The Furthering Access to Stroke Telemedicine (FAST) Act A Win for Patients & Lawmakers Stephanie ohl, Senior Government Relations Advisor, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association onday, February 29, 2016 0
Overview of Presentation I. Why Telestroke atters II. What the FAST Act Does III. Cost of the FAST Act IV. Status of FAST Act V. Our Ask for Lawmakers VI. Questions & Answers 1
Why Congress Should Care About Stroke No. 5 killer, leading cause of serious, long term disability Two thirds of stroke patients > age 65 edicare, edicaid pay for their care Even larger impact as Baby Boomers age Disparities in stroke incidence, mortality in South, among African Americans, women 2
Why Telestroke atters for Patients Time is Brain Faster the treatment, better the outcome Improved access to advanced care Increases tpa utilization by 3 6 fold Results in less disability Saver. Stroke. 2010;41:1431-1439. Fonarow Circulation. 2011;123:750 758 Lansberg et al, Stroke 2009 3
Why Telestroke atters for Providers ore efficient use of limited neurology resources Benefits neurologists, hospitals, Emergency Dept physicians 4
ore Benefits of Telestroke Cost effective sustainable way to staff a low frequency, high impact event ore standardized, better coordinated care (35.8 ) Allows more patients to stay @ community hospital
FAST Act (S.1465 / H.R. 2799) F = Furthering A = Access to S = Stroke T = Telemedicine 6
What the FAST Act Will Do Requires edicare to cover telestroke evaluation when patient originates in urban/suburban area Expands edicare coverage of telestroke evaluations to additional 455K edicare stroke patients annually edicare currently only pays for telestroke when patient is located at rural hospital 94% of strokes occur in urban/suburban areas
Cycle of Stroke Care: Where are the costs? ES transfer Self-present Hospital Stroke center ED- based Patient history, vitals, CT scan Triage decision: ED physician/ neurologist Home Inpatient Rehab Facility Courtesy of Dr. Lee Schwamm PCP followup Skilled Nursing Facility
Cost Savings from Telestroke CBO not lawmakers often determines success, failure of legislation AHA/ASA Analysis Telestroke expansion will result in $1.2 B in net savings over 10 years to edicare, edicaid Increased costs to edicare: $100 /yr in more telestroke evaluations, increased tpa use Even more savings from reduced use of Inpatient Rehab Facility and nursing home use: $222 /yr
Growing Support, omentum! 52 total cosponsors in House & Senate (50 House, 2 Senate) Very bipartisan! Telestroke now endorsed by: AA, AARP, American Hospital Association, telemed groups, & more Telestroke included in broader, bipartisan telehealth bills: edicare Telehealth Parity Act CONNECT for Health Act Included in Senate Finance Committee Chronic Care Working Group Options Paper
Ad Support for Your Efforts Ad running today in print edition of Politico Online ads running all week 11
aterials in Congressional Folders 12
Key essages & Our Fly In Ask Ask your lawmakers to cosponsor the FAST Act FAST Act is a win win for patients & lawmakers It improves stroke patient outcomes & saves $$$ edicare beneficiaries who suffer stroke deserve benefit of telestroke, regardless of where they live
Share Your Story/Experience As a patient or caregiver: If you received tpa If you didn t receive tpa As a neurologist or other health care provider: How has telestroke improved treatment rates/times for patients in your community? What difference could expanded edicare reimbursement make? Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Baptist Telestroke Network
Questions You ay Be Asked Q: Is there an official CBO score for the bill? A: No. The $1.2 billion savings estimate was developed by AHA/ASA. Our goal is to get an official CBO score by adding more cosponsors. Q: Is there any opposition to the FAST Act? A: No. We are not aware of any groups that oppose this. It truly is a win win. 15