What is Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth?

2. What is Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth? • Georgia’s State-Wide • Not-for-Profit • TeleHealth Network

3. Our History…... • 2004 Anthem and WellPoint Merger Negotiations with Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner. • Result – Mr. Oxendine’s Rural Health Initiative Statewide Telemedicine Program $11.5 Million over 3 years • 2007 Transitioned into a 501(c)3 corporation. • Exponential Growth : 2006 Partners (physicians, hospitals, clinics, etc.): 40 2006 TeleHealth Encounters: 8 2011 Partners: 240+ 2010 TeleHealth Encounters: 30,000+

4. GPT Mission • Improve and promote the availability and provision of specialized healthcare services in rural and underserved parts of Georgia. • Educate and provide training and technical assistance to hospitals, clinics, and primary care providers to implement and achieve exchange of health information. • Reduce the service barriers that exist for patients who live in rural parts of Georgia at a distance from hospitals and other medical facilities.

5. Lessons Learned…...Establishing a statewide telehealth network and coordinating with multiple organizations: • For Profit vs. Not-for-Profit Greater opportunities for growth as a Not-for-Profit. • Build a firm foundation. Strong Infrastructure. • No pay, No play! Reimbursement legislation is a must! • Strong Partnerships are vital. Partnering with physicians, politicians, and plenty of other people. • Sustainability beyond grants…… • Expand, Expand, Expand! Think outside the box!

6. Lessons Learned…….Transition to Not-for-Profit • Perception of GPT changed: “for the common good” Results: Growth “In just a couple of years, this small, not-for-profit, company has done what large, sometimes politically charged, institutions have not been able to do……..bring the key telehealth players from across the state to the same table to address the healthcare needs of all Georgians. GPT has provided the bridge for collaboration and the results have been unprecedented expansion of telemedicine services throughout the state of Georgia.” Paula Guy, GPT CEO • Other Benefits of Not-for-Profit: Tax Exemptions Funding: Grants & Donations Limited Liability

7. Lessons Learned Continued……Build a firm foundation • GPT Headquarters: Waycross, Ga. • Field-Based TM Liaisons Regionalized coverage with specific targeted areas Division of responsibilities between presentation, specialty sites and healthcare providers • Support for Credentialing and Scheduling All Specialists & Allied Healthcare Providers are required to complete the modified application that is accepted by The Joint Commission. Dedicated toll free scheduling line. • Reliable Technology

8. Network Technology..… • Private Internet…Intranet • HIPAA Compliant • Network HUBs- located in rural hospitals: Archbold Medical Center, Thomasville, GA Bacon County Hospital, Alma, GA • Unlimited bandwidth available. • Eligible for Universal Service Funding • IP video conferencing standard- H.323 • Multi point video conferencing • Cisco 515E firewall & Sonic Wall NSA 4500

9. Presentation Site Presentation Site Presentation Site Presentation Site Specialty Center Specialty Center Specialty Center Telemedicine – “Open Access”Network Model • Creates a web of access points • Any Presentation Site can connect to any other site

10. Lessons Learned Continued…... • No pay, No play! Reimbursement legislation is a must! Georgia General Assembly House Bill 291 Section 3 (33-24-56.4) On or after July 1, 2005, every health benefit policy that is issued, amended or renewed shall include payment for services that are covered under such health benefit policy and are appropriately provided through telemedicine in accordance with Code Section 43-34-31.1 • Strong Partnerships are vital! From the gold-domed state capital in Atlanta to the tin-roofed rural physician’s office in South Georgia, GPT has built relationships and pursued partners. Physicians, Politicians, Professors, Principals, Providers, Payers, etc.

11. Lessons Learned Continued…... • Sustainability Grants are a valuable resource, but no organization should be “grant dependent.” Key to Sustainability: Monthly Partnership Fees 240+ Partners • Expand, Expand, Expand! Clinical Applications are limitless: Specialty Services, Nursing Homes, School Based Clinics, Corrections, Retail Market, Home TeleHealth and beyond……… Educational Applications are limitless: From Providers to Patients……..

13. Multiple Equipment Options

14. Live Video Encounter

17. Store & Forward Encounter

18. On August 20, 2010, Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth was awarded a grant from the Office for the Advancement of TeleHealth to become the Southeastern TeleHealth Resource Center.

19. The Southeastern Telehealth Resource Center (SETRC)Goal: To offer technical assistance in order to advance TeleHealth in the Southeast: GA, FL, AL, SC.

20. TRC Regional Map www.telehealthresourcecenters.org

21. The Education Arm of SETRC…… The National School of Applied TeleHealth This is by far the most enthusiastic goal of SETRC! The National School of Applied TeleHealth will deliver standardized, accredited telehealth education via an online learning management system

22. Certified Telemedicine Clinical Presenter (CTCP) Certified TeleHealth Coordinator (CTC) Certified TeleHealth Liaison (CTL) www.nationalschoolofappliedtelehealth.com

23. 914 Memorial Drive Waycross, GA 31502 Phone: 866.754.4325 Web: www.gatelehealth.org www.setrc.us Rena Brewer, RN, MA, SETRC Director rena.brewer@gatelehealth.org