Dear Colleagues,
We hope you're doing well, and are enjoying the longer days and warmer weather as we officially enter the summer months! With the change in season, came the start of the telehealth landscape changing for the Post-COVID-19 world, with numerous federal funding opportunities and state policy changes aimed at improving aspects of telehealth utilization. A s usual, this edition of Northeast Connections aims to help you digest it all!
This newsletter contains a variety of open federal funding opportunities, new resources from the NETRC and our NCTRC colleagues, a final call to submit your abstract proposal for NETRC's 2021 Conference this fall, and so much more!
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with your telehealth questions or success stories, or just to say hello!
On behalf of the entire NETRC Team – Be well,
Reid Plimpton, MPH - Project Manager
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Annual Conference Updates |
Federal Policy and Guidance Updates |
Open Funding Opportunities |
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Last Call for Abstracts!
Open Until Friday 6/25; Don't Miss the Chance to Share Your Story!
We invite you to submit a proposal to present a breakout session (one hour, scheduled on September 23rd or 24th).
Presentations will be selected to create an agenda covering a broad spectrum of topics for a diverse audience, with a focus on highlighting regional programs providing practical strategies and resources for successful and sustainable implementation. We'll also be looking for presentations which focus on the impact of telehealth from various perspectives, including patients, providers, health systems and more. Do you have innovations and outcomes to share from your organization's telehealth experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic Response? Send in your story!
Please note: NETRC is not able to accept proposals from representatives of for-profit companies. We encourage you to share this opportunity with customers and end-users. Travel and accommodations are not provided.
The proposal deadline is Friday, June 25th and Notifications will be made by Friday, July 9th.
Questions about NETRC 2021? Please contact Phonse Allen-Laney at
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Early Bird Conference Registration Rates &
Event Sponsor Opportunities Now Available!
The NETRC 2021 Conference Speakers and other updates will be released throughout the summer, but Early Bird Registration Rates are only here for a limited time! The event will follow the social distancing protocols necessary, but will have the same fun & content packed agenda you've come to expect at a NETRC conference: 2 days full of information and use cases across the telehealth spectrum. Register by Friday July 23 to save up to $75!
Both September 23 & 24 $175
Pre-Conference Workshop:(September 23 Only) $40
Pre-Conference Industry Partner Showcase (September 23 Only)- Included in registrations
Half-Day Conference (September 23 Only) $75
Full-Day Conference (September 24 Only) $125
Networking Reception (September 23) Included with conference registrations
Who should attend: Clinicians (CME available), C-Suite and Administrators, Telehealth Directors/Managers/Coordinators, Payers, Government Agencies, Policy Makers, Students, and anyone interested in learning, networking, and collaborating!
Questions about the conference? Email our conference coordinator Phonse Allen-Laney at aralaney@mcdph.org
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Many Thanks to the Industry Partners Already on
Board the TelehealthLaunchpad!
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The Annual NETRC Conference would not be the same without our valued Industry Partners & Sponsors, and we're beyond grateful for their continued support over the years! As the conference planning continues on, the NETRC Team is sure this list will grow, but join us in thanking our first round of Industry Partners for their planned participation, and prepare to see these folks in September!
Don't miss out on your chance to join our event, there's still plenty of space available in the Event Exhibit Hall, and we'd love to see you there! Additionally, as mentioned previously, the NETRC team is excited to be adding a new feature to our 2021 event, the "Industry Partner Pre-Conference Showcase" featuring participating Sponsors and Telehealth Industry Partners alongside the Pre-Conference Workshop event on the Morning of Day 1!
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Federal and State Policy Updates |
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Federal Policy Updates
The 2021 Federal Legislative Session continues to show signs of robust telehealth policy discussion, as over 13 federal bill proposals have been put forth by various legislators, including some proposals that were reintroduced from the previous session, such as the CONNECT Act (news article summary, here). While no bills have been taken up for vote, nor placed in committee just yet, all indications continue to imply the conversation around telehealth policy at the federal level will be across multiple care avenues and telehealth implementation aspects, and NETRC is here to help you keep track! We've pulled a few of the more recent policy efforts made by federal legislators for you here, and for more, see the News Stories section below, the news page on our website, or CCHP's new website design that includes real-time updates (below), and catch next months' edition of NETRC's "Northeast Connections" for the latest news!
U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, Patty Murray (D-Wash), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) are introducing new bipartisan legislation aimed at closing the growing digital divide in communities across the country
"The Digital Equity Act of 2021 would create new federal investments targeted toward a diverse array of projects at the state and local level that promote “digital equity”— a concept defined by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance as the, “condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy.” Read more here.
Senator Warner Encourages DEA Action on Telehealth and Prescribing
In early May Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the long-delayed regulations from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for a telehealth registry to prescribe controlled substances. In the letter, Senator Warner expressed concern for the delay and stated that “the DEA’s failure to address this issue means that a vast majority of health care providers that use telehealth to prescribe controlled substances to and otherwise treat their patients have been deterred in getting them the quality care they need.” For more information, read Senator Warner’s press release on his letter, and CCHP's May write up breaking down the background on this policy topic is available here.
CMS MLN Connects, Special Edition: June 3, 2021: This edition of CMS's MLN Connects includes an update on the Medicare Administrative Contractors' (MACs) resumed payment reviews in fall 2020, and much more. Click here to read the full newsletter.
State Policy Updates
Many State Legislative Discussions around Telehealth in our region are wrapping up quickly as they near the end of their sessions, while others are in the early part of their new session calendar yet, and have multiple proposals just starting, to help you keep track, we've updated our high level update for each state below. In addition to tracking these potential changes, May and Early June brought actions from Governors and State Departments regarding various active or expiring Emergency Actions/Orders.See below for some brief highlights and resources.
Connecticut:On May 10th, Governor Ned Lamont announced that he has signed into law legislation that extends for another two years the relaxed telehealth services provisions that he previously enacted through an emergency executive order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. House Bill 5596, allows the relaxed rules enacted through his executive order (No. 7G) to remain in place through at least June 30, 2023. Click here to read the bill, and an mHealthIntelligence article on the policy is available here.
Massachusetts: The Massachusetts 2021 General Court sessions is very active, and as bills become aimed at specific professions and or care avenues, the list of policies that are adjacent and/or may involve telehealth components grows, there are at least 4 bills in this framing, but Senate Bill 678, and House Bill 1101 continue to be the only proposals focused directly on telehealth considerations. For the full list, see here.
Maine: On June 15, 2021, The Senate of the Maine State legislature, adopted the majority report amendment to LD 791 "An Act Regarding Telehealth Regulations", and are now preparing the final version of the bill for vote. Maine's 130th Legislative Session is Scheduled to end this week, to follow the proposals voting progress, see full details here.
New Hampshire: On Friday, June 11th, Governor Sununu's Executive Order (E.O) 8 expired; this E.O. was the order under which Governor Sununu had expanded the use of telehealth services in response to COVID-19. However, the NH legislature had worked to make permanent many of these telehealth flexibility provisions in the 2020 Legislative Session, under House Bill 1623, and this bill was signed into law in June 2020. Therefore, upon completion of rule making and regulatory guidance being developed, those provisions should now be in affect. There are a number of specific care avenue specific questions about HB1623 and its’ effect on telehealth implementation, along with potential considerations regarding some of the terminology used that will likely be resolved in the regulatory development mentioned above; alongside our colleagues at CCHP and elsewhere, we are actively tracking this. Reach out with specific questions!
On Friday, June 4th, Governor Murphy Signed Executive Order 244, ending the NJ COVID-19 PHE; on the same day, Governor Murphy also made a multitude of other actions regarding provisions and waivers extended during the PHE, giving anywhere from 30 days to 1 year for state agencies and officials to act upon needed changes. Read more of these Executive Order Changes here.
New York: Three policies have been proposed regarding studies or assessments of specific aspects of the Telehealth flexibilities that have been active as part of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. All three proposals are in the early stages, either recently being assigned to a committee, or completing the necessary floor wide "reading". Additionally, at least 4 polices are adjacent and/or may involve telehealth components, see here for the full list .
Rhode Island: Senate Bill 4 "The Telemedicine Coverage Act" has moved to the House Finance Committee For Review, See here.
Vermont: Vermont's Legislative Session convened at the end of May, and as such, telehealth policy considerations have completed until the start of the next legislative session.
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In Case You Missed It, Recent Policy Resources: NEW CCHP Website, with New Policy Comparison Tools!
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Last week, the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) launched its newly redesigned website with a revamped telehealth policy database tool (called ‘Policy Finder’)!
Historically, CCHP has released twice a year (Spring and Fall) updates to its “State Telehealth Laws and Reimbursement Policies” report in the form of a PDF report document that details all the telehealth policies for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This online database tool allows CCHP to easily update each state’s information on a more frequent basis instead of updating only in the Spring and Fall, and the new website design allows the information from the online database to be exported for each state in real time! Check out the new tool today! But before you do, take a moment and view this quick tutorial on how the new Finder tool can be easily utilized.
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NEW NETRC Regional Telehealth Success Stories |
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NETRC Partners with SUPPORT for ME Program to Implement Tele-SUD Training Toolkit
In late 2019, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS)received federal funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement “SUPPORT for ME,” a new program to assess and build Substance Use Disorder (SUD)treatment and recovery capacity in Maine.The SUPPORT for ME initiative is focused on enhancing Maine’s response to the opioid crisis by increasing access to vital services for SUD. Like most projects which began toward the end of 2019, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 resulted in the need to make some fairly significant shifts in approach, and so the team decided to develop a self-paced training option as well, to better accommodate schedules and increase access.The self-paced toolkit incorporates multiple mediums including didactic presentations by SMEs, interactive material,and mixed resources embedded throughout, and takes approximately2 hours to complete.In order to further incentivize completion of the training, the NETRC team worked with the Maine Medical Education Trust (MMET) to secure CMEs, and AdCare Educational Institute of Maine to secure CEUs.
The SUPPORT for ME Toolkit is housed on NETRC’s Telehealth Classroom portal. While CME and CEU are only available for Maine providers at this time due to Maine specific SUD telehealth policy content, the toolkit can be accessed by any provider at no cost, by setting up a user account on the portal
Click here to continue reading this Success Story, and here to find all recently posted stories!
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Open Funding Opportunities |
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FCC/ USAC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program- Program Updates
On June 7th, The FCC announced that over 2.3 million households had successfully signed-up for the Emergency Broadband Benefit since enrollment began on May 12th. Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel noted that the level of demand for the Benefit reflected the challenges that consumers are facing during these unprecedented times.
“I am thrilled to see that the great need for affordable broadband support is being met with over 2 million households enrolled in three short weeks. I’ve also said we need good data to know how the program is progressing and to inform any long-term efforts to address broadband affordability. This information is now available to the public as we always intended,” -- Jessica Rosenworcel
The large number of successful enrollments also reflects the active engagement and support of thousands of outreach partners, large and small, building awareness around this important program. Since mid-May, households in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and American Samoa were approved to receive a discount on their monthly internet bills and have selected a participating EBB provider to receive internet service at home.
We invite you to continue working with us to spread the word about this timely program. As a reminder, the FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit outreach toolkit is a free, accessible, and effective way to add accurate information and graphics to your outreach campaigns.
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USAC Announces June System Enhancements to Further
Streamline Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Enrollments
June 8, 2021
Currently, to enroll a consumer who qualified for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) through the National Verifier, service providers must enter the consumer’s personally identifiable information (PII) in the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD) exactly as it appears on the consumer’s application.
To make the enrollment process as seamless is possible, USAC will release two system enhancements in June:
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A “Check Application Status” search tool to help service providers identify applicant information needed for PII matching, and
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An “App ID Enrollment” feature to allow for PII matching based on a new combination of fields (i.e., application ID, full name, and date of birth).
Read the full article here
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HRSA-21-122- American Rescue Plan Act - Pediatric Mental Health Care Access New Area Expansion |
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The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2021 American Rescue Plan Act - Pediatric Mental Health Care Access – New Area Expansion. The purpose of this program is to promote behavioral health integration into pediatric primary care by supporting pediatric mental health care telehealth access programs
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include states, political subdivisions of states, tribes, and tribal organizations that are not currently funded under HRSA-18-122 or HRSA-19-096.
Geographic coverage Nationwide
Award ceiling: $445,000 per year Project period: 5 years
Estimated number of awards: 32
Estimated total program funding: $14,240,000
A 20% non-federal match is required.
DUE July 6th, 2021; Click Here to Review the Application
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HRSA-22-097 Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) Optimizing Virtual Care (OVC)
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Optimizing Virtual Care (OVC) funding opportunity under the Health Center Program. The purpose of this one-time funding is to support health centers to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative, evidence-based strategies that•Optimize the use of virtual care to increase access and improve clinical quality for underserved communities and vulnerable populations; and •Can be adapted and scaled across the Health Center Program.
Eligibility Organizations that are currently receiving Health Center Program operational (H80) grant funding.
Geographic coverage Nationwide
Award ceiling: $2,000,000 Project period: 2 years
Estimated number of awards: 25
Estimated total program funding: $50,000,000
DUE JULY 16th, 2021; Click Here to Review the Application
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Upcoming Webinars and Events |
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NCTRC Webinar Series, June 17, 2021- 2pm EST
The Synergy Between Care Coordination & Telehealth
Hosted by: Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center (GPTRAC)
Presenter: Faith M Jones, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Director of Care Coordination and Lean Consulting for HealthTechS3
Description:As the healthcare focus changes from a “sick” care model to a population health model, primary care practices have new opportunities supported with value-based care reimbursements. Care coordination programs are expanding each year and when care coordinators engage in telehealth services, patients have improved access to care that is managed across a variety of care givers. If you are interested in learning more about the synergy between care coordination and telehealth, join us for this webinar.
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TeleSpecialists 2021 CME Lunch & Learn Webinar Series- July 22, 2021- 12pm EST Imaging-Guided Thrombolysis for Wake-Up Stroke: Pushing the Boundaries of the Time-Based Stroke Treatment Paradigm
Join TeleSpecialists TeleNeurologist Sam Saha, MD as he shares details about the latest clinical trials supporting imaging-guided thrombolysis and thrombectomy decision-making that have demonstrated net benefit in subsets of patients with unknown onset of symptoms, most commonly after waking up. With wider implementation of advanced imaging augmented by artificial intelligence software, there is an argument for pushing stroke treatment boundaries long established by clinical decision-making alone. Will expanding the thrombolysis treatment window truly move the needle forward in stroke intervention, or prove to be narrowly applicable, risky, and impractical when implemented outside of large stroke centers?
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New England Regional Genetics Group (NERGG)
2021 NERGG Genetic Counselors Conference- June 25th, 2021
Click Here to View the Agenda for the 1 day event!
Family members and GC students are offered a 50% discount off the registration fee. Approval is pending from NSGC for 7 Category 1 contact hours.
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Webinar: Protecting the Telehealth Consumer: FTC and State-Based Considerations June 22, 12pm-1pm EST
As the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States is easing, telemedicine is facing an important crossroads. While telehealth services have demonstrated their value as an integral part of care delivery, federal and state waivers instituted during the crisis are likely to expire soon. As lawmakers and agency officials consider updated or expanded digital health rules, regulators are expected to intensify their scrutiny of providers.
In this fifth and final installment of this webinar series, JDSupra's legal team will explore an important issue for post-COVID healthcare: consumer protections for telehealth consumers.
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In Case You Missed It! Recently Recorded Webinars |
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NCTRC Webinar Series- Mistakes, Myths and Misconceptions Your Telehealth Diabetes Program Need To Avoid to be Successful!
May 20, 2021
Hosted by: Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center
Presented by:
-Becky Sanders, Program Director, Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center
-Cameron Hilt, Data Coordinator, Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center
-Tony Song, CEO, Diabetes Care Partners
Description: This webinar takes you through the challenges, mistakes, lessons learned and experiences of a telehealth diabetes program during the Public Health Emergency and what to avoid to be successful for both your organization and the people you serve.
Watch the Recording Here & view the slides Here
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HRSA Telehealth Learning Series: An Overview of Licensure Compacts
May 17, 2021 12:30 PM
Webinar Objectives: Provide an overview of the following licensure compacts
-Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)
-Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
-Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT)
-Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Compact
-Physical Therapy (PT) Compact
-Share legislative/regulatory updates regarding licensure compacts
-Discuss the importance of interstate licensure compacts as a method for increasing access to care and addressing workforce shortages
-Highlight examples demonstrating how expedited licensure processes have allowed physicians and other health care professionals to extend their reach by leveraging telemedicine"
Watch the recording Here & view the slides Here
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Behavioral Health Survey Opportunity! |
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The BHWRC is an initiative funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Center works to strengthen the workforce responsible for prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders (referred to hereafter as “behavioral health”) by conducting studies to inform workforce development and planning efforts. The findings of this study will inform the BHWRC’s policy recommendations for developing strategies and programs to enhance telebehavioral health services.
Participation in this survey implies consent. All responses will remain anonymous, and participation should take about 15 minutes. The Survey will close on June 22nd; If you have any questions, please contact courtneyb@thenationalcouncil.org.
Click Here to complete the survey |
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Featured Telehealth News
A larger news compilation can be found on the NETRC site here.
mHealth Program Aims to Address Pandemic Stress, Burnout in Nurses
mHealthIntelligence May 28, 2021 Link
The mHealth platform offers positive affirmation and support resources via text messages to nurses who have experienced heightened stress from working during the pandemic.
J.D. Power: Telehealth use boosts members' satisfaction with health plans
Fierce Healthcare May 28,2021 Link
Increased telehealth use under the pandemic is encouraging members to engage more with their health plans, according to a new report from J.D. Power.
HIMSSCast: Telehealth in the trenches
HealthcareIT News May 28, 2021 Link
Two small-practice therapists discuss their COVID-19 telehealth experiences.
Need for virtual mental health services skyrockets during COVID-19 pandemic
HealthcareIT News May 28, 2021 Link
Providers learn valuable lessons that can help them deliver effective digital care in the future.
Senators Want to Codify VA’s Telehealth Success, Add More Services
mHealthIntelligence May 28, 2021 Link
A new bill before the Senate looks to expand the VA's telehealth and mHealth platform to further address gaps in care and boost access for rural veterans.
Physicians in favor of permanent telehealth expansion
HealthcareIT News May 27, 2021 Link
At the same time, a new report finds, stakeholders should not ignore the limitations of current virtual care models.
Using technology to enhance patient care
HealthcareIT News May 28, 2021 Link
The accelerated use of technology is making healthcare safer and more accessible for patients, says Susan Lucas Collins, global head of healthcare services at Twilio.
Congress to Debate Medicare Coverage for Audio-Only Telehealth Services
mHealthIntelligence May 26, 2021 Link
A bill to establish Medicare coverage for audio-only telehealth services is now in the House, setting the stage for a debate on whether the telephone is a good healthcare tool.
Will virtual primary care become a new model of healthcare delivery?
HealthcareIT News May 24, 2021 Link
The pandemic drove many patients to their primary care docs via video. And it worked. A telehealth expert explains how this shift could become a permanent hybrid with in-person care.
New Bill Aims to Reduce the Financial Burden of a Telehealth Visit
mHealthIntelligence May 25, 2021 Link
The Telehealth Expansion Act of 2021 would exempt telehealth visits from meeting deductible requirements in high-deductible health plans, allowing patients more freedom to use virtual care.
Telehealth is here to stay, study says
McNight’s Long-Term Care News May 24, 2021 Link
The pandemic drove telehealth’s current popularity and, according to a recent study, telehealth won’t be going away anytime soon — regardless of COVID-19 status.
Why Bother with Telehealth Training?
Telebavioral Health Institute May 24, 2021 Link
Telehealth growth is one of the few silver linings to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that offices are beginning to re-open, many professionals and their organizations are forced to decide if they will continue offering telehealth, or go back to exclusive in-person care
Future of Telehealth Reimbursement: Offering Medicare Telehealth Services?
Telebavioral Health Institute May 24, 2021 Link
While many United States healthcare providers are returning to their in-person offices, many others are digging in to offer hybrid telehealth or exclusive telehealth practices moving forward.
Inpatient telemedicine improves care and patient satisfaction at Howard University Hospital
HealthcareIT News May 24, 2021 Link
Staff are looking to make specialist visits more accessible, which could further improve patient satisfaction and lead to a faster and streamlined clinical process that may shorten length of stay and improve clinical outcome.
Proposed Changes for HIPAA Privacy Rule Receive Pushback
Telebavioral Health Institute May 24, 2021 Link
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released in January 2021, leaving it open to public comment until May 6, 2021.
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Recommended Telehealth Research/Resources
Check out the complete Telehealth Library Database on the NETRC site here.
Rapid Transition to Telehealth and the Digital Divide: Implications for Primary Care Access and Equity in a Post-COVID Era .Ji E. Chang PhD, MS, Alden Y. Lai, Avni Gupta, Ann Nguyen, Arolyn Berry, Donna Shelley 2021 Link
Addressing Inequities in Older Adults’ Health: A Role for Emerging Technologies
Alavi Z, Haque R, Felzer-Kim IT, et al. Community Ment. Health J. 57(1):57-63, 2021 Link
Anthony Jnr B. Inform. Health Soc. Care 46(1):68-83, 2021 Link
Bachireddy C, Chen C, Dar M. JAMA 323(20):2009-2010, 2020 Link
Demeke HB, Merali S, Marks S, et al. MMWR Morb. Mortal Wkly Rep. 70(7):240-244, 2021 Link
Elsner P. J. Dtsch. Dermatol. Ges. 18(8):841-845, 2020 Link
Morris NP, Hirschtritt ME. Psychiatr. Serv. 71(12):1309-1312, 2020 Link
Murphy AA, Karyczak S, Dolce JN, et al. Community Ment. Health J. 57(1):111-120, 2021 Link
Nelson B, Kaminsky DB. Cancer Cytopathol. 128(12):879-880, 2020 Link
Steeves-Reece AL, Elder NC, Graham TA, et al. J. Rural Health 37(1):227-230, 2021 Link
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The Northeast Telehealth Resource Center has been made possible by grant number G22RH30352 from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth: HRSA / DHHS. |
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