• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Unsworth LaPlante is open for in-person meetings! We have taken precautions in our office to ensure the safety and well-being of our clients and staff. To learn more about how Unsworth LaPlante is helping people through the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.

Unsworth LaPlante, PLLC

Vermont Estate Planning Attorneys

Vermont: (802) 879-7133

Attend A Free Webinar
  • Home
  • Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Elder Law
    • Estate And Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning
    • Incapacity Planning
    • IRA & Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Burlington
      • Free Estate Planning Seminars
      • Montpelier
      • Rutland
      • St. Johnsbury
      • White River Junction
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate and Gift Tax
      • Estate Planning
      • FAQs for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • IRA & Retirement Planning
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid
      • Pet Planning
      • Special Needs Planning
      • Trust Administration
      • Trusts
      • Wills
    • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
    • Medicaid Resources
      • Medicaid Analysis Worksheet
      • Medicaid Guide
      • Vermont Medicaid
    • Newsletters
    • Presentations
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning for Niches
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
  • Webinars
  • Communities We Serve
    • Burlington
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • BLOG
  • Contact
Home » The Technology of Health Care

The Technology of Health Care

May 18, 2015 by Ellen LaPlante

capture-20150315-135358Remote monitoring, telemedicine, and telehealth are a few of the new opportunities for elder care. But what does that mean for your loved one; further, what does it mean for our own retirement? This week, we explore the future for elder care and ways legislation is being introduced that could change the landscape in this country when it comes to senior health care.

First, let’s take a look at the technology that define these efforts. Mobile medical applications are software programs that are created to function on mobile communication devices, such as smart phones. They serve the same purposes, in many instances, as traditional medical devices. They record important vital statistics on a patient. The biggest difference is these new technological marvels will transmit the information back to a hospital, health agency, or doctor’s office. It’s all linked to the appropriate Medicaid or Medicare office or insurance company.

“Studies have shown that telehealth can improve access, reduce costs and improve the quality of health care,” said Jonathan Linkous, chief executive officer of the American Telemedicine Association. “To unlock this potential, we need to give health providers the ability to use this technology where ever appropriate. ATA supports this legislation because it takes a sensible approach to move aside government restrictions and allow patients access to health services wherever they are located. Instead of going to the doctor, it allows the doctor to go to the patient.”

In some regions of the country, bills have already been signed into law. In July, 2013, Washington DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray signed the Telemedicine Reimbursement Act of 2013. This law requires private health insurers, as well as Medicaid, to cover health care services, even if they’re provided via the new technology. They must also provide the same services that a patient would receive via a traditional office visit. Other states are beginning to follow suit with Missouri taking a more involved approach. As long as the patient’s information is safely transmitted, it can be transmitted via any electronic communications available.

The newest bills allow for:

  • Provisions that would allow Medicare home health payments
  • Medicare adjustments for home health payments to be used to cover remote patient monitoring.
  • Home based video services for home dialysis, homebound Medicare beneficiaries and hospice care.
  • Expands telehealth coverage to sole community hospitals regardless of metropolitan status.
  • Coverage of telehealth services under Medicare for post-acute care.
  • Medicare accountable care organizations to use telehealth like Medicare managed care plans.

Lawmakers are already looking towards advantages that this technology will provide other patient categories, such as those with high risk pregnancies. The goals are always to lower health costs and the new technology could very well cement many of those efforts.

To learn more about elder law and what technology might mean for your family, contact our offices today.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ellen LaPlante
Ellen LaPlante
Ellen LaPlante is an attorney whose mission is to provide clients with guidance in Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Medicaid Preparation. She is barred in Vermont and New York. Ellen helps clients put together unique estate plans, including assistance with Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Advance Directives. She also works with clients on Medicaid Planning and qualifying for Medicaid assistance.
Ellen LaPlante
Latest posts by Ellen LaPlante (see all)
  • An Overview of Proposed Secure Act 2.0 - January 25, 2021
  • Tony Hsieh of Zappos Fame Died Without a Will - January 13, 2021
  • New Year’s Resolution: End the Estate Planning Procrastination - January 6, 2021

Filed Under: Medicaid

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Burlington Medicaid Planning attorneys
5 Things Burlington Medicaid Planning Attorneys Want You to Know
medicaid planning attorneys
How to Make Sure You Get High Quality Nursing Home Care
Burlington medicaid lawyers
Why Do So Many People Need to Make a Medicaid Plan?
Burlington Medicaid Attorneys
Can You Give Away Your Wealth to Get Medicaid?
Burlington Medicaid Lawyers
Key Differences Between Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for Nursing Home Care
Burlington Medicaid Lawyers
Are There Options Besides Nursing Home Care?

Primary Sidebar

Elder Law and Medicaid Planning Attorneys

Unsworth LaPlante, PLC

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHEET

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Blog Subscription

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Essex Junction, VT

26 Railroad Ave
Essex Junction, VT 05452
United States (US)
Phone: (802) 879-7133
Fax: (802) 879-0408

Map

unsworth_sidbr_map

Office Hours

Monday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Footer

footer-logo
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Vermont Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map | Powered by American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

© 2021 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.