Telehealth Alliance of Oklahoma (TAO) Meeting Minutes 9/11/2013
Attendance:Steve Casady, Don Carter, Melinda Davis, Monty Evans, Pam Forducey, Lane Hooton, Candace Shaw, Sherri Snyder, Debbie Sovereign,Chris Tarpley, Cynthia Scheideman-Miller
Welcome/Opening Remarks–Ms. Shawwelcomed all those in attendance. The meeting began at 10:06 am.
Review of minutes: Minutes from the August 14, 2013 meeting were distributed to all members in attendance. Motion made byMs. Forducey to accept the minutes, seconded by Mr. Hooton, motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer Report: The treasurer report was presented by Ms. Davis. Motion made by Ms. Snyder to accept the report, seconded by Ms. Forducey, motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Oklahoma Health Care Authority – Ms. Shaw advised the group that they may have telemedicine codes rejected by OHCA. This is because the system needs to be updated with some modifiers. OHCA is working on it. The request was made for OHCA to present to TAO in the future on telemedicine reimbursement.
Form 1023: Ms. Scheideman-Miller said 1023 has been submitted. The Federal IRS is currently about 18 months behind in approvals.
Logos: Ms. Scheideman-Miller announced that there were eleven charter members for TAO. She asked the charter members to email high resolution logos to her so she could share them with the webmaster and for future printing. Regular memberships are accepted all through the year.
Comments to the Corporation Commission: Ms. Sovereign
Healthcare Connect Fund: Ms. Scheideman-Miller advised the group that the selection committee reviewed applications and will make their suggestion in Executive Session. This is a very fast moving program, so once the decision is made, information will be sent to everyone in the group. There was a lot of interest in this at the Oklahoma Healthcare Summit. TAO will receive a small amount for administration and invoicing which will create some on-going revenue for TAO. Dr. Rader suggested that participation in the network have defined criteria and quality standards. This will be included in the participant agreement.
Oklahoma Corporation Commission request for comments: Ms. Sovereign advised the group that comments were submitted and several TAO members plan to be at the technical conference Sept. 12, 2013.
Workgroups:
Website: Ms. Davis advised the group that a webmaster was being secured. It was suggested that new telehealth sites, providers, and/or services be showcased on the website. This will be updated monthly to keep information fresh.
Legislative Summit– Ms. Scheideman-Miller advised the group that they were trying to secure a room near the capitol and will set a date once they have a list of availability.
Health Care Connect Fund (HCCF)– Ms. Sovereign advised the group that the new Form 460 was out. She and Ms. Kellogg were attending the next workshop in Washington, DC. This workshop had a whole day devoted to the HCCF. Ms. Sovereign also introduced Ashley Van Horn who will be working on the telehealth universal service fund.
NEW BUSINESS
Updates: Ms. Snyder advised the group that the CACO was able to link to a leading expert in Alabama and present 3 cases to them. All sites were able to connect well.
Loan repayment: Mr. Carter brought up the matter of loan repayment. A psychologist wanted to go through the HRSA loan repayment with half of their consults delivered over telehealth rather than travel to sites. They found out that only 10% could be delivered by telehealth. Discussion followed, and loan repayment will be a future effort of TAO as it affects all providers.
Upcoming events:
September 12, 2013 – Jim Thorpe Building, OKC – OCC technical conference
October 9, 2013 – next TAO meeting
October 17, 2013 Midwest City - Association of OklahomaNurse Practitioners HTRC/TAO will have a booth at this event.
October 22, 2013 – OUHSC Bird Library Auditorium – Healthcare Connect Fund kickoff
November 5, 2013 – Supreme Court Building, OKC - HTRC and TAO sponsored Telehealth Legislative Summit
November 7, 2013 - Oklahoma Medical Board public hearing regarding suggested telehealth related changes
Nov. 15, 2013 – INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center - Day of the Judges – 7 hr Category 1 CME available -
A motion was made by Ms. Snyder moved to adjourn, Mr. Hooton seconded, the motion carried unanimously.
Next meeting:October 9, 2013, 10:00 to noon atthe Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse.