Change at the top at ATA: CEO Jon Linkous departs after 24 years

August 8, 2017 | by

The American Telemedicine Association’s CEO, Jonathan Linkous, has left ATA after 24 years as CEO. An ATA spokesperson cited personal reasons, according to MedCityNews. Sources told POLITICO Morning eHealth that Mr. Linkous “simply told the organization he was leaving the job effective immediately before its board meeting this week.” It was certainly an unusual departure, without the standard transitional period of months or even a year. The ATA release was short and concentrated on the ‘transitional period’.

Acting as interim CEO will be Dr. Sabrina Smith, who joined last January as COO after senior VP/COO-level positions with the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) after 12 years with MedStar Health, the largest health system in the Washington DC metro. MedCityNews quoted ATA board president Peter Yellowlees, MD that the search is expected to take about six months. This will take the search through ATA’s Fall Forum in October and well into the ramp-up for ATA 2018 in April. ATA is seeking “a vision for the future of healthcare” and “extensive knowledge of telemedicine”, so if you have it, step up! 

Jon Linkous, from the formation of ATA to yesterday, gained much recognition for telemedicine and telehealth, to where ATA presently has 10,000 members and 450 health system and industry partners, a leading annual conference, multiple events and educational programs. They have concentrated much (and successful) effort in gaining parity of payment for telemedicine, a state by state battle, though the POLITICO report (using a quote from a former HIMSS executive director now consulting for ATA!) did not think much of ATA’s influence in the Washington DC swamps. Another major change apparent over the past five years: as an association, healthcare technology has developed way outside ‘telemedicine’. Organizations like HIMSS have exploded in size through redrawing their definitional lines plus aggressive acquisitions in media and of competitors such as Health 2.0. The next chapters won’t be simple or easy for the new CEO. Also FierceHealthcare. (Disclosure: TTA has been for many years a media partner of the ATA annual conference.)

ATA 2017 dispatch: The future is about business models and the consumer

April 24, 2017 | by

Bruce Judson, our guest ATA 2017/Telehealth 2.0 reporter, is a bestselling author of books on business and technology issues in the evolving digital era. This is the first of several articles this week. Mr. Judson writes frequently for The Huffington Post. More on about him may be found in our review of his critique of the RAND telehealth study [25 Mar].

Orlando, April 24. Yesterday, the annual convention of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) moved into full swing. At noon, Jonathan Linkous, ATA’s CEO, took a few minutes to talk with me. During our wide-ranging discussion, three notable themes emerged:

First and perhaps most important, Mr. Linkous believes that the future development of telehealth now stands with establishing viable business models. In his view, the speed of growth of the industry now depends on how the many participants in the healthcare system develop business models that lead to appropriate investments. He noted that this contrasts with the general focus on the evolving technology. Of course, the technology will continue to evolve and major advancements will occur for the foreseeable future. But, Mr. Linkous strongly believes that “the technology is here today.” In short, it’s now about how the technology is used and deployed. New advances will be incorporated into services and infrastructure as they occur. But, the past, telehealth is now moving into mainstream investment discussions. In his view, the leaders of every health organization are now assessing the role telehealth will play in the services they offer, and the investments they need to make now.  Now, it’s about making it work. We are no longer waiting for the technology to be viable.

Second, Mr. Linkous commented on the hype surrounding the industry. He was frank in recognizing that, as with all exciting, transformative industries, the hype cycle is in full swing. One telling comment: “Unlike the past, the industry now has real revenues,” with rapidly growing businesses. In short, we may not be past the hype, but the industry is quickly moving to fulfill realistic expectations.

Finally, Mr. Linkous concluded that the future growth of the telehealth industry would largely depend on the consumer. He cited a variety of factors: the growth of value-based care, the emerging influence of millennials who are comfortable with technology, and the overall consumerization of medicine.

Many industry participants have described themselves to me as B2B businesses. Undoubtedly, they are. It’s hard to refute Linkous’s conclusion: Ultimately, the growth of the industry, like the evolution of healthcare itself, will depend on consumer choices.

ATA 2017 Telehealth 2.0 Orlando: 15% off for TTA Readers (updated)

March 17, 2017 | by

[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/132c7fc3-4127-4c06-9a0d-50d570e53a31.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]ATA 2017, 22-25 April, Orlando Florida at Orange County Conference Center Our Readers save 15%–and advanced registration rates are available through 25 March! (Use TelecareAware15 code when registering)

What’s New? ATA’s Experience Zone demonstrates how management and monitoring capabilities can reduce time and costs, and first and foremost save lives. In the Simulation Area, participants can receive a 15-minute guided tour of four common environments – an ICU, ER, doctor’s office and senior living facility – to learn how telemedicine services are best utilized in these areas.

Women in Telemedicine are also highlighted in the “Women in Telemedicine: Leading the Charge of Healthcare Innovation” executive panel discussion featuring Charlotte Yeh, CMO, AARP (moderator); Julie Hall-Barrow, VP, Virtual Health and Innovation; Susan Dentzer, CEO, Network for Excellence in Health Innovation; Paula Guy, CEO, Salus Telehealth and Kristi Henderson, ATA Board of Directors, VP of Virtual Care & Innovation, Seton Healthcare Family and President & CEO, e-Health Advisors. There will also be a networking reception honoring women in the industry. ATA Release

The themes beyond the trends in telehealth which the conference will cover are:

  • Consumers’ desire for devices to help them improve their health and communicate more easily with their doctors
  • How the latest technologies are lowering costs, improving services/reach and are reinventing healthcare
  • How doctors and healthcare systems are utilizing telehealth after hours to extend services 24/7 and are making it easier to reach patients who need them
  • How virtual reality is being used to treat everything from mental illness to rehabilitation and beyond
  • What’s hot, what’s not in investment opportunities–and why

More than 6,000 healthcare and industry professionals, including 1,000 C-level executives, are expected to attend this year’s event in Orlando. Our Readers save 15%–advanced registration rates are available through the end of the week (25 March). Our discount is good till registration closes. Click on the link in the advert on our right sidebar or here.  Twitter: @AmericanTelemed and #T2Telehealth  TTA is again this year a media partner with ATA of T2 Telehealth 2.0.

The growth of telehealth, and the confusion of terminology (US)

December 24, 2016 | by

Becker’s Health IT and CIO Review has written up a US-centric review of recent advances in telehealth and telemedicine but kicks it off with the confusion level between the two terms. Internationally, and in these pages, they are separate terms; telehealth referring primarily to vital signs remote monitoring, and telemedicine the ‘virtual visit’ between doctor and patient, between two clinical sites, or ‘store and forward’ asynchronous exchange (e.g. teleradiology). Somehow, in US usage, they have been conflated or made interchangeable, with the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) admitting to same, and American Well simply ‘just doing it’ in relabeling what they provide. On top of it, the two are incorporating elements of each into the other. Examples: TytoCare vital signs measurement/recording into American Well’s video visit; Care Innovations Health Harmony also providing video capability.

Of particular interest to our international readers would be the high rate of US growth in telemedicine utilization from 7 to 22 percent (Rock Health survey). Teladoc, the largest and publicly traded provider, passed the milestone of 100,000 monthly visits in November and the ATA estimates 1.25 million from all providers for 2016 (Teladoc release). Other US competitors include the aforementioned American Well, MDLive, and Doctor on Demand, the latter two also selling direct to consumer. They also compete against doctor-on-house call services like Pager and Heal. Reimbursement remains an issue both privately and publicly (Medicare and Medicaid) on a state-by-state level, with telehealth experiencing significant difficulties, as well as internet access, speed, and usage by older adults.

ATA 2016 announces keynoters

March 2, 2016 | by

[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ATA2016Bannerv2-1.jpg” thumb_width=”200″ /]American Telemedicine Association 2016 Conference and Trade Show
Sat 14-Tues 17 May, Minneapolis Convention Center

ATA 2016 is the world’s largest and most comprehensive meeting focused on telemedicine, digital, connected and mobile health. Over 6,000 healthcare professionals and entrepreneurs in the telemedicine, telehealth and mHealth area are expected to attend the 75+ sessions and visit the over 300 exhibitors in the main hall. Keynote speakers announced are:

  • Nicholas Negroponte, co-founder of the MIT Media Lab
  • James Peake, former US Secretary of Veterans Affairs
  • John Noseworthy, MD, President and CEO of the Mayo Clinic
  • David Shulkin, MD, Under Secretary of Health for the VA
  • Jack Resneck, Board of Trustees, American Medical Association
  • Jonathan Perlin, MD, PhD, MSHA, MACP, FACMI, President, American Hospital Association
  • Reed Tuckson, President, Board of Directors, American Telemedicine Association

Register today through 15 April to save $150. More information here on schedule, keynotes, housing and Minneapolis (which is lovely in the spring when the snow is all gone!). TTA is again a media partner of ATA’s annual meeting.

American Telemedicine Association (ATA) 2015

February 23, 2015 | by

2-5 May 2015, Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 

ATA’s annual meeting for 2015 connects like-minded telemedicine, telehealth, mHealth professionals and entrepreneurs from around the globe. With over 6,000 attendees, 13 educational tracks and the largest telemedicine trade show in the world, the ATA meeting is a premier forum to learn and network, featuring:

For more information and to register, see our special link here. Telehealth & Telecare Aware is pleased to be again an official media partner of this year’s ATA. 

ATA in the accreditation arena for online patient visits

December 17, 2014 | by
[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ata-seal-of-accreditation.png” thumb_width=”150″ /]The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has joined the gold rush of accreditation, in this case for online ‘virtual’ visits between doctor and patient only. US providers (only) can apply to ATA’s Accreditation Program for Online Patient Consultations through a multi-step process for vetting up to three years.

  • First round application clears a company for eligibility. Through 28 Feb 2015, it is also open to ATA members only: Institutional Members, Sustaining President’s Circle and President’s Circle. On 1 March it will open to all companies in the US. Canada accreditation will start at a date to be announced in 2015.
  • Once eligible, the second round application contains ATA Administrative Rules & Terms, Standards and Guidance, Application Form, Program Overview and Fee Schedule. Fees are annual, based on the numbers of providers of online, real-time patient consults in all service lines, which presumably means areas such as primary care, behavioral, pediatric etc.
  • The company provides an application and supporting documentation. ATA then conducts a survey to review the documentation, online resources and demonstration of online services. During the process, ATA says it will notify about areas which are not compliant and organizations will have the opportunity to “provide a plan of corrective action and present corrective materials to show compliance before a final decision regarding accreditation is rendered.”
  • The accreditation is valid for three years, contingent on submitting an Annual Accreditation Report at the beginning of year 2 and 3 of its accreditation cycle.

Of interest to your Editors and readers is how this accreditation was developed.  (more…)

ATA 2014: TTA is now a media sponsor

March 31, 2014 | by
[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ata-2014-square.jpg” thumb_width=”180″ /]This publication is rarely a media sponsor of conferences, by choice. When we are, it’s because the conference and the organization is significant to the progress of healthcare technology in remote monitoring and related areas. The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) is one of those special organizations in their long-standing advocacy of global telemedicine and telehealth. We are pleased to announce we are joining their distinguished roster of 2014 media partners.

The 2014 conference is being held in Baltimore, just north of Washington DC, from Saturday 17 May (pm) through Tuesday 20 May. There is a very full schedule of pre-meetings, local chapter/co-located meetings, multiple education tracks,and several keynote speakers. Highlights:

  • Industry executive sessions with major companies in telemedicine on Monday and Tuesday
  • Sunday, the ATA Telemedicine Venture Summit with law firm Jones Day has leading industry stakeholders and policy makers speaking, in addition to structured networking and matchmaking opportunities (more details, release)
  • The new Innovation Spotlight: Monday highlights interviews with telemedicine startups (release); Tuesday, ATA’s partnership with the XPrize Foundation (release).
  • For those who cannot attend onsite, there are virtual assets including ePosters and ATA TV.

More information and registration here. Twitter: @ ATA2014. ATA 2014 on Facebook here.

Editor’s Note: This Editor hopes to be able to attend the Monday sessions. Prior commitments prevent her from attending the other days. If you are interested in contributing coverage from one item to a day, please contact Editor Donna about arrangements. Our gentle requirements are that you send a timely report (within 72 hours) from this event. Our standard is that you can be selective and interesting rather than comprehensive. Of course you will receive writing credit, but other expenses will not be covered.  

Pulse of Telehealth 2013

February 16, 2014 | by

A study analysing survey data taken at the 2013 American Telemedicine Association conference has been published this month by the market research company Frost & Sullivan. Pulse of Telehealth 2013 presents drivers and restraints, 5 and 10 year areas of opportunity, environmental points (e.g., gamification), accountable care organisations (ACOs), and predictions.

The surveyed markets include home and disease management monitoring, personal emergency response systems (PERS), video diagnostic consultation, remote doctor/specialist services, tele-imaging, activity monitoring, wellness programs, remote cardiac ECG, and tele-mental health.

The report is available for purchase at the Frost and Sullivan website (link above).