Digital Minute: Telehealth and AI Recent Updates

By Walter Reiling, MD, system chief medical information officer, Premier Health; and Mandy Via, system director of access, referral management, and telehealth, Premier Health

Telehealth

As the closure of the federal telehealth flexibilities extension approaches in September, we are closely monitoring and preparing for potential policy shifts. While the expanded access to virtual care has transformed how we connect with patients, long-term decisions about reimbursement, provider eligibility, and access requirements are still unfolding at the federal level.

There is optimism across the industry, as legislators and advocacy groups continue pushing for permanent solutions. With many pressing legislative priorities in motion, telehealth is one of several important health care topics competing for attention at the federal level. This topic remains to be seen whether waivers will be extended or if permanent rules will be put in place.

Our organization is closely monitoring the evolving regulatory landscape and remains committed to keeping our teams informed. Whether it’s ensuring workflows can adapt to policy changes or staying engaged in advocacy efforts, readiness is key. We will continue to share timely updates as new information becomes available, supporting operational planning and maintaining continuity of care. Telehealth has proven its value, and while the future is still being shaped, we believe it will remain a vital part of care delivery.

AI

In conjunction with our strategic goals to enhance caregiver engagement and patient experience while maintaining financial stability, we continue to explore AI initiatives that align with these priorities. We recently implemented Epic Nebula, which is Epic’s cloud platform for AI. We are currently evaluating the use cases to determine future implementation. Many providers in leadership roles around the organization are completing a survey to help establish priorities for the AI initiatives. Included in the possibilities are tools to assist in organizing and creating Epic Inbasket messages, summarizing chart records and helping to create discharge summaries for inpatient stays. Look for more information related to the AI initiatives we will be bringing to the system through our Digital Minute monthly article in the coming months.

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