Telehealth Alliance of Oklahoma (TAO) Meeting Minutes 3/12/2014

Attendance:Scott Bumgarner, Steve Casady, Jana Castleberry,Pam Forducey, Sandra Harrison,Lane Hooton, Adolph Maren, Patrick McGinnis,Kevin Olson, Micha Post, Robert Radar,Cynthia Scheideman-Miller,Candace Shaw,Robin Wilson

Welcome/Opening Remarks–Ms. Shawwelcomed all those in attendance. The meeting began at 10:08am. Note: This was a business meeting due to lack of quorum at roll call.

Review of minutes: Minutes from the February 12, 2014 meeting were distributed. They will be reviewed and voted onelectronically.

Treasurer Report: Ms. Scheideman-Miller noted the organization is in the black. Vote to approve the report will be done electronically.

Note: An electronic vote request was sent as noted. Five members answered the electronic vote request. All voted to approve the minutes and the treasurer’s reports from November 2013, January 2014, and February 2014. This brings TAO current on meeting minutes and treasurer’s reports.

OLD BUSINESS

Membership Directory –The membership form is now active on the TAO website. All are encouraged to fill out the form and submit it, even if currently a member so we can build profile sheets for all members.

Future featured partners: HTRC will be the featured partner for April, INTEGRIS for May, and ODMHSAS for June.

Tax exempt status – Ms. Scheideman-Miller advised the group that the federal government just assigned a reviewer to the TAO application. The reviewer had two questions which Ms. Scheideman-Miller was working with Ms. Towler to answer.

NEW BUSINESS

Legislation and Agency Rulemaking Update: Sandra Harrison, Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA), gave an update on legislation related to telehealth. She gave the group a detailed list of current state legislation. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission did adopt the definition of a hospital under state universal service fund program at their March 4, 2014 meeting. Rule changes now require legislative approval.

Healthcare Connect Fund.The Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) committeespoke with William England. The group agreed to use Mr. England’s services. Mr. England will send a contract. An overview of the HCF decisions presentedand a flow sheet with responsibilities of each party was shared. A flat fee will be charged for initial filings and on a yearly basis beginning year 2. The fee will be based on facility size. Based on several inquiries, it was decided that the TAO HCF consortium would allow entities to join that were not TAO members. A chart with charges will be distributed to board members for electronic vote for acceptance. Marketing will begin once the fees are set.

2014 TAO Sponsored Events:The fall Oklahoma Telemedicine Conference will be October 16, 2014. The Samis Conference Center has been secured for the event. This year a request will be made for presenters and posters. There will be two committees: one to help the presentation and poster selection and one to help with vendors and marketing.

Upcoming TAO meetings at ODMHSAS Conference Room from 10:00 to noon:

April 9, 2014

May 14, 2014

June 11, 2014