Western states embark on new telehealth partnership

Governors of Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Colorado have announced that they will collaborate on a telehealth strategy. They aim to ensure equitable access to telehealth services, protect patient privacy, improve access for tribal communities and communities of color, apply standard-of-care requirements, reduce fraud and abuse, support patient choice, and consider payment and reimbursement methods. The governors plan to work with the federal government on virtual care issues. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has also announced that it will make some telehealth flexibilities permanent.