Telehealth Advances: PA Parity, CHN for Homeless, FL Vet Telehealth

Pennsylvania Finally OKS Telehealth Parity

After roughly a decade of political wrangling, Pennsylvania has finally passed a law mandating that payers reimburse providers for covered services offered via telehealth. Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law SB 739, which requires health insurers and managed care plans to reimburse providers for any covered services delivered through telehealth. This new legislation also sets accessibility standards for state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage, significantly reducing long-standing barriers to telehealth adoption in the state. Shapiro emphasized the importance of this law by stating that every Pennsylvanian deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare, and that insurance companies should not dictate the coverage of telemedicine services.

The passage of this law marks the end of a ten-year effort by telehealth advocates to achieve coverage parity in Pennsylvania, aligning the state with over 40 others that now mandate such parity. State Senator Elder Vogel, Jr., a Republican from rural Rochester, sponsored the bill and has long argued for reducing telehealth barriers to improve access in rural areas where healthcare providers are scarce. Despite previous attempts being blocked due to political disagreements and amendments, the new law has gained support from various stakeholders, including the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP). HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings highlighted that telehealth increases access to routine and preventative care, ultimately improving health outcomes and extending the reach of healthcare providers in the state. Read more.

CHN announces new telehealth program aimed at helping Erie’s homeless

Community Health Net (CHN), Erie’s leading Federally Qualified Health Center, has launched a new telehealth program to provide healthcare to Erie’s homeless population. Announced on July 10, 2024, the "Taking Healthcare to the Homeless with Telemedicine" initiative aims to overcome the challenges of traditional healthcare delivery by offering routine check-ups, screenings, behavioral health support, and a wide range of other healthcare services through telemedicine. Thierno Barry, CHN board chairman, highlighted the program's significance, stating that homelessness should not be a barrier to quality healthcare and emphasizing the innovative and compassionate nature of this initiative.

To support this new program, CHN is encouraging community participation in Erie Gives Day on August 13. This fundraising effort will help sustain the telehealth services, ensuring that one of Erie’s most vulnerable populations receives essential healthcare. Barry expressed excitement about the positive impact this program is expected to have on the community, underscoring the importance of accessible and dignified healthcare for all. For more details on this initiative, visit the full announcement here.

New bill allows Florida veterinarians to practice telehealth

Effective July 1, 2024, Florida veterinarians can now diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications to patients online under the Providing Equity in Telehealth Services (PETS) Act (House Bill 849). This newly enacted bill, modeled after Florida’s human telehealth legislation, received unanimous support and was sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and Reps. Sam Killebrew (R-Winter Haven) and James Buchanan (R-North Port). The PETS Act addresses challenges in accessing veterinary care and aims to mitigate the industry's workforce shortage by allowing veterinarians to use telecommunications technology for a range of services, including assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and monitoring.

The PETS Act establishes a comprehensive framework for veterinary telehealth, defining it as the use of synchronous or asynchronous telecommunications technology to provide healthcare services. It allows licensed veterinarians in Florida to practice telehealth, giving the board jurisdiction over these practices regardless of the veterinarian's physical location. The act ensures that telehealth practices are consistent with the professional standards of in-person veterinary services and requires the establishment of a veterinarian/client/patient relationship through audiovisual communication. This legislation is seen as a vital solution to improving health outcomes for pets, reducing animal suffering, and enhancing the capacity of animal shelters to serve their communities. For more details on the PETS Act, visit Veterinary Practice News.

What’s happening in Digital Health this week?

Grab your coffee (or tea, we like both too) and take a deep dive into what’s happening in our market this week.

BitcoinBlack deal brings crypto payments to telehealth, prescription drugs

BitcoinBlack has announced a deal to acquire telemedicine provider Ask the Doctor, enabling cardholders to pay for doctor visits and prescription drugs with cryptocurrency. This integration allows exclusive access to telehealth services through BitcoinBlack’s mobile app, expanding the company's suite of luxury offerings. Cardholders will also earn up to 10% cashback in SPND rewards tokens, redeemable at BitcoinBlack’s Haute Living Luxury Marketplace. Read more.

Teladoc Health Is Providing Free Virtual Health Care Services to Texas Residents Impacted by Hurricane Beryl

Teladoc Health is offering free telehealth visits to Texans affected by Hurricane Beryl, providing 24/7 access to general medical care for non-emergency illnesses. Residents can call 855-225-5032 for consultations and prescription refills for non-narcotic drugs. This initiative aims to support community health and safety during the aftermath of the storm, ensuring those impacted have access to necessary medical care. Read more.

Digital Twin Market Set to Soar: Expected to Reach $125.7 Billion by 2030

The global digital twin market is projected to grow from $6.5 billion in 2021 to $125.7 billion by 2030, driven by increasing demand for advanced data collection and analysis technologies. This growth is particularly notable in the automotive, transportation, and healthcare industries. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead the market expansion due to strong economic growth and increasing adoption of automation solutions. Read more..