Can telemedicine be used to treat drug addiction?
This past January, the Addiction Industry Executive Summit held their annual meeting. Among the topics was telemedicine addiction—treating addiction remotely. Telemedicine is already commonly used to treat illnesses such as pink eye and bronchitis, but whether it should be used for addiction recovery has been debated heavily. Read more
After a long wait, the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes have finally been updated to include telemedicine. A “95” modifier can be added to CPT codes for real-time remote encounters with a video and audio component; the list includes outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) codes, consultation codes, and behavioral health codes, among others. Additionally, a new place of service (POS) code, telemedicine CPT code 02, is required for clinicians who bill for telemedicine services. Read more
First-of-its-kind, plug-and-play backpack reliably connects patients and doctors to improve care and reduce costs
Lexington, Mass – February 14, 2017 – swyMed, a provider of exceptional-quality video telemedicine solutions, today unveiled the DOT Telemedicine Backpack. It is the first lightweight, mobile telemedicine solution that enables field care providers to conduct high quality, reliable, real-time video consults with physicians to treat patients even in the most remote areas or on the go. Leveraging swyMed’s patent-pending video technology, the DOT Telemedicine Backpack delivers smooth, reliable connectivity for Mobile Integrated Healthcare, at the lowest bandwidth in the market. The company will be showcasing its DOT Telemedicine Backpack at HIMSS17, taking place on February 19th-23rd in Orlando, FL. Read more
A recent study opens new avenues for individuals with depression: Therapy conducted with video medicine can work just as well as in-person visits. This means that patients who have limited mobility, who live in remote areas, or who do not seek treatment openly due to stigmas may soon be able to access psychotherapy treatments privately from their homes or local medical clinics. Read more
In Rochester, Minnesota, obstetricians have a new tool in their arsenal: emergency telemedicine for newborns. Ten community hospitals are using the technology to consult with neonatologists at the Mayo Clinic for issues such as newborn resuscitation, resulting in higher patient safety, increased quality of care, and reduced transfers to the neonatal ICU at Mayo. Read more
Last week, a New Jersey Senate committee unanimously approved a bill that would regulate the telemedicine industry. The proposed legislation compels payment parity, safeguards the prescribing of addictive medications, and calls for the State Board of Medical Examiners to determine the specific criteria for telemedicine regulation. Read more
TechTarget recently highlighted swyMed as one of the most interesting technologies at ATA 2016, the annual conference and trade show of the American Telemedicine Association. Considering that 279 exhibitors competed for the attention of 6,000 visitors, we’re pleased to have made an impression. Read more
As part of an ongoing effort to reduce the incidence of diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of new-onset blindness, healthcare providers urge diabetics to have yearly eye exams. Despite their efforts, however, less than two-thirds of adult diabetics in the U.S. visit the eye doctor for screening. Researchers at the University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center took a different approach: What if eye doctors could go to the patient instead—via telemedicine screening? Would patients participate in such a program? Read more
This year, swyMed is honored to be chosen for the 2016 Innovation Showcase, which highlights up-and-coming movers and shakers in the telecommunications industry. Sponsored by the Telecom Council of Silicon Valley, the panel features 20 startups as selected by the organization’s service provider and investor members based on innovation, viability, momentum, and management. Read more
The growing acceptance of telemedicine is bringing changes in the way medical care is delivered. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned expert, below are a few intriguing facts you might not know, courtesy of Becker’s Hospital Review. Read more
