ATA: ‘Stars are aligning’ for telehealth

“The stars are aligning” for telehealth this year, as legislators, corporations and state governments are showing growing interest in this field for its potential to reduce costs and improve access to care, Jonathan Linkous, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) said during the association’s monthly meeting on Jan. 28.

Gary Capistrant, ATA's senior director of public policy, cited two big items that will push forward the telehealth agenda, both scheduled to take place in February:

• The theme of the next issue of Health Affairs will focus on “The Rise of Connected Health,” examining disruptive technologies like telehealth.
• Former Senate majority leaders Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.) are joining former Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) and major companies to kick off an alliance for connected care that will promote telehealth and innovations in telehealth.

“Those are two things that are on the tip of the iceberg that show the kind of change in Washington that will really move forward telehealth,” said Capistrant.

In his legislative update, Capistrant said that the Senate Finance Committee is looking at passing major physician payment reform, and is working with the Congressional Budget Office to better identify and score specific uses of telehealth, including its potential to reduce costs, to push telehealth provisions along. Under the reform, alternative payment methods would be put into place in 2017.

Congress may balk at passing the entire $120 billion (over ten years) payment reform bill, which contains a provision capping the sustainable growth rate (SGR). However, he said that it’s “very conceivable” provisions related to telehealth will get enacted.

“Whether they are able to pull off the repeal on SGR—whatever happens—the language with telehealth and interoperability will move forward,” he predicted.

He also noted that Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who recently became chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is “a real champion of telehealth" focused on advancing technology in the healthcare space.

Also, some bills hold the potential to move forward the telehealth agenda. These include the Telehealth Enhancement Act of 2013 (H.R. 3306) and two pertaining to licensure issues: TELE-MED Act of 2013 (H.R. 3077) and Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support Act of 2013 (H.R. 2001).

“Those two licensure bills have over 100 cosponsors in Congress,” Linkous said.

Also, legislative activity at the state level is rising. “There are 20 states with major, significant bills to advance telehealth,” said Capistrant, adding that ATA soon will unveil a tool to helps its members keep track of the latest developments.

Linkous also said the association hopes to bring more patients into the conversation so they can advocate for better reimbursement and access to telehealth. “Telemedicine is about people. Our members save lives.”