Telemedicine

Accelerating Access: Texas' Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Membership Expands Care - 11/22/2022

Texas' recent membership in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact has made it easier for physicians to provide telemedicine care across state lines while also strengthening the Lone Star State's appeal to eligible, out-of-state physicians hoping to relocate.

Feds Poised to Extend COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Through Spring 2023 - 11/14/2022

After continued advocacy by the Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, and other organizations, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seems likely to extend the COVID-19 public health emergency  for an 11th time.

Texas Laws and Regulations Relating to Telemedicine - 09/20/2022

The 85th Texas Legislature (2017) passed Senate Bill 1107, a bill that marks a significant shift in how physicians may provide telemedicine in Texas. This document describes the new Texas legal and regulatory requirements that apply to a physician providing telemedicine medical services.

Payment, Paperwork Parity Critical to Preserving Telehealth Gains, TMA Tells Lege - 09/20/2022

If pandemic era telehealth gains are to be preserved, lawmakers must help ensure physicians are paid the same rates and held to the same documentation and medical record retention standards for telehealth visits as they are for

Federal Telehealth Extension Bill Advances to Senate - 08/31/2022

Signaling strong support to build on the COVID-19-era gains in telemedicine, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would extend Medicare’s telehealth payment and regulatory flexibilities through the end of 2024, should the public health emergency end before then.

Feds Clarify HIPAA Enforcement When Public Health Emergency Ends - 06/29/2022

New federal guidance clarifies that relaxed HIPAA enforcement will end at the conclusion of the COVID-19 public health emergency, while offering instruction on how physicians and others covered by HIPAA can continue to use remote communication technologies to provide audio-only telehealth services.

Have a Say in Texas’ Broadband Expansion Plan - 04/14/2022

Telemedicine has made a home in the health care system, and the trend will continue as broadband availability increases thanks to infusion of new state and federal funding.

Physicians Support Making Pandemic-Era Telehealth Policies Permanent, Survey Shows - 04/06/2022

A vast majority of physicians currently use telehealth and would like to see the pandemic-era policies that enabled its rapid expansion stick around so they can continue to do so.

Biden Order Carries Implications for Telehealth, Maternal Health, and Drug Costs - 04/05/2022

President Joe Biden recently signed an executive order that directs 17 federal agencies to commit to 36 customer service improvements, including making it easier for people to apply for the services and benefits to which they are entitled. It has far-reaching implications for health care.

A Looming Deadline: What the Public Health Emergency's End Means for Coverage - 03/31/2022

The end of the public health emergency could mean big changes to Medicaid, telemedicine, and private insurance coverage.

Congress Extends Telemedicine Flexibilities in Medicare - 03/23/2022

The COVID-19-era flexibilities for telemedicine in Medicare will last at least another five months following recent action by Congress.

TMA Resource: Help Your Patients Adapt to Telemedicine - 03/04/2022

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic appearing to be lessening, and many practices reporting the majority of their patient visits are once again in person, it’s important to let your patients know telemedicine options still exist.

Telemedicine’s Tipping Point: Pandemic Exposed Longstanding Coverage Issues - 01/20/2022

Dr. Atkisson found that telemedicine addressed one of the most pressing issues facing her profession: a dire shortage of psychiatrists that predates the pandemic.

AMA Report: Telehealth Use Spiked Between 2018 and 2020 - 10/27/2021

The percentage of physicians using telehealth skyrocketed during a two-year period that covered the first several months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new American Medical Association report.

TTUHSC, Texas A&M Receive Awards to Strengthen Rural Telehealth - 08/23/2021

Two Texas universities were among 36 award recipients nationwide that collectively received more than $19 million from the Biden-Harris administration to strengthen telehealth services in rural and underserved areas.

Update: TMB Extends Emergency Telemedicine Pain Script Waiver - 08/02/2021

The Texas Medical Board (TMB) extended until June 30 its emergency waiver permitting refills of certain controlled substance prescriptions to treat patients with chronic pain who recently saw their doctor in person or via telemedicine.

Physician-Led Results: Steps Forward in Telemedicine - 07/08/2021

Coming into the 2021 session, the Texas Medical Association had hope that telemedicine’s success in allowing for remote care during the COVID-19 pandemic would prompt lawmakers to permanently relax many state policies restricting its use.

Let Your Patients Know You Use Telemedicine - 06/14/2021

To make telemedicine more available, many state and federal rules and regulations regarding telehealth have changed temporarily during the COVID-19 public health emergency, including payments for certain types of visits. That’s all good news if you or your practice is struggling financially because of decreased in-person patient visits. But it doesn’t mean much if your patients don’t know about it.

Immerse Yourself in Telehealth With New AMA Program - 05/11/2021

Building on the recent work of its Telehealth Initiative collaboration with the Texas Medical Association and others, the American Medical Association is offering physicians more guidance on how to create a telehealth foundation in their practice.

COVID-19: Telemedicine - 05/04/2021

View COVID-19 resources related to Telemedicine.

Policies, Procedures and Forms for Telemedicine Services - 05/04/2021

Use these policies, procedures and forms for telemedicine services in your practice.

RUC-Solid Leadership: Zeke Silva, MD, Chairs Key AMA Medicare Payment Committee - 05/01/2021

San Antonio radiologist Zeke Silva, MD, looks to move Medicare payments into the future as chair of key AMA committee.

Learn the Risks, Rewards, Rules, Regulations of Using Telemedicine in Texas - 04/27/2021

To help you understand the state and federal rules and regulations regarding telemedicine, the Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) has scheduled a virtual webinar for 6 to 8 pm (CT) Wednesday, April 28.

Still Considering Telemedicine Use? Free Educational Resources Now Available - 04/21/2021

If your practice is considering telemedicine, the Telehealth Initiative is offering free online access to multiple educational resources and tools that were part of a 12-month trial program designed to encourage increased use.

Medicaid Medical Directors: Telemedicine Critical, But Must Be Clinically Appropriate - 03/31/2021

A new white paper examines the “digital divide” between telehealth and certain groups that have trouble accessing it, such as Medicaid patients and rural populations.