Heart failure is a complex chronic condition that presents debilitating symptoms. It is a major public health problem across the globe, with more than 26 million people affected worldwide. In the United States and Europe, the prevalence of heart failure ranges between 1.1 and 2.2% in the general population. The toll is highest on those … Read More
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The addiction to and misuse of these powerful drugs including heroin, fentanyl, and a list of prescription pain relievers has risen to the level of a national crisis that poses severe social … Read More
Research suggests that by 2030 nearly 20% of the population of the United States will be 65 or older. That’s almost double the number from 2012. Older adults tend to require more frequent and intensive health care, with some estimates putting the number of elderly patients with chronic conditions as high as 95%. At the … Read More
We spend most of our time in this space educating patients and providers about the benefits of telemedicine. After all, there’s a lot to love. For patients, video visits mean reduced health care costs, no travel or waiting time, less time off from work, reduced risk of catching another illness, and increased access to specialists. … Read More
Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposal for the 2019 Physician fee schedule. CMS’s rule includes recommendations that foster innovation through the use of communication technology. New Codes for Communication Technology The part of the rule that is relevant for the telemedicine industry is the proposed addition of two codes: … Read More
We don’t think it will be too long until strategies and techniques for integrating telemedicine into medical practice is a standard part of provider training. At the moment, however, video visits are a new thing for most providers, so it makes sense that there are many questions about how to be successful launching the new … Read More
Readmission is a significant problem after both medical and surgical hospital stays. Recent policy changes that include substantial financial penalties have made readmission an important, if not the most critical, pay-for-performance program for health care in the United States. Even people who undergo surgery on an outpatient basis can have postoperative complications that require hospital … Read More
Large healthcare organizations are likely to have dedicated IT resources or even a committee to evaluate new technology and business practices. Small practices or solo practitioners are more likely left to the task of deciding which technologies are worth pursuing on their own. When it comes to telemedicine, deciding if and how it can impact … Read More
A recent study by a Baltimore-based healthcare research firm, Sage Growth Partners, reveals something of a mixed message coming from the healthcare executive suite. Leaders overwhelming agree that telemedicine is a high priority, but not all are ready to fully invest in its implementation. The research sheds some light on why that is the case. … Read More
The practice of urgent care medicine took off in the 1990s. It was driven by a reduction in the number of primary care appointments available and frustration over long waits in the emergency room. People’s desire for immediate access to healthcare has only increased over the years, causing exponential growth in this sector. Today more … Read More
