What is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)?
Remote patient monitoring is an innovative way that healthcare providers are using to treat chronic and acute conditions. With COVID-19 spurring faster adoption of telehealth and RPM, the subject of RPM involves the connection of digital tools that record healthcare data that is reviewed by an off-site provider.
What is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)?
Remote patient monitoring is an innovative way that healthcare providers are using to treat chronic and acute conditions. With COVID-19 spurring faster adoption of telehealth and RPM, the subject of RPM involves the connection of digital tools that record healthcare data that is reviewed by an off-site provider. According to HHS, new treatment methods like RPM can help with the following conditions:
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Weight loss or gain
Heart conditions
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Sleep apnea
Asthma
Many of the devices that patients will use may be familiar to them, including:
Weight scales
Pulse oximeters
Blood glucose meters
Blood pressure monitors Telehealth.hhs.gov
At Lanton Law we have been monitoring the both exciting and emerging field of RPM. We fully anticipate the conversation to continue to evolve into further regulatory definitions as well as appropriate reimbursement schemes.
Lanton Law is a national healthcare and technology boutique law and government affairs firm that closely monitors legislative, regulatory and legal developments for our clients. Our HealthIT practice can help stakeholders understand what’s at issue with topics like RPM, RTM and digital therapeutics so that we can help our valued clients. Contact us to learn about how either our legal or lobbying services can help you attain your goals.
U.S. House passes legislation to extend telehealth waivers through 2024
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed passed the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022 (H.R. 4040). The bill proposes to extend telehealth flexibilities under Medicare that were initially authorized during the public health emergency of COVID-19. The bill heads to the U.S. Senate.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed passed the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022 (H.R. 4040). The bill proposes to extend telehealth flexibilities under Medicare that were initially authorized during the public health emergency of COVID-19. The bill heads to the U.S. Senate.
Specifics of the proposal are as follows:
Provides that certain flexibilities continue to apply until December 31, 2024, if the emergency period ends before that date.
Beneficiaries to continue to receive telehealth services at any site, regardless of type or location (e.g., the beneficiary's home);
Occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists to continue to furnish telehealth services;
Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to continue to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner);
Evaluation and management and behavioral health services to continue to be provided via audio-only technology; and
Hospice physicians and nurse practitioners to continue to complete certain requirements relating to patient recertifications via telehealth.
The bill also delays implementation of certain in-person evaluation requirements for mental health telehealth services until January 1, 2025, or the first day after the end of the emergency period, whichever is later.
Lanton Law is a national boutique regulatory law and lobbying firm that focuses on healthcare/life science and technology. If you are an industry stakeholder with questions about the current landscape or if you would like to discuss how your organization’s strategic initiatives might be impacted by either Congress, regulatory agencies or legal decisions, contact us today.
Amazon to Acquire Primary Health Care Provider
Amazon has decided to take another step forward in healthcare by acquiring One Medical.
Amazon has decided to take another step forward in healthcare by acquiring One Medical.
According to the press release “One Medical is a human-centered, technology-powered national primary care organization on a mission to make quality care more affordable, accessible, and enjoyable through a seamless combination of in-person, digital, and virtual care services that are convenient to where people work, shop, and live.”
Amazon will acquire One Medical for $18 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $3.9 billion, including One Medical’s net debt.
We have been monitoring Amazon’s healthcare moves for a while. In 2017 we forecasted our thoughts in a blog post with Victor Morrison on whether the company would wade into healthcare. We posted when Amazon Launched its U.S. Pharmacy Business and followed their moves into biometrics. This is definitely not the last move the company will make in healthcare. The only issue is whether there will be antitrust scrutiny.
Lanton Law is a national boutique regulatory law and lobbying firm that focuses on healthcare/life science and technology. If you are an industry stakeholder with questions about the current landscape or if you would like to discuss how your organization’s strategic initiatives might be impacted by either Congress, regulatory agencies or legal decisions, contact us today.
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Announces Virtual Physical Therapy Program
UHC has announced a partnership with Kaia Health on a new virtual physical therapy program. The program is aimed at shoulder or knee problems and other musculoskeletal issues.
UHC has announced a partnership with Kaia Health on a new virtual physical therapy program. The program is aimed at shoulder or knee problems and other musculoskeletal issues.
How does it work?
According to the announcement “The app uses a front-facing smartphone camera and artificial intelligence technology to analyze a user’s movement patterns while performing PT exercises. The program gives real-time tips for carrying out safe, effective exercise sessions that typically last between 10-25 minutes. If, at any point, a certified health coach is needed, one can be accessed using an in-app chat feature.
The app is part of a broader set of in-person and virtual musculoskeletal support tools available to eligible UnitedHealthcare members recovering from surgery or injury, including knee, back or shoulder problems. The programs are designed to help improve health, reduce costs and avoid often unnecessary invasive treatments, including imaging, surgery or opioid prescriptions.”
We continue to see emerging innovation within healthcare around digital healthcare and digital therapeutics. Opportunities abound for those looking for new ways to care for patients.
Lanton Law is an innovative firm at the center of tomorrow’s legal, policy and market trends. We continue to monitor the developments of emerging sectors such as digital healthcare and give counsel to stakeholders accordingly. Contact Lanton Law to discuss your lobbying and legal strategies.
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Prescription Digital Therapeutics Presses Ahead for Behavioral Health
At Lanton Law we have been monitoring the both exciting and emerging field of prescription digital therapeutics. While the technologies we have been witnessing are promising, there does remain the challenge of reimbursement, since there has not yet been a statutory benefit category established for this new technology. However; behavioral health shows the most immediate promise.
At Lanton Law we have been monitoring the both exciting and emerging field of prescription digital therapeutics. While the technologies we have been witnessing are promising, there does remain the challenge of reimbursement, since there has not yet been a statutory benefit category established for this new technology. However; behavioral health shows the most immediate promise.
A recent CMS meeting illustrates this point. CMS released a document titled “Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Application Summaries and Coding Recommendations” for the Second Biannual, 2021 HCPCS Coding Cycle. The document can be viewed here. The document describes Pear Therapeutics’ reSET-O which is a “12-week interval prescription digital therapeutic for opioid use disorder (OUD).” CMS’ examination ended with its decision effective April 1, 2022 to establish a HCPCS Code to “facilitate options for non-Medicare payers to provide access to this therapy in the home setting,” so that CMS can continue its marketplace monitoring. This on top of the AMA’s CPT Editorial Panel’s actions (seen here) to establish a new CPT code for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Monitoring effective January 2023 shows that there will definitely be more certainty in this field in the next coming years.
Lanton Law is a national healthcare and life science boutique law and government affairs firm that closely monitors legislative, regulatory and legal developments for our clients. Our HealthIT practice can help stakeholders understand what’s at issue with topics like digital therapeutics, RTM and RPM so that we can help our valued clients reach their goals. Contact us to learn about how either our legal or lobbying services can help you attain your goals.
Federal Privacy Laws Are Currently in the Making
In preparation for 2020, Lanton Law is forecasting that it is more likely than not that some form of federal privacy legislation will become law in 2020. One proposed legislative candidate for privacy in 2020 is the Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act (COPRA).
In November 2019, we published a blog post titled More Data Oversight on the Horizon that discussed increasing Congressional oversight over data privacy, while highlighting the importance of the Online Privacy Act of 2019.
In preparation for 2020, Lanton Law is forecasting that it is more likely than not that some form of federal privacy legislation will become law in 2020. One proposed legislative candidate for privacy in 2020 is the Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act (COPRA). This bill is sponsored by Senator Cantwell (D-WA).
According to Senator Cantwell’s press release, the Act otherwise known as S.2968 “establishes privacy rights, outlaws harmful and deceptive practices, and improves data security safeguards for consumers shopping or conducting business online.” The release discusses specifics stating that (COPRA) “gives Americans control over their personal data; prohibits companies from using consumers’ data to harm or deceive them; establishes strict standards for the collection, use, sharing, and protection of consumer data; protects civil rights; and penalizes companies that fail to meet data protection standards. The legislation also codifies the rights of individuals to pursue claims against entities that violate their data privacy rights.”
The question is whether this legislation will be able to pass in a hotly contested election year. At this point it is unknown. This bill thus far has no Republican co-sponsors so it has yet to gain bi-partisan traction. However; with the new and increasing scrutiny surrounding tech companies and their treatment of consumer data, we anticipate that the political winds may shift against technology companies. It’s better to be aware of trends instead of being caught off guard by them.
Lanton Law helps tech and fintech stakeholders navigate both the regulatory and legislative landscape on a state and federal level. If you have questions about compliance, new potential business strategies or what the policy landscape will look like for your business, contact us to learn about your options.