Telehealth
Fortius Institute for Musculoskeletal Research has secured funding for the statewide expansion of its digitally enabled nurse concierge service with the Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group.
Remote Patient Monitoring
The rural Illinois health system says more than 80% of the mothers it reaches out to with an option for remote patient monitoring decide to enroll – and 75% stay actively engaged to be monitored for the first six weeks of postpartum care.
Brandi Clark, vice president, digital care, OSF OnCall, at Illinois health system OSF HealthCare, offers predictions on telemedicine and remote patient monitoring technologies and reimbursement for the year ahead.
Health Minister Simeon Brown has outlined investment priorities, which a new Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health will help deliver.
Pilots will grow up, says the CMO of behavioral health telemedicine provider Iris Telehealth. Artificial intelligence will identify which patients need urgent attention and allocate limited clinical resources more effectively, he explains.
The agency confirmed that eligible Medicare telehealth reimbursements would be processed retroactively for virtual visits, and cleared up confusion on provider home address reporting requirements.
The joint initiative is meant to develop specific rural healthcare strategies, rather than simply adapting urban models. The aim is to co-create a unified operating approach that benefits rural providers and patients alike.
Physician staffing shortages are serious, with rural hospitals in particular having a difficult time keeping enough doctors onsite. Virtual hospitalists can handle admissions, rounding and discharges from afar, says one physician expert.
The two-month reprieve extends through January 2026. While some providers are restarting telehealth services, it remains unclear whether eligible virtual care reimbursements, accrued during the 43-day shutdown, will be approved for retroactive payment.
Also, one of New Zealand's largest private radiology providers is implementing an integrated workforce management system.