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Telehealth and Health Information Technology in Rural Healthcare – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Dec 12, 2024 - Discusses the use of virtual healthcare by a rural, South Dakota-based healthcare system to address rural health issues including workforce shortages and easier access to healthcare. Highlights the facility that the system uses to test innovative methods of care.
Source: Health Leaders Media
Dec 11, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) that seeks to advance interoperability, improve transparency, and support the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. This final rule amends the information blocking regulations by including definitions related to the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common agreement (TEFCA) Manner Exception and corrects and updates current regulatory provisions of the ONC Health IT Certification Program. The rule also implements certain provisions related to TEFCA, which would support the reliability, privacy, security, and trust within TEFCA. This rule is effective 30 days after publication of this notice, which is scheduled for December 16, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 26, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announcing the publication of the Common Agreement for Nationwide Health Information Interoperability, Version 2.1.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID-19 PHE as outlined in the Second Temporary Rule will remain in place through December 31, 2025. This rule is effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
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
Last Updated: 12/12/2024