Telehealth News Recap - January 2021

Keep up with the latest news, trends, interviews, and insights in the virtual care space with our monthly telehealth news recap.

We’re kicking off the start to 2021 with a candid conversation on the journey to solve healthcare’s most vexing problems, an expert take on whether we’ll see continued momentum behind telehealth reimbursement, an inside look at an insurance plan’s startup incubator, and a promising study on how we can best address the country’s mental health crisis.

Trends & Insights

About a quarter of health care workers have considered leaving their job since the onset of the pandemic

After carrying an exhausting mental and physical burden and with seemingly no end in sight, the pandemic has led to a significant portion of healthcare workers questioning their professional futures. More than 10 percent of those surveyed said the pandemic has led them to thinking they might leave the healthcare profession altogether.

Read the full report from Morning Consult >

Ginger study finds virtual mental health services are crucial to help address rising anxiety rates

A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research indicates that on-demand mental health care incorporating virtual services can be effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety. The study also found that behavioral health coaching can be just as effective as clinical telehealth services for anxiety reduction.

Read the full article in FierceHealthcare >

Inspiring & Engaging Conversations

Healthcare's problems are so complex that even the most well-funded startups struggle to fix them

Carbon Health’s CEO recently spoke with Business Insider about their price transparency efforts, explaining that the complexity of insurance plans and legacy billing models make it so the automated system to calculate those costs is wrong roughly 40% of the time.

Read the full interview in Business Insider >

Your ultimate guide to hiring doctors in digital health

One of the most challenging hires any digital health company can make is a chief medical officer. Former CNBC reporter Christina Farr spoke with the CMOs at Accolade, Omada, and others to get a better understanding of how digital health companies have approached developing clinical leadership.

Read the full interview in Second Opinion >

Policy & Regulatory Updates

Foley & Lardner break down their top five digital health policy predictions for 2021

This year digital health companies could expect to see changes to telehealth reimbursement, increased scrutiny of patient privacy, and continued friction for allowing clinicians to practice across state lines, according to the law firm.

Read the full post from Foley & Lardner >

State legislatures have introduced about 300 bills aimed at expanding access to telemedicine

As we approach the one-year mark since the pandemic disrupted healthcare operations, state lawmakers have sprung into action to pass an unprecedented amount of legislation aimed at expanding access to telemedicine. Yet industry experts argue that every bill is not created equal and this recent wave of legislation could introduce unnecessary barriers to care.

Read the full article in Healthcare IT News >

Growth & Innovation

Digital health’s game-changing year: 2020 funding recap

2020’s stress test to our healthcare system created what felt like a fast forward button for digital health, with unprecedented growth in funding, adoption, policymaking, and national attention. Through the year, US digital health companies raised a record-setting $14.1B in venture funding across 440 deals — a 72% increase from the previous record-breaking year in 2018.

Read the full report from Rock Health >

A look inside Anthem's new digital incubator

As healthcare continues to evolve, legacy players are aiming to be the first to gain access to the latest innovations. At Anthem, that effort has meant launching its own Digital Incubator, which pairs financial backing with mentorship and opportunities for partnerships with universities and corporations.

Read the full article in FierceHealthcare >

At Wheel, we believe healthcare will move forward when we amplify the impact of virtual care for more patients. Learn more about the Wheel solution for virtual care companies and find out how Wheel can help launch, scale, or sustain your telehealth business.

🎥 On-Demand Webinar: Virtual Care Predictions from Wheel and Amazon Clinic! 🔗 Watch Now >

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