Project ECHO: Evolving Telehealth Flexibilities: Navigating Out of the PHE and Into the New Normal

Rebecca Canino, Executive Director of The Office of Telemedicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine, discussed the evolving flexibilities in telehealth during a recent presentation. With a background in international non-profit startups and a focus on reducing disparities in healthcare, Canino emphasized the importance of telemedicine in increasing access to care. The Office of Telemedicine at Johns Hopkins supports the deployment and scaling of telemedicine across their health system, collaborating with various teams including epic, billing and compliance, government affairs, marketing, and research. Canino highlighted the significant increase in telemedicine visits during the pandemic, with Johns Hopkins experiencing a surge from 100 visits per month to 1.7 million visits, now stabilizing at around 30,000 visits per month. She discussed the impact of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration and subsequent legislative changes on telehealth regulations. Canino provided an overview of the timeline of extended telehealth flexibilities, including the end of the PHE declaration, the 151-day extension, and potential future legislative changes. She emphasized the need for healthcare organizations to stay informed about regulatory updates and adapt to changes in telehealth policies. Finally, Canino shared a grid outlining current and potential changes in telehealth regulations, covering patient location, audio-only visits, provider types, supervision, inpatient flexibilities, and platforms. She stressed the importance of understanding how Medicare and Medicaid interpret these flexibilities at the state level. Overall, Canino’s presentation provided valuable insights into the complex landscape of telehealth regulations and the ongoing efforts to improve access to care through telemedicine.