telemedicine

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Telemedicine visit with Kaiser Permanente. | COURTESY OF KAISER PERMANENTE NORTHWEST

Some Insurers Now Insisting On Virtual Visits

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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Abortion pills. | PHOTO BY VALASIURUA/WIKI COMMONS

Telemedicine Abortions Offer Cheaper Options But May Also Undermine Critical Clinics

Telemedicine abortion options are on the rise, but advocates worry they don’t reach the patients who need them the most.

Sep 7, 2021

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Telemedicine visit with Kaiser Permanente. | COURTESY OF KAISER PERMANENTE NORTHWEST

Pandemic Made Telemedicine An Instant Hit. Patients And Providers Feel The Growing Pains.

Health systems, clinics and private practices pivoted swiftly to telemedicine when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but video services were not prepared for a titanic influx of users.

Jul 26, 2021

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Dr. Paula Bednarek works at her computer in the Planned Parenthood Northeast Portland Health Center. | BROOKE HERBERT/THE OREGONIAN/OREGONLIVE

COVID Was A Tipping Point for Telehealth. If Some Have Their Way, Virtual Visits Are Here to Stay.

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.

Jun 7, 2021

Telemedicine Is a Tool — Not a Replacement for Your Doctor’s Touch

Many of the new types of telemedicine being promoted by start-ups more clearly benefit providers’ and investors’ pockets, rather than yielding more high-quality and cost-effective medicine for patients.

May 6, 2021

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Telemedicine visit with Kaiser Permanente. | COURTESY OF KAISER PERMANENTE NORTHWEST

State Extends Pay Parity For Telehealth

The Department of Consumer and Business Services has struck an agreement with health insurance companies in Oregon to continue coverage through June 30 for in-network telehealth visits with providers.

Dec 21, 2020

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Telemedicine visit with Kaiser Permanente. | COURTESY OF KAISER PERMANENTE NORTHWEST

Telemedicine or In-Person Visit? Pros and Cons

Providers and hospitals across the country reported a dramatic rise in virutal visits this spring, and though in-person visits have since increased, telemedicine is expected to be here to stay.

Oct 27, 2020

Coronavirus Fuels Explosive Growth In Telehealth ― And Concern About Fraud

“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. | COURTESY OF KAISER PERMANENTE NORTHWEST

State Loosens Telehealth Rules As Providers Ramp Up Services

Mar 25, 2020

Telemedicine Bill Passes House: Requires Payment for Videochat Healthcare

Zoom+ lobbyist Len Bergstein and Rep. Knute Buehler said SB 144 would revolutionize healthcare, offering a lower-cost, easy option for patients to receive guidance from doctors and other providers from the comfort and convenience of their homes or workplaces through two-way video conferencing.

May 28, 2015