New data out of Ontario, Canada suggests that blood pressure home monitoring without any kind of feedback loop about the readings, can lead to an unnecessary strain on the healthcare system. In the study, published last week in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, an analysis of more than 200,000 emergency room visits across 180 sites showed a 64 percent increase in emergency room visits for hypertension from 2002 to 2012 — despite a 28 percent decrease in hospitalizations for hypertension over that same time frame.
Telemedicine shows promise in Parkinson’s disease care
Like countless other patients, Ann Johnson, a retired veterinarian, has been willing to travel long distances and devote an entire day to be treated by a specialist at Rush University Medical Center. But a recent appointment lasted less than 30 minutes, and the only travel was to her living room.
Another Massachusetts insurer to cover virtual doctor visits
Having a cold, allergies, rash, or urinary tract infection used to mean a visit to the doctor’s office. Now, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care members can video chat with a doctor instead.
Starting July 1, the state’s second-largest commercial insurer will cover telehealth, offering the video chat service through California-based Doctor On Demand and from doctors in the Harvard Pilgrim network that offer telehealth.
How Telemedicine Is Transforming Health Care
After years of big promises, telemedicine is finally living up to its potential.
Driven by faster internet connections, ubiquitous smartphones and changing insurance standards, more health providers are turning to electronic communications to do their jobs—and it’s upending the delivery of health care.
Telemedicine Effective for the Diagnosis, Treatment of Chronic Headache
Telemedicine is equally as effective as in-person evaluation and treatment of non-acute headache, according to research published in Cephalalgia.
The results are promising for patients who don’t have regular or convenient access to headache specialists.
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center offers telehealth services to UA student veterans
The transition from military to civilian-life can be very difficult and going to college after serving can be an added stress.
A partnership between the University of Alabama and the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center is helping with this transition.
Teledentistry, the Latest Health Care Trend
Teledentistry is a growing field in telehealth, providing virtual dental services to individuals around the globe. Launched in 2014 in California, tele dentistry helps bridge the gap of quality dental care and build upon the existing principles of telemedicine.
USDA Announces Telemedicine Funding to Address Opioid Epidemic
Agriculture Secretary of the USDA, Tom Vilsack, announced five Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant awards to help provide treatment for the growing opioid epidemic in rural central Appalachia. This development is a result of President Obama’s task for the USDA to focus on rural opioid use in the country.
Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce – Healthcare Innovation Breakfast
The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) is holding their yearly Healthcare Innovation Breakfast.
John Bardis, former Chairman and CEO of MedAssets will speak on his reading of the “pulse” of healthcare & innovation and philanthropic ventures.
Panel discussion representing healthcare thought leadership including topics of Disruptive Technology, Driving Down Costs, Future Challenges Ransomware, Thriving Businesses and Employees. Panelists include:
– Beth Loudermilk, WellStar, VP Enterprise Intelligence & Integration
– Phyllis Parker, GSU, Executive Director HIT
New York Legislation to Require Payment Parity for Telehealth Services
New York introduced a new bill designed to ensure commercial health plans pay for telehealth services at the same rate the plans pay for in-person services. The legislation, SB 7953, comes on the heels of New York’s long-awaited telehealth coverage law and seeks to add payment parity language to the State’s existing telehealth coverage statute.