Telehealth is often lauded as a solution for inequities in health care. But many of the same disparities persist from in-person to virtual care: Lack of insurance, language differences, literacy challenges, broadband access issues, and more.
VTN’s Equity & Telehealth initiative provides content and resources that aim to equip providers across the Commonwealth with tools, education, and best practices for meeting all needs of patients via telehealth.
Topics
Older Adults | Racial Disparities | Patients with Limited English Proficiency | Mental and Behavioral Health | Enhancing Telehealth Accessibility For Those With Disabilities | Underserved and Underconnected Localities | Social Drivers of Health
Medicare Telehealth Changes: Impacts, Challenges, and Strategies for Virginia Providers and Patients
During the Public Health Emergency, Congress enacted several temporary measures that waived certain restrictions concerning telehealth coverage under Medicare, greatly improving health care access for Medicare patients. While these waivers have been extended several times since their adoption, it is possible they will expire in 2025. Originally, Medicare telehealth waivers …Read More »
2025 General Assembly Sine Die Update
Photo Caption: Dr. Karen Rheuban, VTN Board Chair, testifies during the 2025 Virginia General Assembly. The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its 45-day legislative session on the evening of February 22, 2025. Over the course of the session, the House of Delegates and Senate introduced a total of 1,994 bills – …Read More »
School-Based Telehealth Clinics Launch in Hampton and Harrisonburg
For many families, accessing timely health care isn’t as simple as making an appointment. Working parents may struggle to take time off, transportation challenges can make doctor visits difficult and long wait times for appointments can mean kids may go without the care they need. These barriers are especially tough …Read More »
Take Action:
Tips and Resources for Enhancing Equity in Your Practice
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- Telehealth.HHS.Gov: Preparing Patients for Telehealth
- West Health: Equity in Telehealth – Toolkit for Telehealth Providers
- Health Center Resource ClearingHouse: Telehealth Resources – Access and Equity
- Telehealth Equity Coalition: Solutions
- Telehealth.HHS.gov: Ensuring Equal Access to Telehealth
- Better Care Playbook: Telehealth’s Impact on Health Equity: Evidence Roundup
- Telehealth.HHS.gov: Improving Access to Telehealth
- Temple University Center for Population Health: Telemedicine Tip Sheets for Providers and Patients
- NRC Health: Guide to Delivering Empathic Telehealth Visits
- Planning Your Telehealth Workflow
- Providing Health Literate Virtual Health Services
- American Medical Association: Telehealth Implementation Book
- Upper MidWest Telehealth Resource Center: Telehealth and Health Literacy – Promoting Patient Understanding
Keep the Conversation Going
Each month we will feature Virginia-grown telehealth successes that meet the needs of our community in novel and inclusive ways. Submit an abstract or story ideas here.
