BOSTON, MA. – Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, Director, Center for Connected Health, applauded the American Medical Association’s new policy advocating for pilot projects testing innovative payment models for treatment delivered remotely, including telephone, email, web portals and other electronic means. The new policy was adopted during the 159th Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association House of Delegates.
“Connected health strategies are an important component of today’s medical care offerings and we are delighted that the AMA recognizes the value and benefit to connecting healthcare providers with patients in innovative ways,” said Dr. Kvedar.
“By supporting reimbursement of connected health programs for the management of such chronic conditions as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart failure, we can improve patients’ quality of life and, ultimately, treatment outcomes.
Our healthcare system is faced with growing challenges in care delivery. By giving providers time-saving, cost-effective tools to deliver quality care, and by empowering patients to become more engaged in their health, we are taking important steps forward to ensure better access to quality care across the board,” he added.
The new policy directs the AMA to advocate “pilot projects of innovative payment models be structured to include incentive payments for the use of electronic communications such as Web portals, remote patient monitoring, real-time virtual office visits, and e-mail and telephone communications.” All “non-face-to-face electronic visits” should be adequately paid for, according to the newly adopted policy.
“We want insurers and Medicare to recognize this is going to be a true form of health care delivery, not just a convenience,” said Barbara L. McAneny, MD, then chair of the AMA Council on Medical Service. “This should be a separately reimbursable and Medicare-payable expense.”
