Telehealth News and Market Developments
HealthLeaders: 'Tsunami Of Criticism' Follows Dea's Proposed Telemedicine Prescribing Rules (3/31) Telehealth and digital health advocates aren't pleased with the US Drug Enforcement Agency's proposed rules for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine after the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
Krista Drobac, executive director of the Alliance for Connected Care, said the proposed DEA rules would lead to "immense patient harm," particularly to patients seeking treatment for behavioral health issues. According to the alliance, 65% of all patients living with a substance abuse disorder or overdose diagnosis in 2021 also had a pre-existing mental health condition."DEA must find a path to allow the continuation of comprehensive mental health (and substance use disorder--which is often overlapping) treatment to patients through telehealth," she wrote.."
Business Insider: DEA is Planning to Stop Certain Prescriptions From Reaching Your Mailbox (3/30) - During the pandemic, patients with opioid-use disorders have been able to get prescriptions for buprenorphine, a controlled medication that curbs cravings, on devices with internet access. For some patients, especially in rural areas, it's been an important lifeline to accessing lifesaving medicine. The COVID-related public-health emergency, and the loosened rules, are set to expire in May. How the government will account for what's changed since 2020 will determine both how much mental health care patients can get online.
mHealthIntelligence: Healthcare Groups Urge DEA to Modify Virtual Prescribing Rules (3/30) Healthcare trade associations, mental healthcare organizations, and providers are noting their concerns about the Drug Enforcement Administration's proposed rules governing telehealth-based prescribing and requesting changes that extend prescribing flexibilities enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The comment letter submitted by the Alliance for Connected Care also highlights the benefits that expanded telehealth prescribing provided patients during the COVID-19 PHE.
Fierce Healthcare: Parsley Health Inks Deals with California and New York Insurers (3/29) - Primary care telehealth provider Parsley Health has inked deals with major insurers in New York and California to reach 10 million patients as an in-network service. Parsley is now in-network with Aetna California and Blue Shield of California and a member of Mount Sinai Health System's clinically integrated network. Parsley’s membership, now covered by insurance in California and New York, includes comprehensive doctor and health coach visits in addition to advanced diagnostic testing, unlimited messaging, personalized medications and nutritional guidance.
Medical Economics: Mental health advocates seek changes to proposed telehealth rule on prescribing controlled medications (3/29) A broad coalition of health care providers and behavioral health advocates is calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to modify a proposed rule curtailing doctors’ ability to prescribe some controlled medications based solely on virtual visits.
AHA: Comments to DEA on Telemedicine Prescribing of Controlled Substances Rule (3/29) This proposed rule would impose burdensome restrictions and additional administrative requirements on providers and patients, which we are concerned will adversely impact patient access to medically necessary treatments. Most importantly, we urge the DEA to expeditiously set forth a special registration process regulation to identify a pathway to waive in-person evaluations prior to the prescribing of controlled substances and we urge the DEA to extend the waivers for the in-person visit requirement for prescribing of controlled substances.
Becker's Hospital Review: How Telehealth is Helping Trinity Health of New England Supplement Its Workforce (3/27) - Trinity Health is using newer forms of health care delivery, such as telehealth and home-case services, to help retain its workforce. Chief Clinical Officer, Syed Hussain, MD said telehealth services and home-based care services have provided a silver lining, and has been helping Trinity Health supplement and support its current workforce.
Healthcare IT News: Patients Armed With Telehealth Tools Help Baptist Health Delivery Better Care (3/27) - Baptist Health, a health system based in Kentucky, found that more than 80 percent of its patients prefer telemedicine to in-person care. Baptist Health uses its telehealth device to provide advanced virtual exams for schools. By partnering with local providers, Baptist Health can see if a student needs to be seen and cared for beyond what can be done virtually.
Them: The DEA’s New Telehealth Rules Are Bad News for Trans People on Testosterone (3/24) The DEA is considering a rule that would end telemedicine prescriptions for controlled substances unless the patient has had an in-person appointment. Since testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance the rule could have a devastating impact on trans people who take that hormone, many of whom may not have options other than telehealth, especially as many states have moved to or already do restrict gender-affirming care.
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