AI in Telemental Health: Rather than replacing clinicians, AI works best as a "clinical co-pilot" that boosts efficiency and supports better decisions. It can flag high-risk patients for early intervention, extend care between visits through tools like symptom tracking and journaling, and help keep human providers at the center of care.
The Arizona Telemedicine Program Blog, Category: Providers
We identified significant policy changes when recently reviewing several commercial payer policies on remote monitoring: reduction in diseases that qualify for remote physiological monitoring (RPM) or complete deletion of remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM).
Aetna
Aetna’s policy was updated on 2/27/26 and limits RPM) to three diseases:
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.
We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Amit Algotar, MD, PhD, MPH, FOMA, FACPM who leads a telehealth-based lifestyle weight loss clinic at Banner University Medical Center South. His innovative approach focuses on using lifestyle modifications as a primary treatment modality for managing and preventing chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even certain cancers. In this Q&A, Dr. Algotar shares the philosophy behind his work, the impact he’s seeing, and how telehealth is helping him reach more patients.
Since July of 2019, a unique collaborative team approach has been employed to optimize HIV and general infectious diseases telemedicine services delivered to correctional facilities throughout Arizona. The program builds on a program to provide telemedicine services to the Arizona Correctional system since 1998, with infectious diseases services being provided since 2009.
This team in the University of Arizona (UA) Petersen HIV clinics (PHC) includes an infectious diseases physician and a clinical pharmacist along with administrative, scheduling, and technological support. This model was adapted from a process already in place at PHC in Banner University Medical Center (Tucson, AZ) in which a physician, pharmacist, and clinical coordinator all see the patient simultaneously. This model was implemented in direct response to the numerous issues and barriers faced by individuals living with HIV, not only in affording costly antiretroviral HIV medications but in addressing social barriers that are just as likely to contribute to treatment failure. By the conclusion of the brief visits, all issues have been addressed relating to HIV care, including medication usage and acquisition as well as insurance coverage and follow-up plans.