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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Telehealth and Health Information Technology in Rural Healthcare – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Feb 19, 2025 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delaying the January 17, 2025, final rules titled "Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine Encounter" and "Continuity of Care via Telemedicine for Veterans Affairs Patients" in accordance with the January 20, 2025, presidential memorandum titled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review." These final rules will now be effective March 21, 2025. Comments regarding the delayed effective date are due by February 28, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 17, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amending their regulations to increase access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorders (OUD) through a telemedicine encounter. This rule expands the circumstances under which individual providers are authorized to prescribe buprenorphine for OUD via telemedicine, including an audio-only telemedicine encounter. This final rule is effective February 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 17, 2025 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposing regulatory changes aimed at expanding patient access to controlled substance medications via telemedicine while mitigating the risks of diversion associated with such expansion. Proposed changes would establish a Special Registration framework and authorize three types of Special Registration that would allow more comprehensive prescribing, including prescribing of Schedule II and narcotic and non-narcotic controlled substances in limited circumstances, by properly registered physicians and mid-level practitioners and dispensing by online telemedicine platforms that constitute covered online telemedicine platforms. Comments are due by March 18, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 10, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announcing the availability of an estimated $79 million in grant funding for the Community Connect Grant Program for fiscal year 2025. The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants who will provide service at or above the broadband grant speed to all premises in rural, economically challenged communities where broadband service does not exist. The application window opens on February 20, 2025. Applications are due by April 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 6, 2025 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on a proposal to modify the Security Standards for the Protection of Electronic Protected Health Information ("Security Rule") under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH Act). Proposals are intended to increase the cybersecurity for electronic protected health information (ePHI) by revising the Security Rule to address changes in the environment in which health care is provided; significant increases in breaches and cyberattacks; common deficiencies the Office for Civil Rights has observed in investigations into Security Rule compliance by covered entities and their business associates; other cybersecurity guidelines, best practices, methodologies, procedures, and processes; and court decisions that affect enforcement of the Security Rule. Comments are due by March 7, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 6, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is accepting applications for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program for fiscal year 2025, subject to the availability of funding. DLT grant funds support the use of telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. Applications that will help rural communities recover economically, ensure all rural residents have equitable access to USDA Rural Development (RD) programs and benefits from RD-funded projects, and reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support are encouraged. Applications are due by March 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grants
Jan 3, 2025 - Describes how a temporary extension of telehealth rules impacts rural healthcare providers. Discusses quality of care concerns, benefits for rural residents, and broadband investments.
Source: Public News Service
Dec 30, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) announces the dates for public meetings of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) to be held throughout the 2025 calendar year.
Source: Federal Register
Last Updated: 2/14/2025