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Thursday

Abortion pills that patients got via telehealth and the mail are safe, study finds

Access to the abortion drug mifepristone could soon be limited by the Supreme Court for the whole country. Here, a nurse practitioner works at an Illinois clinic that offers telehealth abortion. Jeff Roberson/AP hide caption

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Jeff Roberson/AP

Shots - Health News

Abortion pills that patients got via telehealth and the mail are safe, study finds

The study looks at 6,000 patients who got abortion pills after an online appointment. It found that 99.7% of those abortions were not followed by any serious adverse events.

Abortion pills that patients got via telehealth and the mail are safe, study finds

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Tuesday

When a quick telehealth visit yields multiple surprises beyond a big bill

Last year, Elyse Greenblatt of New York City scheduled a telehealth appointment through her usual health system to see if her nagging congestion was COVID-19. The appointment turned out to be nearly $700. Shelby Knowles/KFF Health News hide caption

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Shelby Knowles/KFF Health News

Shots - Health News

When a quick telehealth visit yields multiple surprises beyond a big bill

KFF Health News

For the patient, it was a quick and inexpensive virtual appointment. Why it cost 10 times more than she expected became a mystery.

When a quick telehealth visit yields multiple surprises beyond a big bill

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Friday

'Hi, Doc!' DM'ing the doctor could cost you (or your insurance plan)

Doctors are starting to face a flood of message from patients and some health care companies are billing for clinical advice delivered this way. jose carlos cerdeno martinez/Getty Images hide caption

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jose carlos cerdeno martinez/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

'Hi, Doc!' DM'ing the doctor could cost you (or your insurance plan)

Virtual access to doctors is a huge plus for patients. But it's a lot of new work for physicians. And the health care business model hasn't caught up with this new reality.

'Hi, Doc!' DM'ing the doctor could cost you (or your insurance plan)

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Wednesday

The pandemic-era rule that lets you get telehealth prescriptions just got extended

Facing public pressure, federal regulators have decided to let patients receive prescriptions for controlled substances via telehealth for at least another six months. d3sign/Getty Images hide caption

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d3sign/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

The pandemic-era rule that lets you get telehealth prescriptions just got extended

Telehealth flourished during the pandemic thanks to relaxed rules that allowed prescribing without an in-person visit. Federal officials have decided to keep that in place for the time being.

The pandemic-era rule that lets you get telehealth prescriptions just got extended

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Tuesday

Tuesday

Telehealth Abortions Are Changing The Culture Of Medicine
Shane Tolentino for NPR

Short Wave

Telehealth Abortions Are Changing The Culture Of Medicine

Recent rule changes have increased access to abortion pills through the mail, using telehealth services. As many U.S. states gear up to restrict abortion access in anticipation of the Supreme Court possibly overturning Roe v. Wade, the medical professionals behind these services are preparing for an even bigger surge in demand. Groups that provide abortion pills are also preparing to face significant new obstacles, as anti-abortion states push back against expanded online access. Both patients and clinicians are testing the boundaries of this service that is fully legal in many states — but operates in a legal gray area in others.

Telehealth Abortions Are Changing The Culture Of Medicine

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Thursday

Limits on virtual addiction treatment may soon return, making care harder to access
Tracy Lee for NPR

Shots - Health News

Limits on virtual addiction treatment may soon return, making care harder to access

A ban on using telemedicine to prescribe controlled medications was suspended in the pandemic. That's allowed many to seek opioid addiction treatment, but some worry about potential for abuse.

Limits on virtual addiction treatment may soon return, making care harder to access

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Tuesday

Voice-only telehealth may go away with pandemic rules expiring

Community clinics say the easing of restrictions on telehealth during the pandemic has made it possible for health workers to connect with hard-to-reach patients via a phone call — people who are poor, elderly or live in remote areas, and don't have access to a computer or cellphone with video capability. Silke Enkelmann/EyeEm/Getty Images hide caption

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Silke Enkelmann/EyeEm/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Voice-only telehealth may go away with pandemic rules expiring

State rules were temporarily loosened in 2020 to help patients get care outside a doctor's office. But is telehealth by phone safe and effective? State legislatures and insurers must soon decide.

Voice-only telehealth may go away with pandemic rules expiring

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Monday

Patients say telehealth is OK, but most prefer to see their doctor in person
Miakievy/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Patients say telehealth is OK, but most prefer to see their doctor in person

An NPR poll finds that while a large majority of people using telehealth during the pandemic were satisfied, nearly two-thirds prefer in-person visits. That may foretell telehealth's future.

Patients say telehealth is OK, but most prefer to see their doctor in person

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Wednesday

Telehealth Tips: How To Make The Most Of Video Visits With Your Doctor
Janice Chang for NPR

Shots - Health News

Telehealth Tips: How To Make The Most Of Video Visits With Your Doctor

What if you don't have COVID-19 symptoms but do have a fierce earache or infected bug bite or a child with a sudden rash? These days, many more people are getting diagnosed via calls or video chats.

Telehealth Tips: How To Make The Most Of Video Visits With Your Doctor

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Wednesday