Americans now have telehealth as an option and they like it! Buzz60’s Keri Lumm shares the results of a new study conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Kaiser Permanente.
Source: SCNOW
Click Here to watch video
Source: American Telemedicine Association
CONTACT:
Gina Cella
Cella Communications
781-799-3137
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC, JANUARY 21, 2022 – The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), the premier organization working to accelerate the adoption of telehealth, today launched ATA Action, its new affiliated trade organization focused on ensuring individuals have permanent access to telehealth services across the care continuum. ATA Action will work to support the enactment of state and federal telehealth coverage and appropriate payment policies to secure telehealth access for all Americans, including those in rural and underserved communities. The ATA also announced today that Kyle Zebley, vice president, public policy, will also serve as the executive director of ATA Action.
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), the premier organization working to accelerate the adoption of telehealth, today launched ATA Action, its new affiliated trade organization focused on ensuring individuals have permanent access to telehealth services across the care continuum. ATA Action will work to support the enactment of state and federal telehealth coverage and appropriate payment policies to secure telehealth access for all Americans, including those in rural and underserved communities. The ATA also announced today that Kyle Zebley, vice president, public policy, will also serve as the executive director of ATA Action.
“Now is the time for policymakers to act on telehealth. The ATA is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the policy gains we’ve made over the past two years do not go away, reverting us back to an out-of-date care delivery system that leaves millions of vulnerable patients out in the cold,” said Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of the ATA. “As we make further gains this year, we also understand that new challenges will arise that will require our continued public policy efforts. ATA Action builds on the significant momentum and widespread support for telehealth, leveraging an even stronger voice and more significant presence in Washington and in state capitals across the country.”
ATA Action follows the ATA’s well-established, carefully defined Policy Principles that support the appropriate use of technology to reimagine care to ensure all people receive care where and when they need it. In the short term, ATA Action is working to make certain that the temporary flexibilities that were put in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency extend at least through 2023, while simultaneously working to make policies permanent.
Click here to continue reading…
Source: Broadband Breakfast
By
WASHINGTON, January 21, 2022––Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared a draft regulation that aims to would promote competition and greater broadband choice for tenants in apartment buildings.
If adopted, the regulations would prevent practices that keep tenants from choosing their own broadband provider.
“With more than one-third of the U.S. population living in apartments, mobile home parks, condominiums, and public housing, it’s time to crack down on practices that lock out broadband competition and consumer choice,” said Rosenworcel.
The proposal would prohibit broadband providers from entering into revenue-sharing agreements with apartment building owners. If approved by her fellow commissioners and hence adopted as official agency rules, the regulation would also require providers to disclose any existing marketing arrangements they have with building owners to tenants.
Click here to continue reading…
Source: mHealthIntelligence
By Primary care, medical specialty, and surgical specialty providers saw an uptick in telehealth utilization when the pandemic hit in 2020, but virtual care use dwindled in the second half of the year, a survey found.
– Telehealth utilization peaked in the first half of 2020 and decreased as the year came to a close, with providers predicting that virtual care use would continue to decline in upcoming years, according to the 2021 Medical Group Telehealth Survey.
AMGA Consulting conducted the survey and gathered responses from 56 medical groups representing more than 38,000 healthcare providers.
The majority of the participants (86 percent) were part of multispecialty groups with primary care, while the remaining were either multispecialty without primary care, primary care, or single-specialty groups.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems and clinics restricted in-person care, which unsurprisingly led to the increased adoption of virtual care services.
Telehealth utilization among medical groups saw the most significant increase between the first and second quarter of 2020, the survey found. Primary care specialty groups had the biggest incline, with telehealth accounting for 1.9 percent of all visits in Q1 and 33.3 percent of all visits in Q2.
Medical and surgical specialty groups also hit their telehealth use peak in Q2, with a respective 26.7 percent and 12.6 percent of all visits being conducted virtually.
“The explosive growth of telehealth in 2020 was not surprising. It was an extraordinary reaction to an extraordinary situation,” Fred Horton, president of AMGA Consulting, said in a press release. “As we study the long-term effects this uptick in utilization had on quality, I believe we’ll find that telehealth adds a new dimension to healthcare delivery.”
Click here to continue reading…
Each year the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) celebrates individuals who are serving the vital health needs an estimated 57 million people living in rural America. On National Rural Health Day, November 18, 2021, Community Stars from all 50 states were recognized. Congratulations to South Carolina’s 2021 Community Star, Palmetto Care Connections CEO Kathy Schwarting! Read her story on page 47 of the NOSORH Community Star publication. https://en.calameo.com/read/0045723395dc12ef8ac48
About 4,500 Cherokee County homes and small businesses lacked access to internet service last year, but change is in the air — or rather, the ground.
The county and Charter Communications have launched a two-year public-private partnership in which the Upstate county will model Charter’s plans for its $5 billion broadband expansion to an estimated 1 million homes and businesses across the country.
The project will draw on the Federal Communication Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
“Broadband is a vital resource for work, learning and personal connection,” Jessica Geremia, Spectrum’s area vice president of field operations, said in a news release. “Leveraging RDOF resources, we’re building a high-speed, high-capacity network that will bring gigabit internet to thousands of homes and small businesses in Cherokee County — an investment that will ensure families and businesses can participate fully in the digital world, now and well into the future.”
The Cherokee project, funded with more than $3 million, began Jan. 1 and is expected to connect 3,000 homes and small businesses to high-speed internet.
Click here to continue reading…
Written by: Kathy Rhoad, PCC Director of Public Relations & Program Development
BAMBERG, SC— Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) has been awarded $782,575 through the Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program as part of its second round of funding.
PCC serves as a leading partner and administrator for the South Carolina Rural Telehealth Initiative, a consortium of diverse health care providers that will deploy a telehealth platform and remote patient monitoring devices to enhance: 1) remote care of patients with COVID-19, 2) remote care for select chronic disease patients with high risk of mortality from acquiring COVID-19, and 3) telehealth capabilities for COVID-19 and other admitted patients to critical access hospitals.
The health care providers in the consortium operate primarily in rural, underserved communities located in the Upstate, Midlands, Pee Dee and Low Country regions of the state. Health care organizations in the SC Rural Telehealth Initiative include Williamsburg Regional Hospital, Allendale County Hospital, Lowry’s Primary Care in Chester, Clemson Health Clinic – Walhalla, Little River Medical Center, Clyburn Center for Primary Care of Rural Health Services, Inc. and the Alpha Behavioral Health Center in Chesterfield County.
The funds will cover the costs of remote monitoring devices such as connected blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, and pulse oximeters so high-risk patients can continue receiving quality care remotely with lower risk of COVID-19 transmission. In addition, the funds will reimburse the cost of the development of a telehealth platform.
The SC Rural Telehealth Initiative will be co-led by PCC Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting, MHA and Clemson Rural Health Director Ron Gimbel, Ph.D. “Patients with certain chronic disease and other conditions are at heightened risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2. Innovation in remote patient monitoring and telehealth connectivity (in the home) helps to protect vulnerable patients while promoting self-management of their chronic condition. Remote patient monitoring includes enabled medical devices that capture biomedical readings and visualize trends to help guide patients. The devices, such as weight scales, blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, pulse oximeters, peak flow meters, and others will be integrated within a dedicated telehealth platform to provide trended data for comparison by patients, clinical staff and providers. Safety thresholds and aligned messaging to patients will help the high-risk patients isolate at home, receive care remotely, and guide them when readings are troublesome,” said Gimbel. “Within our critical access hospital partners, the devices will be used within the hospital facilities to ensure high quality care despite of nursing shortages and other challenges.”
“The SC Rural Telehealth Initiative is committed to improving access to care and health outcomes for SC residents. In addition to patients with COVID-19, our health providers will be treating high risk patients who have Type-2 diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, obesity, and substance use disorders. Many of the patients are underrepresented minorities and older adults including veterans,” said Schwarting.
According to a news release, the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program supports the efforts of health care providers to continue serving their patients by providing reimbursement for telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices necessary to enable telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Round 2 is a $249.95 million federal initiative that builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act.
“As the impact of new variants continue to challenge our healthcare system, the FCC has worked diligently to review and approve funding commitments as part of our COVID-19 Telehealth Program,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in the news release. “As we head into 2022, the ability to treat patients and loved ones from the safety of their home is of vital importance.”
Established in 2010, PCC is a non-profit organization that provides technology, broadband, and telehealth support services to health care providers in rural and underserved areas in S.C. PCC co-chairs the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, along with the Medical University of South Carolina, serving as an advocate for rural providers and partnering with organizations to improve health care access and delivery for all South Carolinians. The National Cooperative of Health Networks Association named Palmetto Care Connections as the 2021 Outstanding Health Network of the Year. PCC Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting received South Carolina’s 2021 Community Star award presented by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.
Pictured: Riley Van Coutren Pictured: Tara Stokes
Written by: Kathy Rhoad, Director of Public Relations & Program Development
BAMBERG, SC—Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) Chief Executive Officer Kathy Schwarting
announces two new staff members: Riley Van Coutren, Technical Analyst, and Tara Stokes, Digital
Literacy Coordinator.
PCC Technical Analyst Riley Van Coutren brings a variety of organizational, computer,
communications and customer service skills to the team. Her prior experience includes serving as a
Legal Assistant at a law firm specializing in bankruptcy. Previously, she was a Broker/Dispatcher for a
worldwide shipping company.
Van Coutren is a graduate of Lexington High School and is currently working toward an
Associate of Arts and Science degree at Midlands Technical College in West Columbia.
Digital Literacy Coordinator Tara Stokes joins PCC with more than 20 years of health care
experience. A native of Bamberg, S.C., she has worked in rural health care settings throughout her
career. Her previous positions include Office Manager for an independent Obstetrics and Gynecology
practice, Medical Staff Coordinator at a regional health care system, and Medical Staff Coordinator,
Credentials Coordinator, Rehabilitation Services Assistant and Registrar for a rural hospital.
Stokes received a Medical Office Assistant degree from Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical
College.
“The addition of these two talented individuals is a testament to Palmetto Care Connections’
growth. COVID-19 has created an explosion in telehealth services and uncovered a tremendous need
for internet access and digital literacy in rural areas” said Kathy Schwarting, PCC Chief Executive
Officer. “On the broadband side of the house, PCC helps health care providers receive up to 65
percent savings on their broadband costs. Riley will be instrumental in helping even more health care
providers receive those broadband savings.”
“Tara will be primarily responsible for assisting with our Digital Literacy Program,” said
Schwarting. ““PCC recently completed Digital Literacy training for 100 seniors aged 60 and older in
rural communities in Allendale, Barnwell, Williamsburg, Clarendon and Lower Richland counties. The
pilot program has proven to be very successful, and we plan to expand the “Palmetto Connect” digital
literacy training statewide for both seniors as well as unemployed individuals in underserved areas
who need digital skills to apply for jobs and enhance daily living.”
Established in 2010, PCC is a non-profit organization that provides technology, broadband,
and telehealth support services to health care providers in rural and underserved areas in S.C. PCC
leads the S.C. health care broadband consortium which facilitates broadband connections for health
care providers throughout the state. PCC co-chairs the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance, along with
the Medical University of South Carolina, serving as an advocate for rural providers and partnering
with organizations to improve health care access and delivery for all South Carolinians.
The National Cooperative of Health Networks Association named PCC as the 2021
Outstanding Health Network of the Year. PCC CEO Kathy Schwarting recently received South
Carolina’s 2021 Community Star award presented by the National Organization of State Offices of
Rural Health.
Today, Palmetto Care Connections announced it is working to help build awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The new long-term benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford internet service.
The $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount of up to a $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on qualifying Tribal lands. The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines;
- Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
- Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard) Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
- Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income program.
Affordable Connectivity Program enrollment opened on December 31, 2021. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or by (1) going to ACPBenefit.org to submit an online application or print a mail-in application and (2) contacting their preferred participating broadband provider and selecting a plan. Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET any day of the week.
About Palmetto Care Connections
Palmetto Care Connections (PCC) is the telehealth network for South Carolina that offers telehealth support services to rural and underserved health care providers.
