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Telehealth and Health Information Technology in Rural Healthcare – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

VA: Telehealth Grant Program Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposing amending its regulations implement a new authority to establish a telehealth grant program. This new authority requires VA to enter into agreements, and expand existing agreements, for the expansion of VA telehealth capabilities and provision of telehealth services by establishing telehealth access stations in rural, highly rural, or medically underserved areas, to the extent practicable. This notice also proposes to amend the copayment regulation by exempting all telehealth services from the copayment requirement. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 4, 2024 - Discusses telehealth and remote monitoring tool solutions for improving rural healthcare access. Highlights the role the COVID-19 pandemic played in increasing telehealth adoption and access barriers that remain in spite of wider telehealth adoption. Discusses workforce shortages, broadband challenges, and reimbursement for telehealth.
Source: TechTarget
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announcing a virtual meeting to discuss the implementation of an Executive Order to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Safety Program on November 15, 2024. Agenda topics will include recent AI-related analyses from the Network of Patient Safety Databases (NPSD), available program resources, and speakers from the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Coalition for Health AI. Active participation and discussion by meeting participants is encouraged. Interested persons send an email to SDMeetings@infinityconferences.com for registration information.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 28, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) seeking comments to inform the use or adoption of interoperability standards for human services programs. Specifically, ACF is seeking information on the most effective approaches, technical standards, and technological tools that currently or could promote interoperability between health and human services programs. Comments are due within 60 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the February 8, 2024, final rule. This correcting amendment is effective October 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 23, 2024 - Discusses a telepsychology program at the University of Iowa that aims to work with rural Iowans and train psychologists. Discusses the benefits of telehealth in increasing access to care in workforce shortage areas, the culture of rural, and overcoming stigma.
Source: The Daily Iowan
Oct 1, 2024 - Discusses a new partnership of 45 rural hospitals and 50 clinics in Texas with a health information exchange for better data exchange and interoperability. Notes the expected impact of the partnership includes sustainability and better healthcare quality.
Source: Health Leaders Media
Sep 24, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the approval of an information collection associated with the rules outlined in the January 11, 2024, final rule and the FCC's Third Report and Order. Amendments to sections 54.601(b) and (c) (amendatory instruction 2) and 54.622(e)(1)(i) through (ii) and (i)(3)(iv) (amendatory instruction 4) are effective September 24, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Last Updated: 11/13/2024