The Changing Face of Telehealth in Delaware

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1 The Changing Face of Telehealth in Delaware Telehealth in Delaware Conference October 20, 2015 Secretary Rita Landgraf, Department of Health and Social Services Momentum in Delaware The Delaware Telehealth Coalition formed in It now has 80+ members, including hospitals. Coalition s website: Delaware Medicaid began reimbursing for telemedicine-delivered services on July 1, DHSS now has a Director of Telehealth Planning & Development. DHSS OMB FY 13 BUDGET HEARING 1

2 Momentum in Delaware Mobile Crisis staff in DSAMH uses telepsychiatry to evaluate clients. Beebe Medical Center uses telepsychiatry. Christiana Care uses telemedicine to remotely monitor ICU patients. Nemours has more than 30 carts in use for various programs. UD Nurse Managed Health Center has the Parkinson s disease telehealth clinic. Smarter Pain Management * Project ECHO = Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Through Project ECHO, primary care providers from Westside Family Healthcare who have patients with chronic pain issues participate in videoconference sessions with national pain specialists. PCPs present and discuss difficult cases, including appropriate care plans. DHSS OMB FY 13 BUDGET HEARING 2

3 Telepsychiatry Services at La Red La Red Health Center in Georgetown received a Rural Health Services Outreach grant to provide telepsychiatry services. Extends specialty care to underserved area. Specialty Care at Stockley Center Stockley Collaborative embraced telehealth as a way to serve residents of the center through delivery of distant specialty care. Next goal: Expand specialty care reach to people with disabilities living in Kent and Sussex. Dr. Gerard Gallucci, a collaborative member and DHSS medical director, coordinated the purchase of telehealth equipment with 4 DHSS divisions. DHSS OMB FY 13 BUDGET HEARING 3

4 Telemedicine Parity Bill Signed On July 7, 2015, Gov. Markell signed HB69 making Delaware the 28 th state to have telemedicine parity. New law requires private insurers to reimburse for normally covered services when delivered using telemedicine technologies Delaware s new law, which permits telehealth/telemedicine in the delivery of services for most healthcare professions, allows the originating site (where the patient is) to be the home. The Benefit of Telehealth In 2009, Dennis Leebel, founder of 150-member Sussex County Parkinson s Education & Support Group, asked Sec Landgraf to bring telehealth to Delaware. In 2013, Betty Leebel became the first telehealth patient in Delaware of Dr. Ray Dorsey, then a Johns Hopkins neurologist. The wellness check saved the Leebels a 10- to 12-hour day trip. DHSS OMB FY 13 BUDGET HEARING 4

5 Fast-Growing Older Population Age 60+ Age 75+ Age 85+ ** By 2030, Delaware is projected to have the 9th-highest proportion of people age 65 and older in the U.S Applications for Older Population Telehealth could help with at-home wellness checks for seniors and other people with chronic conditions. Improve adherence to treatment plans because of increased access to care. Reduce transportation costs Another way to support people to live safely and with dignity in their homes. DHSS OMB FY 13 BUDGET HEARING 5

6 Barriers to Growth Distant-site providers must be licensed in Delaware to practice telehealth here. Use of technology growing, but not widely adopted. Some patients aren t comfortable seeing a provider this way. Some providers see it as a threat to their revenue streams. What s Next Bring more providers from various disciplines, including primary care doctors, into the Delaware Telehealth Coalition. Seek out applications, including at-home uses, for Delaware s aging population and the state s underserved rural areas. Use telehealth to manage chronic conditions as supported by the Affordable Care Act. DHSS OMB FY 13 BUDGET HEARING 6

7 Rita Landgraf, Secretary, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services: or (302) DHSS OMB FY 13 BUDGET HEARING 7