Outdated restrictions are hampering telemedicine, at least according to the American Telemedicine Association. The group recently petitioned the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to lift restrictions on telemedicine, reports Healthcare IT News. Removing such restrictions will allow many more patients access to telemedicine services.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT is working on a pilot program to collect e-consents from patients. Once the program is complete, it would ensure that patients understand and approve of having their medical data exchanged electronically, according to Healthcare IT News.

In July, the Veterans Affairs Department will begin testing their rural health information exchange. The test, to be conducted in Utah, will utilize the department’s virtual lifetime electronic record. Government Health IT reports that Utah is just one of several test sites nationwide.