Southwest Telehealth Resource Center Blog

The 2026 Connected Care Summit in Colorado Springs solidified telehealth as a fundamental component of standard healthcare, focusing on the state's Health IT Roadmap and the push for digital health equity. Through the support of the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center (SWTRC), the event showcased high-impact innovations such as rural library "telehubs" , cost-saving EMS mobile healthcare , and Remote Patient Monitoring for chronic diseases. Ultimately, speakers advocated for "treatment in place" and the development of ethical, inclusive digital tools to ensure quality care is accessible to every resident, regardless of their location.

Healthcare in the United States is at a national inflection point. Telehealth, artificial intelligence (AI), and connected health technologies are rapidly transitioning from supplemental tools to core components of care delivery. AI-enabled clinical decision support, remote physiological monitoring, and virtual-first care models are increasingly embedded in routine workflows.

Managing your nutrition doesn't always require a trip to the doctor’s office. Whether you are looking to improve your daily habits or managing a chronic condition, "telenutrition", nutrition care delivered via phone or video, is making healthy living more accessible than ever.

Here is how you can use digital tools to transform your health, along with resources for providers looking to expand their virtual services...

The 2026 policy landscape signals a shift toward "tele-permanence" with the bipartisan FY26 funding package extending Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027 and the Hospital-at-Home program through 2030. Key updates include the permanent status of most telehealth codes and more flexible Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) options, such as new device supply codes for shorter 2–15 day collection periods and a 10–19 minute treatment management code. With FQHC/RHC billing via G2025 extended through 2026 and expanded support for behavioral health, CMS is establishing virtual care as a cornerstone of high-quality rehabilitation.

February is more than just a month of roses and chocolate. While the world celebrates Valentine’s Day with paper hearts and grand gestures, the American Heart Association (the Association) uses this time to spotlight a different kind of love: the lifelong commitment to your cardiovascular health. As technology evolves, our ability to care for our hearts is no longer confined to the four walls of a doctor's office.