Telehealth and Virtual Care

Overview

Virtual care encompasses all the ways healthcare providers can interact and engage with patients remotely. Examples of ways virtual care can be offered include Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). Telehealth is the integration of information and communication technologies as a medium for providers to deliver healthcare services.  Both allow providers to deliver healthcare services in a more effective and patient centered manner to those facing access barriers.

The MPCA supports its members with the procurement, adoption, optimization and sustainment of telehealth systems and services through varies partnerships and funding sources.

Highlighted Topics

  • Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): MPCA applied for and was awarded FCC funding to procure RPM devices and services for member health centers. Nine health centers applied to participate and received 300 RPM kits consisting of Bluetooth enabled BP devices, weight scales and pulse oximeters. Twelve months of RPM vendor services was purchased for these centers with this funding as well.
  • Luma Health is a patient outreach and engagement technology platform that the MPCA’s Health Center Controlled Network partnered with and is currently used by more than 50 percent of its membership. Luma Health also offers a telehealth platform.

Resources

  • The National Association of Community Health Centers hosts Telehealth Office Hours the second Thursday of the month at 2 p.m.  For previous recordings, details, and registration, please check out the NACHC Telehealth Resources for Health Centers webpage.

MPCA

Federal

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

  • General Telemedicine Policy Changes (MSA 20-09)
  • Telemedicine Services Database
  • Clinic Institutional Billing
  • COVID-19 Response: Service Exception Database
  • COVID-19 Response: Relaxing Face-to-Face Requirement (MSA 20-12)
  • COVID-19 Response: Telemedicine Policy Expansion (MSA 20-13)
  • COVID-19 Response: Limited Oral Evaluation via Telemedicine (MSA 20-21)
  • COVID-19 Response: Telemedicine Policy Changes, Updates to Coverage for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy (MSA 20-22)
  • COVID-19 Response: Telemedicine Reimbursement for Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, and Tribal Health Centers (MSA 20-34)
  • COVID-19 Response: Clarification on Notice to Terminate Policies and Processes (MSA 20-36)
  • COVID-19 Response: Emergency Services Only Beneficiaries and Coverage for Testing and Treatment of COVID-19 (MSA 20-40)
  • COVID-19 Response: Telemedicine Policy Rate Change; MI Care Team Health Action Plan Telemedicine (MSA 20-42
  • COVID-19 Response: Telemedicine Policy Changes for Audiology Services (MSA 20-53)

Navigating and Implementing New Technology

Third-Party

Relevant Partners