Resources & Reports

In CCHP’s April 25, 2023 In Focus titled Health Data Privacy & Telehealth, we wrote about the rising concern regarding how telehealth vendors and practitioners were protecting and using health data.  We discussed recent actions the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had taken against dubious data sharing practices.  On July 20, 2023, the FTC and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) cautioned hospitals and telehealth providers on the privacy risks of online tracking technologies that may be integrated in websites and apps they were using. They warned that these tracking technologies may be disclosing personal health data to another party without the patient’s permission.

CCHP’s September Newsletter is here! This month’s topics include – Medicare Payment Rules Address Telehealth for Hospice, SNFs & CAHs in Medicare FCHIP Demonstration; Recap of DEA Telehealth Policy:  DEA listening sessions happening today and tomorrow; Significant Telehealth Policy Dates & Deadlines; Latest Policy Developments in CCHP’s Telehealth Policy Finder and Policy Trends Map; Telehealth Provider Survey from New York; Study Finds Providers Aren’t More Likely to Prescribe ADHD Drugs via Telehealth; Open for Questions:  FQHC Billing Assistance Technical Assistance.

CCHP hopes everyone enjoyed a much-needed day of rest and relaxation on Labor Day yesterday! As summer comes to a close and we look toward fall, we wanted to take this time to provide a few reminders of upcoming important telehealth policy dates and deadlines occurring over the coming weeks and months…

During the pandemic, the depth of the digital divide became even more apparent in all aspects of life, from education to healthcare. The increased attention to, and importance of, audio-only telehealth policies in particular is inherently connected to barriers to high-quality internet and digital devices necessary to utilize other telehealth modalities. To properly address these digital equity concerns additional funding and engagement across an expanding group of stakeholders and agencies has increased and numerous broadband initiatives and investments have been made over the past couple of years.

One of the most common questions CCHP continues to receive, especially with the expiration of both federal and state public health emergencies, relates to the ability to provide and receive telehealth services across state lines.  When telehealth is used it is considered to be rendered at the physical location of the patient.  Therefore, typically providers must adhere to the laws and regulations of the state the patient is physically located in, which means having a license, participating in a Licensing Compact or falling under a licensing exception.