watson, Peter Phalen, Spencer Medcalf, Sarah Messmer, Alan McGuire
Citation: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention,18(9)
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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Perceived Benefits of Geriatric Specialty Telemedicine among Rural Patients and Caregivers
Explores the perceived benefits of a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) geriatric specialty telemedicine service (GRECC Connect), which connects geriatric interdisciplinary teams in urban areas with older veterans in rural areas through videoconferencing platforms. Summarizes results of interviews 30 rural older adults enrolled in the VHA and their caregivers about the content and quality of their GRECC Connect visits.
Author(s): Eileen M. Dryden, Meaghan A. Kennedy, Jennifer Conti, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 58(Suppl 1), 26-35
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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Explores the perceived benefits of a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) geriatric specialty telemedicine service (GRECC Connect), which connects geriatric interdisciplinary teams in urban areas with older veterans in rural areas through videoconferencing platforms. Summarizes results of interviews 30 rural older adults enrolled in the VHA and their caregivers about the content and quality of their GRECC Connect visits.
Author(s): Eileen M. Dryden, Meaghan A. Kennedy, Jennifer Conti, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 58(Suppl 1), 26-35
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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Designing Home-Based Physical Activity Programs for Rural Cancer Survivors: A Survey of Technology Access and Preferences
Results of a survey of 298 adults with cancer on demographics, cancer characteristics, technology use and access, current physical activity, and preferred home-based physical activity program characteristics. Includes rural versus nonrural comparisons.
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Salerno, Rohana Gao, Jason Fanning, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Oncology, 13, 1061641
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
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Results of a survey of 298 adults with cancer on demographics, cancer characteristics, technology use and access, current physical activity, and preferred home-based physical activity program characteristics. Includes rural versus nonrural comparisons.
Author(s): Elizabeth A. Salerno, Rohana Gao, Jason Fanning, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Oncology, 13, 1061641
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
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Aging on the Farm: Emerging Issues 2020-2021 Evaluation Report
Highlights 4 projects related to aging on the farm. Includes project descriptions, results, and future plans. Project topics include telehealth occupational therapy, data gathering on farmer needs in order to safely age in place, dementia awareness and healthcare quality, and exercise promotion for farmers with Parkinson's disease.
Author(s): Erica Shuck, Devon Charlier
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center
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Highlights 4 projects related to aging on the farm. Includes project descriptions, results, and future plans. Project topics include telehealth occupational therapy, data gathering on farmer needs in order to safely age in place, dementia awareness and healthcare quality, and exercise promotion for farmers with Parkinson's disease.
Author(s): Erica Shuck, Devon Charlier
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center
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