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Telehealth for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Opportunities for Respiratory Therapists (RTs)

By Vernon Pertelle posted 04-18-2014 11:47

  

The New Healthcare Normal under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) contains several provisions that create new and emerging opportunities for RTs to leverage technologies to improve health outcomes and reduce costs associated with the care of patients COPD. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS’), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMI) is charged with identifying innovative health care delivery models that utilize electronic monitoring or Telehealth to coordinate patient care throughout the healthcare continuum.  Telehealth creates the capacity for allied health personnel and physician extenders to provide health services for patients with chronic conditions such as COPD. 

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are required to promote evidence-based medicine and increase patient engagement, coordinate care of patients and report on quality and cost measures (meaningful use), to demonstrate their value in improving outcomes of patients with COPD.  Telehealth and other unobtrusive enabling technologies along with the expertise of RTs are essential for ACOs to succeed.  The face to face requirement, in which physicians certify the medical necessity for skilled home health care services under Medicare Part A or Durable Medical Equipment (DME) under Part B; can be accomplished through Telehealth in coordination with the RT in the home for Medicare beneficiaries with COPD.  

The PPACA also allows for a "Health Home" for patients covered under Medicaid (Section 2703; State Option to Provide Health Homes for Chronic Conditions) as an alternative for patients with COPD in which wireless health technology [or Telehealth] is used to coordinate care, improve the management of complex respiratory conditions and ensure full patient engagement with their treatment plan. The provision supports the use of a team of professionals including RTs to develop the framework for a comprehensive Health Home through the use of Telehealth.

The scope and impact of many of the provisions within the PPACA will be revealed as the rules and regulations are implemented. The opportunities for new and innovative programs involving the use of RTs are great; however requires us as a profession to collaborate, put aside differences and create services and programs to care for patients with COPD.  However, we must eliminate silos and I dare say – competition – in order to establish lasting solutions for RTs to thrive in the New Healthcare Normal. 

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