Telemedicine Toolkit

Guidelines/Recommendations

AHIMA Telemedicine Toolkit

The American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) telemedicine toolkit summarizes telemedicine’s introduction to the medical field, benefits and challenges associated with it, requirements of a successful telemedicine program and how to get started.

Checklists

MGMA Telehealth Startup Checklist

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) provides a startup checklist to assist in the operations of telehealth. It gives direction with the implementation and workflow of these services. It also focuses on reinforcing the physician’s role in physician-patient engagement.

Guidelines/Recommendations

ANA Core Principles on Connected Health

A guide is available to prepare healthcare professionals in the use of technology in healthcare. Telehealth experts base these principles from the policies they develop. Literature suggests that telecommunications can be useful in healthcare by using this foundation.

Flyer/Sign/Poster

Determining Staffing Needs for Direct-to-Consumer Telehealth

This decision guide features steps to determine the staffing needs for conducting telehealth in your practice or facility. It focuses on the advantages and disadvantages that interest staff and clinicians connected to virtual visitation.

Webinar Slides

Telemedicine Overview and Best Practices

This presentation provides a solid foundation in understanding the legal and regulatory issues surrounding telemedicine, including licensure, the standard of care, informed consent and credentialing and privileging. This presentation has been updated from Complying with Telemedicine Requirements by Nadia de la Houssaye, Attorney at Law, Jones-Walker, LLP, and given at the LHA Trust Funds Trends in Healthcare Seminar on July 13, 2017.

Guidelines/Recommendations

Telemedicine Fact Sheet

Telemedicine is a technology in patient care that is growing at a rapid rate. This fact sheet provides information on the numerous types of telemedicine services that are offered and also sets forth some key facts that you need to know when considering telemedicine at your organization.

Checklists

10 Critical Steps for a Successful Telemedicine Program

Telemedicine is the hot topic of healthcare these days and is predicted to be the future of healthcare. Many questions have arisen in regard to this practice, particularly in establishment of this project. Concerns include issues related to the finances, security, environment and representatives involved in this process. Specific steps need to be taken in order to develop a successful telemedicine program. Here are 10 critical steps that have been identified to ensure all bases are covered in order to implement this service.

Guidelines/Recommendations

Telehealth Playbook

The Telehealth Playbook was developed by the American Medical Association in 2020 to help physicians quickly implement telehealth services in their office practices. The playbook offers step-by-step assistance in implementing a telehealth program and answers many questions associated with these services.

Guidelines/Recommendations

Telehealth Interoperability White Paper

The American Telemedicine Association shares a white paper on telehealth interoperability related to the recent expansion of telehealth services. To keep up with these services, it discusses plans to implement standards to achieve technical interoperability in the many facets of telehealth services.

HIPAA Guidelines on Telemedicine

When communicating patient health information from a distance, there is always the risk of concern of encountering a breach. It is the facility’s responsibility to comply with HIPAA standards and maintain confidentiality with all communications that occur electronically. This article reiterates that safeguards remain in place, and the transfer of information is secure by any route used in the transmission of patient information.

Guidelines/Recommendations

Health E-Access Telemedicine Interview Guide

AHRQ has developed an interview guide for use in the ambulatory setting. It is a survey to assess the patient’s experience with access to care and perception of telehealth.

Evaluation tools

Health Information Technology Evaluation Toolkit

This evaluation toolkit provides step-by-step guidance to assist in developing strategies for monitoring information technology. It provides examples of measures for evaluation and project examples.

Managing the Risks of Telemedicine

This article encompasses the many risks confronted with the use of telemedicine today. It focuses on five specific areas that are at high risk with the use of these services. These include litigation, licensing, policies and procedures, documentation and informed consent, and contracts. The data cues in on how to avoid or manage these fields.

Guidelines/Recommendations

ASHRM Telemedicine White Paper

The ASHRM Telemedicine White Paper examines telehealth risks utilizing an enterprise risk management framework. This document analyzes risks within the ERM domains of operations, clinical, strategic, financial, human capital, legal, technology and hazard-mitigation.

Guidelines/Recommendations

Louisiana Telehealth Access Act

A quick link provided by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners that summarizes Louisiana telehealth law. The Louisiana Telehealth Access Act discusses legislative findings, definitions and rules defined for telehealth services.

Guidelines/Recommendations

Telemedicine Policies by State

A chart is available with an overview of telemedicine policies by state. It specifies if a state license is required, reimbursement policies affiliated with Medicaid and private payer, and other rules and regulations.

Algorithms

Telemedicine: Regulatory and Liability Trends

This article sums up the growth of telemedicine. It discusses many of the challenges, liability concerns, licensing and mandates to comply with regulatory agencies involved with this thriving communication affecting healthcare.

Guidelines/Recommendations

Telemedicine License Out of State Physicians

These licensing requirements must be adhered to for a physician to be considered “licensed” to provide telemedicine to patients who are located outside of Louisiana at the time of service—even if the patient is regularly seen in an office in Louisiana.

Policy Templates

Sample Telemedicine Policy

Policies are a set of rules put in place by a facility to ensure safety and promote staff compliance. Telemedicine programs should have good policies and procedures in place to serve as a guide for staff and ensure patient safety. The sample policy provided illustrates the procedures in place for telemedicine related to psychiatric services.

Policy Templates

Sample Patient Consent Form

The following sample consent form is for a telemedicine program. A consent form is a detailed explanation of a procedure or process in which one gives authorization for or declines a procedure after a discussion of risks and benefits with the physician.

TexLa Telehealth Resource Center

This resource center provides resources to new and existing programs for the Texas and Louisiana regions. It consists of state updates and upcoming events related to telemedicine and telehealth.

American Telemedicine Association

This organization focuses solely on telehealth with the goal of efficient delivery. It includes policies, events, initiatives, resources and news associated with telemedicine.

MGMA: New Ways to Get Paid for Telehealth Services

Medical Group Management Association offers news and insights, resources, data, advocacy, events, certification and more. This site focuses on keeping professionals up to date on changes and striving for positive results.

USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program

This program offers a grant to assist rural communities in distance learning and telemedicine. It provides guidelines for who is eligible for the award and guidance on completion of the application.

Center for Connected Health Policy

The Center for Connected Health Policy, The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center, informs about telehealth laws, policies and the latest regulatory changes. It has an interactive map and provides monthly features and news updates.

Articles

Telemedicine: A Practical Guide for Incorporation into Your Practice

A practical guide is available to incorporate telemedicine into physician practices that outlines steps and beneficial guidelines through an interactive learning module.