Therapists at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska, were able to adapt lessons to telehealth services during the pandemic, helping the children and caregivers alike continue receiving services. Tobi Maracle, the mother of three children in an Anishinaabe-Mohawk family, says the use of telehealth services has given her family more time to be together.
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/PHOTO COURTESY OF TOBI MARACLE
Many insurers offering virtual-first plans hire outside firms to provide medical staff, who may hold licenses in several states and not be located nearby.
Oct 19, 2021
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Dr. Paula Bednarek works at her computer in the Planned Parenthood Northeast Portland Health Center.
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BROOKE HERBERT/THE OREGONIAN/OREGONLIVE
Health industry leaders are pushing Congress and the Biden administration to preserve the pandemic-fueled expansion of telehealth that has transformed how millions of Americans see the doctor.
House Bill 2508 would allow providers to continue to get telehealth reimbursed at the same rates as office visits while banning barriers to virtual or telephonic consultations.
“There are unscrupulous providers out there, and they have much greater reach with telehealth,” said Mike Cohen, an operations officer with the Health and Human Services Inspector General’s Office.
Jun 29, 2020
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Telemedicine visit with Kaiser Permanente.
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COURTESY OF KAISER PERMANENTE NORTHWEST
Oregon is extending telehealth regulations that eased access during the pandemic until Dec. 31. But advocates and providers want them extended six months beyond that to give lawmakers time to enact a permanent change.
Jun 23, 2020
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Former state Rep. Rachel Prusak, D-Tualatin/West Linn introduced the bill launching a "bridge health plan" to help people making up to 200% of poverty level. Shown, she talks during a virtual Oregon Health Forum panel in 2020.
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BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT
The Federal Communication Commission has awarded Legacy Health nearly $370,000 to boost its telemedicine program. The money will pay for equipment in emergency departments where COVID-19 has not infected providers, it said.
May 22, 2020
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Telemedicine visit with Kaiser Permanente.
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COURTESY OF KAISER PERMANENTE NORTHWEST