News Archive

HHS Finalizes Rule to Advance Health IT Interoperability and Algorithm Transparency The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) today finalized its Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing (HTI-1) rule.

According to Jaleen Johnson, program manager for the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC), social determinants of health have long been connected to digital literacy and broadband connectivity. However, to better understand that relationship, digital equity and inclusion must first be defined, and an explanation provided as to why these concepts are important, and how they relate to healthcare.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General alerts the public about a fraud scheme involving monthly billing for remote patient monitoring.

In a letter submitted to the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health for a hearing Nov. 14, the AHA expressed support for the CONNECT Act (S.2016/H.R. 4189) and urged Congress to allow Medicare beneficiaries to access telehealth services wherever they and their providers are and allow rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers and critical access hospitals to serve as distance sites. Testifying at the hearing were representatives from the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Michigan and Harvard Medical School.

The American Telemedicine Association and ATA Action acknowledge the significance of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) publication of its calendar year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, notably the extension allowing providers who render telehealth services from their homes to list their practice address instead of their home address on their Medicare enrollment, through the end of 2024.

Developed by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning & Evaluation (ASPE), the tool provides data on telehealth visits by Medicare beneficiaries from 2019 through 2021. Compares telehealth use by patient characteristics, including urban and rural residence and Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), visit specialty, health conditions, and state.