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When it comes to telemedicine, the Apple Watch heart monitor may be one of the best products on the market today. Heartbeat monitors in watches and fitness tracking bands are not necessarily a new thing, but they are not always accurate. The Apple Watch stands out because it is creating clinical-quality results. What makes these watches so different are the biometric sensors built into them.

Accuracy Matters

Apple originally designed the watch to offer high-end, every accurate measurement tools for blood oxygen levels as well, but pulled back on this after accuracy concerns. However, when it comes to heart rate, it seems to be right on point. One engineer from SonoPlot, a plotting instrument company compared the watch’s heart rate monitor to that of the Mio 2, which creates EKG-quality results in a device worn on the risk. The results tracked very closely. The Mio 2, which has been scientifically proven to be accurate, seems to match the same quality in terms of functionality and accuracy.

Why Does It Work So Well?

While other heart rate monitors seem to provide high quality results, the Apple Watch stands out. It uses two LED lights and light-sensitive photodiodes to pinpoint the amount of blood flowing through the veins at any given time. The green LED lights pulse right down through the skin hundreds of times each second. Since a heartbeat creates a higher amount of blood flowing through the veins, the device senses the heart rate. The higher amount of blood absorbs less of the LED light than the lower amounts of blood, giving the device information. From this, the watch calculates the beats per minute.

As far as the oxygen sensors, the company was unsure if it could achieve the same level of accuracy due to hair, sweat, and dirt factors, and therefore does not guarantee its accuracy.

When it comes to telehealth, it is more efficient and effective than ever to not just know that your heart rate is changing on that run, but also that it is being monitored very accurately. Not only could this be effective in terms of fitness goals, but in telemedicine, where technology is leading the way in helping to diagnose, monitor, and treat a variety of medical conditions. With EKG-quality results, this is a device likely to be used in telehealth for years to come.

Healthcare given via telemedicine will be paid similarly to the physical doctor visits in 24 states as reported by the American Telemedicine Association during its annual meeting. Reasonable progress has also been observed in telehealth regulations over the last six months.

During its annual conference in Los Angeles this week, the ATA announced that 24 states including Washington, D.C. have endorsed equality laws obliging similar coverage of and payment for services offered via telemedicine akin to in-person services by state-accepted private insurance policies, state worker medical programs, and Medicaid. Last September three more states had similar laws in operation.

Pediatrician James McElligott the medical director for telemedicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Health said in an interview that in South Carolina Ninety percent of the private insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield and they had each year made little or no progress in telehealth payment with this being the reason they will not go the parity legislation way.

Medicare payment for telehealth services, the only type not covered by the ATA investigation, is a still a challenge to states with a particular kind of topography, for instance, South Carolina.

According to Mark Lyles the MUSC which is operated and owned by South Carolina State, was still able to acquire over $31 million in the face of these hardships in two years time to craft a statewide telemedicine scheme. Lyles is the MD and chief strategic officer at the clinical enterprise of MUSC. MUSC then procured complementary funding from the Duke Endowment and others; Lyles told an ATA meeting.

Lyles further added that they are presently engaging with key lawmakers to escape from the one-time apportionment procedure, which makes it difficult to plan for the future and as a result they are soliciting for some of the future aid to be integrated into the base budget.

The report of ATA Coverage and Reimbursement ranked Rhode Island and Connecticut at the bottom. The Report evaluates telemedicine implementation for each state in the U.S. based on 13 pointers. Ever since the release of the initial in September 2014, the District of Columbia and five other states have maintained the very high composite score signifying an obliging strategy landscape that promotes telemedicine acceptance while Mississippi and Maryland have dropped from an ‘A’ to ‘B’ owing to further constraints being placed on telemedicine coverage in their Medicaid system.

The report had discrepancies from the preliminary report released in September. With procedure modifications made to house out-of-state physician-to-physician discussions via telehealth, the only state that improved from ‘A’ was Massachusetts. Twenty-two other states received the maximum composite grade, which implies that an exceedingly encouraging policy landscape is present in these states for adoption and usage of telemedicine.

Idaho, West Virginia, and The District of Columbia dropped from an ‘A’ to ‘B’ in ATA ratings owing to the formation of new telehealth clinical practice rules in their states. Alabama is joined by Texas as the only two states with the slightest composite score, ‘C,’ due to adjustment of telemedicine policies.

UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance in the country is partnering with three telemedicine companies to put telehealth at par with a regular trip to the doctor’s office via video chat. UnitedHealthcare will cover virtual doctor visits offered through NowClinic, American Well and Doctor on Demand. The initiative is intended to give people enrolled in self-funded employer health plans 24-hour online access to a physician using real-time audio and video technology, whether at home or on the go.

Access to Affordable Health Care Options

The platforms will connect thousands of patients with doctors making telemedicine more accessible in most parts of America especially in rural areas where subspecialty care is often lacking. Video based virtual visits cost less than $50, but members will only have to pay their usual co-pay, making telehealth more affordable. The coverage for virtual care provider is available to self-funded employer customers and is set to expand to individual plans participants and the UnitedHelthcare employer-sponsored customers in 2016. This will give more people expanded in-network care options.

Innovative Telemedicine Solutions

UnitedHealthcare is an influential player in the health care industry and its partnership to telemedicine is a strong sign that technology is entering the mainstream in the medical care. Telemedicine has many benefits including convenience, immediacy, and easy access, and this groundbreaking initiative is a significant step for the healthcare industry to expand telehealth coverage. The initiative validates the approach of telemedicine giving access to quality medical care.

Telehealth companies will use technology to eliminate most overheads that contribute to the high cost of health care. Video- based virtual visits will also help care centers offload some of the easily treated cases. The participants can obtain diagnosis and necessary prescriptions for minor medical needs like flus, cold, sinus, allergies, bruises and bumps out of the offline settings freeing up the waiting rooms so that doctors can focus on patients who really need in-person care. The value-based initiative plans to deliver excellent patient experience giving them access to reliable and cost efficient access to medical care whenever they need it.

Teladoc, a healthcare provider through phone and video appointments in the Dallas area, filed a federal antitrust lawsuit on Wednesday to stop enforcement of new curbs on telemedicine services in the Texas state.

On April 10 the Texas Medical Board approved some rules barring doctors from giving telemedicine care to patients not previously seen personally. Telemedicine will only be authorized to patients without a prior visit if they are at a medical center, for instance, a clinic, hospital or even a pharmacy. Mental health appointments are ineligible from these regulations, which are to be enacted in June.

The lawsuit indicts the board for unlawful limitation of competition and requests a preliminary ruling to stop the policy pending a jury trial to determine the row. Jason Gorevic the CEO of Teladoc said in a statement that the medical board was claiming that the new policy is meant to protect the patient’s wellbeing, but the board did not have any substantial evidence jeopardizing the patient’s safety due to telemedicine.

The lawsuit held that the new regulations would increase prices and trim down access to healthcare in Texas causing Teladoc a tragic and irreversible damage, making the company close shop in Texas and probably countrywide. In 2014, Teladoc’s activities in Texas fetched $10 million or 23 percent of its entire revenue. The case was filed a day after Teladoc filed for an IPO of its stock.

If the rule is endorsed, Texas and Arkansas will be only states requiring a face-to-face visit before telemedicine engagements. The suit asserts telephone discussion without previous in person meeting risks the patient health and that the panel provided major pharmacies with copies describing the policy.

The American Telemedicine Association CEO Jonathan Linkous said that other forms of telemedicine like remote monitoring would not be affected by the Texas regulations.

Other unions within the healthcare sector have questioned whether the policy would stop doctors from taking patient calls when sitting in for other physicians. The scheme specifically consents to one section of the regulations, although the board did not revise another sub-division of the laws as demanded by the Texas Medical Association to shed light on the matter.

The “Doc Fix” Bill is poised to help the telemedicine and telehealth sectors. Telemedicine is just one of the beneficiaries of the changes that have been introduced by the nicknamed “doc fix” bill, which has the formal title of the Medicare Access to CHIP Reauthorization Act. The bill was passed in Congress on the 15th of April in 2015 and then President Obama signed it into law on the following day. The bill introduces a number of changes regarding the methodologies of reimbursement and financing of US health care, which includes a shift from the common fee-for-service model and moving toward accountable care organizations, payments based on risk and a stronger focus on providing quality and population health.

The organizations that currently utilize telehealth have recognized that these new models for payment are perfectly suited for the increased care management, quality and access that are offered by the technologies of telemedicine. The Act has been a signal to health care providers that when these methods of care are embraced – telehealth and telemedicine – they will be positioning themselves in a way to utilize the latest payment options.

However, this Act has also included a number of specific provisions that benefit remote patient monitoring, specifically for Medicare. Essentially, it states that payment for telehealth services is not being provided by Medicare even if it was not offered previously.

The Act includes a number of provisions that are intended to help and promote innovation and exceptional care delivery by allowing various health care providers to purchase and use the powerful technologies and telemedicine tools that are now available on the market. This is a vision that is related to the prior surveys taken in health care executive leadership. However, when these providers work to continue developing their telemedicine programs and pursue the new payment options, the leaders are displaying that they understand that the smartest option is to wait for the law to get up to speed – since it will.

In the advent of telemedicine and telehealth services, most people are still not sure about which particular illnesses require the attention of an online doctor and which ones require an actual physical visit to the physician. American Well doctors can treat you for numerous health issues online, but there are certain conditions that are most preferred for this method of treatment. These conditions include:

1. Sinus Infection

This condition is one of those that can be effectively treated by an online doctor. Patients with this illness will exhibit symptoms such as allergies, a severe cold and teeth and face pain. These discomforts indicate that you have a sinus infection that is the most common disease that our doctors at American Well treat. The tricky part is determining whether the condition is bacterial or viral. If it is bacterial, you will need antibiotics to control it. Nevertheless, you will still need the opinion of an experienced physician to ascertain what exactly the cause is.

2. Common Cold

This condition is known as an upper respiratory infection in the medical term, but it is just a common cold to most people. Despite the fact that it is common, and most people can self-prescribe the medication, it is still crucial to consult an online doctor and find out whether there is another underlying serious condition. The doctor will also verify whether the home treatment you are taking is the appropriate for the condition.

3. Bronchitis

The symptoms of this condition exhibit themselves through a persistent cough. Apparently, bronchitis is quite common and mostly occurs if a person has a cold or suffers from other respiratory infection. Notably also, most people do not treat this condition properly at home that makes it worse and difficult to treat once they seek a doctor’s attention. Patients are supposed to consult a doctor so that they can prescribe for you an antibiotic in case the condition was triggered by a bacterial infection or an inhaler if it is more severe. That way, you will be on the safe side.

4. Urinary Tract Infection

Those who have suffered from a Urinary Tract Infection before are aware of how painful and unsettling it can make you feel. Research shows that a person who has had one of these infections before is highly susceptible to getting it again in the future. Therefore, you should seek medical attention urgently and begin a specialized antibiotics treatment so that you can get cured quickly.

5. Sore Throat

A medical term for this condition is pharyngitis. This common illness could either be triggered by a virus such as a flu or and it could also be as a result of a strep throat. To get an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment, you will need the input of a qualified doctor.

6. Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye

The most common symptom of this condition is getting discolored eyeballs. A severe case of conjunctivitis can make you value your bright eyes more as they will turn to an unusual pink color hence the name pink eye. This condition can affect anybody, but it is most common among children. It can also be easily transmitted to other healthy people which is why you should contact the doctors immediately and start undertaking treatment.

7. Upset Stomach

An upset stomach can restrict your movements and detain you at home whether it has been occasioned by food poisoning, norovirus or gastritis. It is only a doctor who can diagnose the exact cause of the ailment and prescribe for you the right medication. Regardless of the cause of your symptoms, however, it is crucial that you stay hydrated.

8. Flu

When you miss getting your routine flu vaccine, you have a high risk of falling sick when the season comes. Flu infections intensify from around October until the end of spring. However, people can still get the flu at any other time in the course of the year. Since flu is usually diagnosed according to one’s symptoms and their exposure to the causative virus, the best method to use while treating the condition is by telemedicine. That way, there will be a minimized risk of spreading it to other patients in the hospital, as well as the doctor.

9. Allergies

The typical symptoms of allergies or hay fever or allergic rhinitis as it is also known are sniffling and sneezing. It can be necessary to see a doctor because of your allergies if it is the first time you are experiencing them, if they are worsening or if they are interfering with your productivity at work.

10. Skin Wound or Rash

Regardless of the cause for a skin wound or an unsightly rash, self-diagnosing it can be a challenge. There can be confusion as to whether the symptoms are as a result of an ongoing healing process or a new infection. A doctor will be in a better position to recommend an appropriate treatment for you if they see the rash or wound.

Telemedicine is a new twist on the old-fashioned house call. Physicians like it because they can ‘see’ their patients to make a better diagnosis than they can over the phone. As for the patients, they like being able to stay home instead of battling to get to an office across town or hours away.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Kansas City has begun to utilize telemedicine to treat vets from their own home. With the help of nearly 2,000 mobile care centers, doctors from tens of miles away can conduct a physical exam with the help of remote connections for stethoscopes and other medical tools and see the results on a screen in front of them. Specially trained techs or nurses travel out in the field to perform simple procedures or tests that at one time necessitated the need for travel to a VA office and often a night at a hotel.

The cost associated with telemedicine is steep, $50,000 for each mobile medical cart, but those who support the technology-driven idea feel that investing this much is more than worth it for its convenience and peace of mind. In addition, telemedicine saves the Veterans Affairs Medical group that much in the cost of transportation and lodging for VA patients who have to come to the medical center.

The benefits of telemedicine make it one of the most important innovations of the 21st century. In a way it takes the field of medicine back to its roots where doctors traveled across the country with their medicine bags in tow, stopping in small towns and offering medical treatment to people who otherwise would never see a doctor. In a world that is moving too quickly to take the time out for doctor’s appointments, telemedicine can mean catching an illness or disease early enough to treat with a favorable prognosis.

In the technologically advanced world of today, nearly everything is being done online. One of the final frontiers to be conquered by online communication is medicine. The telemedicine revolution is in full effect and many people are starting to see the benefits it brings with it. Telemedicine refers to any patient/doctor interaction which takes place via video or text messaging. This technology is being used to do everything from schedule appointments to diagnosis aliments. Here are a few of the many benefits you can gain when using telemedicine.

More Information

For most doctors using this technology, the biggest benefit is the additional information it can give them when making a diagnosis. A doctor can only tell so much about a patient’s condition when talking on the phone to a patient. By having video chat capabilities, a doctor is able to look at the patient to obtain the information they need to make a diagnosis.

Remote Consultations Can Be Life-Saving

By being able to video chat with a physician, you will be able to know how serious your ailments are. In some cases, this technology can save lives.

Cost Effective Care

Another reason why telemedicine is so beneficial is the cost effectiveness. For people without Obamacare, finding treatments will low price tags is important.

Early Diagnosis

One of the best ways to beat a condition or ailment is catching and treating it early. With the use of telemedicine, you will be able to get this diagnosis from the comfort of your home.

Reduce Negative Reactions

When prescribing a patient a new treatment, the doctor will be able to check in as the treatments begin. This will help them to see warning signs faster if a change is needed.

Better Patient Coordination

For most office managers, using secure texting is a great way to coordinate appointments and keep things organized.

Great for Rural Patients

For customers who live in rural areas, getting access to quick healthcare can be quite an undertaking. With the use of telemedicine, these individuals are able to get the care they need when they need it.

More Timely Treatments

Another major benefit of telemedicine is the timely treatments it facilitates. By the use of this technology, patients are able to get fast care, which helps to increase their quality of life.

Help For First Responders

The use of telemedicine has even extended into the world of first responders where it is used to provide real-time treatment until the professionals arrive. This has saved many lives and is just another example of the power of telemedicine.

Enhance Senior Wellness

Many doctors started using this type of technology to care for the elderly. By having a direct link to the senior, the doctor will be able to spot problems and address them quickly.

With all of the many benefits which come with the use of telemedicine, it is easy to see why it has become so popular.

With the advent of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, many things have changed. One of those changes may be the number of primary and specialty care physicians available. While these changes may cause some disruption in traditional medicine, they are also likely to help advance more efficient methods. Telemedicine, or telehealth is one of the most effective of these modern techniques.

Telemedicine Is Remote Assistance

Telemedicine is physician assistance from afar. With modern technology, people are talking to one another on a nearly constant basis. Video chats have become routine in offices and between friends. Telemedicine takes advantage of this technology, allowing physicians, technicians and nurses to communicate without the hassle and time required in commuting from one place to another. Physicians can eliminate some of their costly travel from office to office or from home to office. Video chatting and remote monitoring are quickly eliminating unnecessary trips.

Safer, More Efficient Health Care Through Telemedicine

Often, a patient with a simple illness can be treated without ever seeing the doctor. Valuable time that used to be wasted driving to the doctor’s office can be retained simply with a telehealth checkup. Patients do not necessarily need to sit in a physicians office, exposing themselves to the myriad of diseases and illnesses that other patients have brought with them. Patients also do not need to expose others unnecessarily. Telemedicine is the modern, safe and efficient alternative to old-fashioned house calls.

As the overall number of primary and specialty physicians continues to decline with the changes Obamacare has ushered in, the time each doctor has available will also decline. Modernizing the industry of health care is essential to meet these challenges. Telemedicine is a proven technique to reduce unnecessary travel, cut costs and eliminate safety challenges connected with office visits. The future of medicine certainly lies in a physician’s ability to reach as many patients as possible, while providing accurate diagnoses and advise. Telemedicine is the answer.

In a recent Supreme Court decision, the Federal Trade Commission voted 6-3 against in a case versus the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners (NCBD). The ruling, which determined that medical boards consisting of private professionals are not immune to federal anti-trust laws. The board in question had been sending cease-and-desist letters to non-dentists providing teeth whitening services, often at a lower cost than treatments offered in dental clinics. This attempted regulation of who can enter a given industry directly violates the Sherman anti-trust laws that prevents anti-competitive practices between companies and organizations.

What does a court case on teeth whitening mean for telemedicine? Taken at face value, the ruling does not have any direct effect on telemedical professionals currently working in the field . However, this sets an important precedent for potential cases in the future: one of the biggest obstacles facing telemedicine practice are state licensing boards comprised of medical professionals, many who feel threatened by increased use of telemedicine as an option for treatment. With the NCBD case ruling, this sets an example for future legal battles between state licensing boards and telemedical providers. It may be that telemedical companies can use this as a legal precedent to sue licensing boards that place unfair restrictions upon their practices, and lead many to end up settling rather than pursuing litigation.

Overall, telemedicine is still a relatively new field with a bright, but uncertain future. However, with important decisions like the teeth whitening case being made in the Supreme Court, the legal pathway is being paved for young, rising companies to defend their practices. With the age of Obamacare, telemedicine pioneers such as Teladoc have even been able to join forces with leading health insurances providers to offer coverage for virtual doctor’s appointments. While medical professionals already working in the field have few reasons to worry about their practices, telemedicine is becoming a more sensible and easily-accesible option for patients, has gained a strong foothold in the world of modern healthcare.