CMS finalizes a new rule for telemedicine services to ensure that patients in rural or remote areas continue to receive cutting edge medical care from local hospitals. The final rule changes the process that hospitals and CAHs use to credential and grant privileges to physicians and practitioners delivering care via telemedicine services.
The rule simplifies how hospitals and CAHs can partner with hospitals and non-hospital telemedicine entities such as teleradiology facilities to deliver care to their patients. The streamlined process will be particularly beneficial to patients of small hospitals and CAHs in rural or remote areas that may lack staff or resources to deliver specialized clinical expertise to their patient populations.
Before this rule, CMS practitioners could not provide care via telemedicine unless they were granted practice privileges both by their home hospital as well as by the remote hospital or CAH to which the telemedicine services were being delivered. The final rule aims to reduce the burden of the traditional credentialing and privileging process for Medicare-participating hospitals and CAHs.
A hospital or CAH furnishing telemedicine services to patients via an agreement with a distant hospital or telemedicine entity may now rely upon information furnished by the distant hospital when making credentialing and privileging decisions for the physicians and practitioners at the distant site that will furnish the services.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
HRSA Issues FOA
HRSA’s April 27, 2011 Funding Opportunities Announcement (FOA) solicits applications for the “Rural Health Information Technology Network Development” (RHITND) program. One of the challenges rural providers face is being able to secure the capital needed to make the initial investment for the necessary hardware and software to successfully implement HIT and EHR systems.
A “Rural Health Network” is composed of multiple independent rural healthcare providers and possibly other community organizations and is defined as a formal organizational arrangement among at least three healthcare providers that are separately owned entities.
Rural health providers benefit by forming Rural Health Networks as they have proven to be one of the best strategies for maintaining limited rural health resources when individuals in the community are faced with economic hardships and have decreased access to healthcare services. The HRSA funding will help networks expand their adoption of HIT and EHR and help providers in the network meet the meaningful use standards of EHR adoption.
Grant funds will support workforce analysis, EHR training, be used to purchase equipment, to identify and locate certified HIT equipment vendors, and to install broadband in rural areas.
This program will provide funding during FY 2011-2013. This is a one-time only funding opportunity and is based upon the availability of funds. About $12,000,000 is expected to be available annually to fund 40 awardees. The application deadline is May 27, 2011 with the start of the project expected to be September 1, 2011.
For more information, go to www.hrsa.gov or www.grants.gov.
A “Rural Health Network” is composed of multiple independent rural healthcare providers and possibly other community organizations and is defined as a formal organizational arrangement among at least three healthcare providers that are separately owned entities.
Rural health providers benefit by forming Rural Health Networks as they have proven to be one of the best strategies for maintaining limited rural health resources when individuals in the community are faced with economic hardships and have decreased access to healthcare services. The HRSA funding will help networks expand their adoption of HIT and EHR and help providers in the network meet the meaningful use standards of EHR adoption.
Grant funds will support workforce analysis, EHR training, be used to purchase equipment, to identify and locate certified HIT equipment vendors, and to install broadband in rural areas.
This program will provide funding during FY 2011-2013. This is a one-time only funding opportunity and is based upon the availability of funds. About $12,000,000 is expected to be available annually to fund 40 awardees. The application deadline is May 27, 2011 with the start of the project expected to be September 1, 2011.
For more information, go to www.hrsa.gov or www.grants.gov.
TATRC's Research Activities
According to the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command’s spring 2011 issue of “The Point”, new biosensors can be used with automated delivery pumps as part of a “Target-Controlled Infusion Anesthesia” (TCIA) system.
This system can deliver blood concentrations of drugs for general anesthesia or conscious sedation with studies of TCIA systems show improved anesthesia outcomes and reduced hospital costs. These systems are in use in operating theaters in Europe and other countries, but the FDA has not yet approved the system for U.S. military or civilian use.
Other sensors can measure the depth of sedation by blood pressure and other indirect measures. A research team in Tennessee has created and successfully tested electrochemical sensors that can continuously measure propofol levels in the blood at extremely low concentrations within the dose range of the drug.
The Army’s Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) supports new studies to validate the new biosensors since the military has identified a need for new technologies for the real-time monitoring of casualties. According to TATRC Deputy Director Col. Ron Poropatich, “This project relates particularly to the need for a highly portable autonomous anesthesia system that can be used to maintain sedation during aerial transport.”
TATRC Trauma Portfolio Manager, Dr. Thomas Knuth reports that the team at TATRC was already developing electrochemical sensors for other uses, so the plan is to apply these biosensors to meet the military need for a closed-loop system to measure and regulate propofol. So far, this research looks very promising and the hope is that research in this field will also show how this knowledge can be applied to other anesthesia drugs.
TATRC will be involved in another new research project with $15 million in funding authorized by Congress to create an Alzheimer’s Research Grant Program within DOD. The research plan is to explore the causes, complications, and potential treatments associated with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly among those in the military. The funding will be used to create a peer-reviewed research grant program portfolio that will include TBI, PTSD, and other brain research areas.
This system can deliver blood concentrations of drugs for general anesthesia or conscious sedation with studies of TCIA systems show improved anesthesia outcomes and reduced hospital costs. These systems are in use in operating theaters in Europe and other countries, but the FDA has not yet approved the system for U.S. military or civilian use.
Other sensors can measure the depth of sedation by blood pressure and other indirect measures. A research team in Tennessee has created and successfully tested electrochemical sensors that can continuously measure propofol levels in the blood at extremely low concentrations within the dose range of the drug.
The Army’s Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) supports new studies to validate the new biosensors since the military has identified a need for new technologies for the real-time monitoring of casualties. According to TATRC Deputy Director Col. Ron Poropatich, “This project relates particularly to the need for a highly portable autonomous anesthesia system that can be used to maintain sedation during aerial transport.”
TATRC Trauma Portfolio Manager, Dr. Thomas Knuth reports that the team at TATRC was already developing electrochemical sensors for other uses, so the plan is to apply these biosensors to meet the military need for a closed-loop system to measure and regulate propofol. So far, this research looks very promising and the hope is that research in this field will also show how this knowledge can be applied to other anesthesia drugs.
TATRC will be involved in another new research project with $15 million in funding authorized by Congress to create an Alzheimer’s Research Grant Program within DOD. The research plan is to explore the causes, complications, and potential treatments associated with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly among those in the military. The funding will be used to create a peer-reviewed research grant program portfolio that will include TBI, PTSD, and other brain research areas.
SAMHSA Funding More HIT
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment within HHS, released a Request for Application (RFA) to use health IT to enable substance abuse treatment providers help individuals in underserved areas. Domestic public and private nonprofit entities are eligible for this funding.
The funding for health IT can be used to expand existing systems or be used for adjunct technologies such as consumer-oriented wireless technology, personal health record systems, or other electronic systems. The funding can be used to provide web-based services, smart phones, and behavioral health electronic applications (e-apps). These technological tools can also complement existing or new EHR systems.
FY 2011 Grant Request for Application (TI-11-002), titled “Grants to Expand Care Coordination through the Use of HIT in Targeted Areas of Need” was posted on May 2, 2011 and is due by June 13, 2011.
Funding for $5.6 million is available with up to 20 awards. The anticipated award amount will be up to $280,000 per year.
SAMHSA’s second Request for Application (SM-11-012) released on May 4 under the “Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration” (PBHCI HIT) grant announcement. This grant funding is a one year supplemental award to expand the use of interoperable electronic health records to quickly identify both the behavioral health and primary care needs of patients. The goal is to deliver prevention services to link primary care and behavioral health needs but also to track outcomes.
The supplement support will enable the integration of primary care services with the care delivered in publicly funded community mental health and other community-based behavioral health settings. Through this initiative, the agency will work to increase the use of interoperable, certified EHR systems.
Eligibility for this supplemental funding is limited to current PBHCI grantees. The anticipated funding will be up to $11.2 million with 56 anticipated awards with the award amount to be $200,000 for one year.
For more information on (T-11-002), go to www.samhsa.gov/grants/2011/ti_11_002.aspx or email Wilson Washington at Wilson.washington@samhsa.hhs.gov. For more details on (SM-11-012), go to www.samhsa.gov/grants/2011/sm_11_012.aspx or email Trina Dutta at Trina.Dutta@samhsa.hhs.gov.
The funding for health IT can be used to expand existing systems or be used for adjunct technologies such as consumer-oriented wireless technology, personal health record systems, or other electronic systems. The funding can be used to provide web-based services, smart phones, and behavioral health electronic applications (e-apps). These technological tools can also complement existing or new EHR systems.
FY 2011 Grant Request for Application (TI-11-002), titled “Grants to Expand Care Coordination through the Use of HIT in Targeted Areas of Need” was posted on May 2, 2011 and is due by June 13, 2011.
Funding for $5.6 million is available with up to 20 awards. The anticipated award amount will be up to $280,000 per year.
SAMHSA’s second Request for Application (SM-11-012) released on May 4 under the “Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration” (PBHCI HIT) grant announcement. This grant funding is a one year supplemental award to expand the use of interoperable electronic health records to quickly identify both the behavioral health and primary care needs of patients. The goal is to deliver prevention services to link primary care and behavioral health needs but also to track outcomes.
The supplement support will enable the integration of primary care services with the care delivered in publicly funded community mental health and other community-based behavioral health settings. Through this initiative, the agency will work to increase the use of interoperable, certified EHR systems.
Eligibility for this supplemental funding is limited to current PBHCI grantees. The anticipated funding will be up to $11.2 million with 56 anticipated awards with the award amount to be $200,000 for one year.
For more information on (T-11-002), go to www.samhsa.gov/grants/2011/ti_11_002.aspx or email Wilson Washington at Wilson.washington@samhsa.hhs.gov. For more details on (SM-11-012), go to www.samhsa.gov/grants/2011/sm_11_012.aspx or email Trina Dutta at Trina.Dutta@samhsa.hhs.gov.
Search for Health Policy Associate
The Alliance for Health Reform is looking to fill the position of Health Policy Associate. This associate health policy position will be an integral member of the health policy staff and assist the Executive Vice President and Senior Health Policy Associate to develop and execute briefings, research the health policy arena, and help to cultivate and maintain relationships with key congressional staff and other health policy stakeholders.
The Policy Associate’s responsibilities include organizing the content of Alliance briefings, scheduling and maintaining communication with speakers, research and analyze possible topics, assist in preparing and drafting a variety of publications and materials for retreats, attend briefings and provide logistical support, including assisting with setup, registration, and breakdown.
This position also helps to coordinate policy research among Alliance staff members, track health policy topics under discussion among analysts and policy makers, especially congressional staff, and keep Alliance staff informed about health policy developments.
Qualifications require an established background and interest in health policy, economics, public policy political science or other social science fields is required. A master’s degree or a combination of work experience and a B.A in one of the disciplines mentioned above is preferred.
Knowledge in one or more of the following areas is required to include health reform, quality, healthcare costs, disparities, children’s health, Medicare and Medicaid, long-term care, public health, and private insurance.
Excellent written and speaking skills, an ability and willingness to perform a variety of organizational tasks and commitment to the goals of the Alliance are essential. Applicants must be able to organize work and prioritize, take the initiative, have the ability to handle multiple tasks, be able to meet deadlines, plus have strong computer skills.
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to jobs@allhealth.org. Word or PDF files only and please no phone calls.
The Policy Associate’s responsibilities include organizing the content of Alliance briefings, scheduling and maintaining communication with speakers, research and analyze possible topics, assist in preparing and drafting a variety of publications and materials for retreats, attend briefings and provide logistical support, including assisting with setup, registration, and breakdown.
This position also helps to coordinate policy research among Alliance staff members, track health policy topics under discussion among analysts and policy makers, especially congressional staff, and keep Alliance staff informed about health policy developments.
Qualifications require an established background and interest in health policy, economics, public policy political science or other social science fields is required. A master’s degree or a combination of work experience and a B.A in one of the disciplines mentioned above is preferred.
Knowledge in one or more of the following areas is required to include health reform, quality, healthcare costs, disparities, children’s health, Medicare and Medicaid, long-term care, public health, and private insurance.
Excellent written and speaking skills, an ability and willingness to perform a variety of organizational tasks and commitment to the goals of the Alliance are essential. Applicants must be able to organize work and prioritize, take the initiative, have the ability to handle multiple tasks, be able to meet deadlines, plus have strong computer skills.
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to jobs@allhealth.org. Word or PDF files only and please no phone calls.
Alliance Helps Consumers
MedApps, Inc. a mHealth company and Phoenix Kiosk, Inc, a kiosk design and manufacturing company have formed a strategic alliance to expand their companies in the remote health monitoring market. The plan is to integrate cutting edge technologies to not only use in store retail medical clinics but also in corporate entities.
The two companies showcased their products at the 2011 American Telemedicine Association conference held May 1-3, 2011 in Tampa. “Phoenix Kiosk’s capabilities and expertise in developing forward-thinking product compliments our approach and ability to be agile in the market,” says Kent Dicks, MedApps Founder and CEO. “The alliance will provide a highly economical entry into leading retail and corporate medical clinics across the nation.”
Specifically, the system uses MedApps’ CloudCare™ platform, the HealthReader ™ and Health Smart Card in collaboration with Phoenix Kiosk’s Personal Health Station hardware and software interface. The technology enables an economical gateway to MedApps’ CloudCare System to provide for remote health monitoring and connectivity to the consumer’s personal electronic health records.
The MedApps Smart Card has the capability to store biometric measurements when collected either from the in-store kiosk or remotely from the patient’s home using the HealthReader. The system uses wireless or wired technology to transmit biometric data collected at home or from retail devices to a central server with the data then forwarded to an EHR and/or online consumer records service. This system is ideal for individuals who may not have access to or may not want to use a computer or smart phone to upload health data to an EHR.
This system can also serve as a check-in point for remote patient clinics in the retail setting or as part of an employer’s program and has the capability to integrate the smart card to the retailer’s loyalty rewards program, to electronic coupons, and to provide prescription reminders, etc.
For more information, go to www.medapps.com and www.Phoenixkiosk.com.
The two companies showcased their products at the 2011 American Telemedicine Association conference held May 1-3, 2011 in Tampa. “Phoenix Kiosk’s capabilities and expertise in developing forward-thinking product compliments our approach and ability to be agile in the market,” says Kent Dicks, MedApps Founder and CEO. “The alliance will provide a highly economical entry into leading retail and corporate medical clinics across the nation.”
Specifically, the system uses MedApps’ CloudCare™ platform, the HealthReader ™ and Health Smart Card in collaboration with Phoenix Kiosk’s Personal Health Station hardware and software interface. The technology enables an economical gateway to MedApps’ CloudCare System to provide for remote health monitoring and connectivity to the consumer’s personal electronic health records.
The MedApps Smart Card has the capability to store biometric measurements when collected either from the in-store kiosk or remotely from the patient’s home using the HealthReader. The system uses wireless or wired technology to transmit biometric data collected at home or from retail devices to a central server with the data then forwarded to an EHR and/or online consumer records service. This system is ideal for individuals who may not have access to or may not want to use a computer or smart phone to upload health data to an EHR.
This system can also serve as a check-in point for remote patient clinics in the retail setting or as part of an employer’s program and has the capability to integrate the smart card to the retailer’s loyalty rewards program, to electronic coupons, and to provide prescription reminders, etc.
For more information, go to www.medapps.com and www.Phoenixkiosk.com.
Spotlight on Healthcare Unbound
Networks, platforms, and applications for technology-enabled participatory medicine will be featured at the “Eighth Annual Healthcare Unbound Conference & Exhibition” on July 11-12, 2011 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. The Conference will be a great networking and educational event, attracting hundreds of high level executives and clinicians from all over the U.S. and abroad. The focus will be on remote monitoring, home telehealth, mHealth, eHealth, social media, and how to better promote wellness, manage diseases, and facilitate accountable care using the newest technologies.
Today innovative technologies are driving opportunities to serve health consumers in new ways and in new settings. In addition to dramatically changing traditional healthcare delivery, this Conference attracts a range of companies that previously have not been deeply involved in healthcare such as in consumer electronics, telecom, gaming, fitness, along with information technology companies. More and more ideas and companies are coming on board every day.
You really can’t miss this event if you are involved in this exciting ever changing technology field. The information obtained from all of the keynote speakers and presentations will help not only healthcare providers and health plans, but also retirement communities, consumer technology companies, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies, as well as contract research organizations. Also, home builders, financiers, security analysts, consultants, and government officials will also play an important role.
Leading thought experts in the field will present a number of keynote presentations:
• Vince Kuraitis, JD, MBA, Principal, Better Health Technologies
• Michael J. Barrett, Managing Partner, Critical Mass Consulting
• Joseph Ternullo, JD, MPH, Director, International Corporate Relations, Partners HealthCare & Associate Director, Center for Connected Health
• Zachary Sikes, Senior Vice President, Leading Age
• Bryce Williams, Director Wellvolution, Blue Shield of California
• Majid Sarrafzadeh, PhD, Professor, Computer Science UCLA & Co-Director, UCLA Wireless Health Institute
• David Inns, CEO, GreatCall, Inc. (Creator of Jitterbug)
• Yan Chow, MD, MBA, Director of Innovation and Advanced Technology, Kaiser Permanente
• Charles (Chuck) Parker, Executive Director, Continua Health Alliance
The presentations and panels zeroing in on today’s critical issues will provide many opportunities for productive discussions in such topics as:
• Connected health used to support efforts to establish meaningful use
• Reimbursement and regulatory developments
• Emerging business models
• Health consumer engagement and behavior change through the use of technology
• Technology-enabled participatory medicine
• Leveraging technologies to promote wellness and manage diseases
• Health plan and employer perspectives on healthcare unbound
• Healthcare technology applications for baby boomers and seniors
• Promoting personalized medicine and wireless applications
• The role of technologies in the patient centered medical home
• Using telehealth technologies and the accountable care concept in home care
• Opportunities and challenges in creating linkages between electronic health records and consumer-facing technologies such as remote monitoring and social media
• Financier perspectives
• International perspectives
• Technology enabled chronic care management
• Participation in Health Information Exchanges
• And many more topics are being added daily to the agenda
Exhibits will showcase the newest technologies and give attendees ample time to see not only what is available today but information on future technologies that are going to greatly impact the medical and healthcare fields as we move through the 21st century.
Go to http://tcbi.org/index.php?conference=hu2011 for more details, to register, or to exhibit.
Today innovative technologies are driving opportunities to serve health consumers in new ways and in new settings. In addition to dramatically changing traditional healthcare delivery, this Conference attracts a range of companies that previously have not been deeply involved in healthcare such as in consumer electronics, telecom, gaming, fitness, along with information technology companies. More and more ideas and companies are coming on board every day.
You really can’t miss this event if you are involved in this exciting ever changing technology field. The information obtained from all of the keynote speakers and presentations will help not only healthcare providers and health plans, but also retirement communities, consumer technology companies, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies, as well as contract research organizations. Also, home builders, financiers, security analysts, consultants, and government officials will also play an important role.
Leading thought experts in the field will present a number of keynote presentations:
• Vince Kuraitis, JD, MBA, Principal, Better Health Technologies
• Michael J. Barrett, Managing Partner, Critical Mass Consulting
• Joseph Ternullo, JD, MPH, Director, International Corporate Relations, Partners HealthCare & Associate Director, Center for Connected Health
• Zachary Sikes, Senior Vice President, Leading Age
• Bryce Williams, Director Wellvolution, Blue Shield of California
• Majid Sarrafzadeh, PhD, Professor, Computer Science UCLA & Co-Director, UCLA Wireless Health Institute
• David Inns, CEO, GreatCall, Inc. (Creator of Jitterbug)
• Yan Chow, MD, MBA, Director of Innovation and Advanced Technology, Kaiser Permanente
• Charles (Chuck) Parker, Executive Director, Continua Health Alliance
The presentations and panels zeroing in on today’s critical issues will provide many opportunities for productive discussions in such topics as:
• Connected health used to support efforts to establish meaningful use
• Reimbursement and regulatory developments
• Emerging business models
• Health consumer engagement and behavior change through the use of technology
• Technology-enabled participatory medicine
• Leveraging technologies to promote wellness and manage diseases
• Health plan and employer perspectives on healthcare unbound
• Healthcare technology applications for baby boomers and seniors
• Promoting personalized medicine and wireless applications
• The role of technologies in the patient centered medical home
• Using telehealth technologies and the accountable care concept in home care
• Opportunities and challenges in creating linkages between electronic health records and consumer-facing technologies such as remote monitoring and social media
• Financier perspectives
• International perspectives
• Technology enabled chronic care management
• Participation in Health Information Exchanges
• And many more topics are being added daily to the agenda
Exhibits will showcase the newest technologies and give attendees ample time to see not only what is available today but information on future technologies that are going to greatly impact the medical and healthcare fields as we move through the 21st century.
Go to http://tcbi.org/index.php?conference=hu2011 for more details, to register, or to exhibit.
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