Telehealth Virtual Resource Center
The MHCC offers information on health information technology adoption and use, including telehealth. In March 2020, MHCC began developing this Telehealth Virtual Resource Center, which provides technical assistance to health care practices implementing or expanding telehealth services. Resources build upon MHCC's prior work with telehealth; for more information click here.
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Telehealth Readiness Assessment (TRA) Tool
The TRA Tool includes a self-assessment questionnaire with supporting guidance and informational resources for practices thinking of adopting, expanding, or improving telehealth services. It takes about 20 minutes to complete.
The web-enabled version of the TRA Tool is available here; or, click here to download a PDF version. More information about the TRA Tool is available in this user guide. Provide feedback on the TRA Tool by completing this user survey. |
Telehealth Technology Vendor Portfolio
The MHCC worked with stakeholders to develop a lightweight Telehealth Technology Vendor Portfolio (portfolio). The portfolio is expected to save practices time identifying and reviewing over 70 HIPAA-compliant telehealth vendors. With just a few clicks, users can select basic technology features, such as compatibility with medical devices (e.g., blood pressure cuffs and glucometers) and integrations with electronic health care systems that practices should consider when reviewing telehealth products. The portfolio also includes vendor user ratings, including ease-of-use and overall product satisfaction. This provides practices with a unique opportunity to generate a list of HIPAA-compliant telehealth vendors to begin the process of evaluating telehealth solutions and the vendor providing the service.
The portfolio is available here.
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Educational Materials for Consumers
The MHCC is helping to raise consumer awareness and understanding of telehealth through public service announcements, podcasts, and educational flyers that explain the basic mechanics of telehealth and answers to frequently asked questions. Practices are encouraged to share these educational flyers with their patients.
Click here to access the Consumer Telehealth web page.
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Informational Resources
Technology & Cybersecurity
Wearable Technology and HIPAA: What Providers Need to Know – Privacy and security considerations for data collected and shared using consumer wearable technology.
People: The Frontline of Cybersecurity – 3 Good Habits for Small Practices – Basic cybersecurity best practices that anyone can adopt.
Identifying a Telehealth Solution that Works for Your Practice – Guidance on telehealth vendor evaluation, selection, and contracting.
Using Peripherals in Telehealth Practice – Information on telehealth peripherals for use in remote diagnosis and treatment, including best practices for implementation.
Telehealth and Electronic Health Record Integration – Overviews benefits of integrating a telehealth solution with an electronic health record (EHR) system and existing telehealth integrations among the top EHR vendors used by Maryland ambulatory practices.
Incorporating Telehealth in Home Health Care: Practical Strategies and Applications – Key considerations for telehealth implementation and uses in home care, including lessons learned from home health providers.
Safeguarding Privacy and Security in Telehealth: Tips to Keep Your Practice Safe – Important privacy and security considerations for telehealth practice.
Payer Policies & Liability
Payer Telehealth Policies – A Reference Guide for Ambulatory Practices – Government and private payer eligibility and billing requirements for telehealth, including waivers during the PHE.
Payer Remote Patient Monitoring Policies – A Reference Guide for Ambulatory Practices – Government and private payer coverage and billing requirements for remote patient monitoring.
Medical Professional Liability Insurance – Key Considerations for Telehealth – Overviews important aspects of liability coverage for providers adding or expanding telehealth services in their practice.
Virtual Care Delivery
Improving Access to and Use of Telehealth: What Behavioral Health Providers Need to Know – Tips to help remove barriers to telehealth, particularly for vulnerable patient groups.
Telehealth After the Pandemic: Considerations for Sustainable Telehealth Workflows – Tips for optimizing workflows for telehealth practice beyond the PHE.
Making the Virtual Visit a Success – Provider Tips for Telehealth – Considerations to help providers make the most of their telehealth interactions with remote patients.
Engaging Patients Using Telehealth – Tips for providing telehealth services to meaningfully engage patients as active participants in their own care.
Remote Patient Monitoring – Value for Patients and Applications During a Public Health Emergency – Illustrating how remote patient monitoring benefits patients, featuring specific uses during a PHE.
Understanding the Value of Remote Patient Monitoring – Highlights key considerations for providers looking to deploy remote patient monitoring and benefits during a PHE.
Telehealth and COVID-19: What Providers Need to Know – Considerations for telehealth practice, including changes in use requirements during the PHE.
Additional Resources
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Preparing for Teledentistry – A Guide for Dental Practices
This guide is intended to help dental practices plan for teledentistry. A self-assessment questionnaire and supporting guidance are included in the guide to assist dental practices in identifying areas for improvement and increasing teledentistry readiness. Areas for consideration relate to implementing new technology, obtaining staff and patient buy-in, redesigning workflows, and assessing practice and patient needs. The guide is available here.
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Webinar: Leveraging Technology to Meet Student Needs During COVID-19 and Beyond
Two nurses in Baltimore County Public Schools provide tips and resources for school nurses to engage with students and their families in a virtual environment during the COVID-19 PHE. More information about the webinar is available here. Click here for a copy of the slides; click here to listen to the webinar on-demand.
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Related Links
Grants & Financial Assistance Programs
HHS: CARES Act Provider Relief Fund
HIPAA
Telehealth Resource Centers: HIPAA and Telehealth
OCR: FAQs on Telehealth and HIPAA During the COVID-19 Nationwide PHE
OCR: HIPAA Rules and Audio-Only Telehealth
Public Health Emergency Status
Maryland
MDH: Maryland COVID-19 Case Map Dashboard
Federal
CDC: COVID Data Tracker
HHS: Public Health Emergency Declarations
Telehealth Policy & Regulations
Maryland
MDH: Maryland Medicaid Telehealth Program
MDH: Maryland Board of Physicians Frequently Asked Questions
Other States
Federation of State Medical Boards: U.S. States and Territories Modifying Requirements for Telehealth in Response to COVID-19
Federal
CMS: Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions
CMS Medicare Learning Network: New and Expanded Flexibilities for RHCs and FQHCs During the COVID-19 PHE
USDA: COVID-19 Telehealth Service Changes
Toolkits & Guidelines
AMA: Quick Guide to Telemedicine in Practice
AMA: Telehealth Implementation Playbook
AMA: What Physicians Need to Know – Working from Home during COVID-19 Pandemic
CMS: General Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit
CMS: State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit – Policy Considerations for States Expanding Use of Telehealth – COVID-19 Version
Center for Care Innovations: Telemedicine for Health Equity: Considerations for Reaching and Engaging Diverse Patients
MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society: COVID and Your Business FAQs
MDPCP: Spotlight: Using Telehealth in COVID-19 Pandemic
Questions about Telehealth?
Email
Justine.Springer@maryland.gov