- Eligible patients were limited to patients who had seen the provider within 3 years, but now there are no audits to determine if a prior relationship existed.
- Providers can now practice across states with the waiver of interstate licensure restrictions

Changes in Regulations for Telemedicine (COVID-19)

- The platform used for communication can now use platforms that are not HIPAA-compliant. There will be discretions and providers should use “good faith”.

Technical Policy Changes for Telemedicine (COVID-19)

- The price of tele-consultation is par with in-person visits 
- There is a waiver/reducing co-insurance/deductible for telemedicine for federal healthcare programs


Financial Policy Changes for Telemedicine (COVID-19)

There are policy changes around financial, technical, and regulations due to the COVID-19 policies. These changes will terminate with the public health emergency ending. 
- Financial Changes
- Technical Changes
- Changes in Regulations

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

- Nursing Students Working Before Graduation Policy 
- Telemedicine Policies Changes Due to COVID-19
- Covax: An International Vaccine Effort

Medical Policies in Response to COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nations adapted to the crisis by modifying existing healthcare policies, introducing new legislation, and allocating funds to accommodate the increased need for telemedicine services. For example, the United States enacted the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020 to allocate additional funding to public health agencies. Similarly, France's Ministry of Health issued a decree to reimburse video teleconsultations for patients with COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed cases, even without a prior patient-provider relationship.

Telemedicine Policy Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Loeb, A. E., Rao, S. S., Ficke, J. R., Morris, C. D., Riley III, L. H., & Levin, A. S. (2020). Departmental experience and lessons learned with accelerated introduction of telemedicine during the COVID-19 crisis. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-00380
https://journals.lww.com/jaaos/FullText/2020/06010/Departmental_Experience_and_Lessons_Learned_With.6.aspx

Departmental Experience and Lessons Learned With Accelerated Introduction of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Crisis

Nursing students have experience with patient care in a clinical setting for hundreds and thousands of hours due to their education program. Therefore, states are allowing nursing students who are nearing graduation or recently graduated but have not passed their NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) exam. 
- Problems with Student Nurses Working Early

Nursing Students Working Before Graduation Policy 

Telemedicine Policies Changes Due to COVID-19 in the U.S.A

In early summer of 2020, 170 countries joined the World Health Organization’s efforts to develop and equitably distribute a covid-19 vaccine to the most vulnerable, a plan referred to as COVAX.  This is a joint project with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, and the Vaccine Alliance.  Covax holds the largest portfolio of covid-19 vaccine candidates in the world.  

Covax: An International Vaccine Effort

- Hospital staff need to assess patients via a virtual platform and provide clinical care
- Pulmonary ventilator consults responses for corresponding patients
- In-service trainings for medical professionals

Processes/policies changed to accomplish the new approach

- Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act

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