ATA Releases Telehealth Interoperability White Paper with Insight for Providers, Payers, and Technology Vendors and Guidance for Successful, Interoperable Telehealth Initiatives


White paper will be released at ATA19 Annual Conference, along with round table presentation to discuss findings

 

Arlington, VA – April 15, 2019. The ATA, the nation’s leading telehealth association, today released a comprehensive industry white paper, “Telehealth Interoperability: Driving Choice, Continuity, and Scale.” The white paper defines and describes the value of interoperable telehealth systems, addresses the opportunities and challenges for all stakeholders, discusses standards and the importance of governance and workflows for successful implementation, and presents a path forward and best practices for health systems to follow in implementing telehealth programs. The paper is available for download at http://americantelemed-5096139.hs-sites.com/ata19-telehealth-interoperability.

“Interoperability of telemedicine will define its future,” said Dr. Andrew Watson, president of the ATA and vice president, Clinical Information Technology Transformation at UPMC. “In the era of value-based care, understanding data and how telehealth relates to the frontline care systems of both payers and providers is critical. For telehealth to be relevant—and even to be a frontline system itself—it must be interoperable for ease of use, cost of integration, security, and patient/member identification. This important interoperability initiative governs much of the promise for the future of telemedicine.”

The ATA white paper is a result of an ongoing interoperability initiative that has brought together key stakeholders including health systems, payers, and telehealth vendors to discuss this critical issue and drive toward solutions. Contributors include Mike Baird, American Well; Richard Bakalar, M.D., ViTel Net; Wendy Deibert, The VirtualEngine; John Glaser, Cerner; Ryan Howells, Leavitt Partners and CARIN Alliance; Allen Izadpanah, ViTel Net; Rachana Jain, Humana; Rob Kolodner, M.D., ViTel Net; Deanna Larson, Avera eCare; Lew Levy, M.D., Teladoc Health; Dan Munro, journalist/writer; Mark Noble, ViTel Net; Karen Rheuban, M.D., UVA; Don Rucker, M.D.,ONC; Carla Smith, consultant; David Smith, Third Horizon Strategies; Nina Solenski, M.D., University of Virginia Medical School; Robert Wah, M.D., DXC; and Andrew Watson, M.D., UPMC.

Telehealth Interoperability Panel Discussion at ATA19

This important conversation continues with a panel discussion covering and extending the concepts of the white paper at the ATA19 Annual Conference on Monday, April 15 at 10:15 a.m. Moderated by Ryan Howells, Leavitt Partners, the panel includes Richard Bakalar, MD, VitelNet; Wendy Deibert, The VirtualEngine; Nina Solenski, MD, University of Virginia Medical School; and Andrew Watson, MD, UPMC.

A webinar panel discussion that launched the initiative is also available for download.

 

About the ATA: The ATA is the only organization completely focused on advancing telehealth to ensure that every individual has access to safe, affordable, and effective healthcare when and where they need it. The organization represents a broad and inclusive member network of technology solution providers, healthcare delivery systems and payers, as well as partner organizations and alliances. Together, we are working to enhance the visibility of telehealth, promote responsible policy, and provide education and resources to help integrate virtual care into emerging value-based delivery models.

Contact: Amy Gaddis
agaddis@americantelemed.org