Johnson County School Board debates telehealth vendor switch amid billing and legal concerns

Johnson County School Board members met in a March 10 work session to discuss whether to replace the district's current school-based telehealth vendor, EMD, and heard a presentation from Johnson County Community Hospital staff about a proposed program run through Valley Health and the hospital's rural health clinic.

The discussion centered on continuity of care for students and staff, how telehealth visits would be billed, whether parents could face surprise charges, whether contractors perform required site checks and what legal or licensing obligations the district must meet. No formal contract vote was taken at the work session; board members directed staff and the vendors to provide additional materials and said a formal decision would be on the agenda for a Thursday meeting, with April 1 cited as the deadline to give 60 days' notice to the current vendor if the board chooses to terminate the existing arrangement.

Chastity Trivet, administrator at Johnson County Community Hospital, and Rachel Kuhn from the hospital's telehealth team described a school-based telemedicine option that would use Johnson County providers and equipment placed in schools. Trivet said the hospital would bill family insurance when available, offer a cash-pay option for uninsured families and provide technology and staffing supports. "The only thing I care about is just fast, accurate service for the student and staff," Trivet said.

School nurses who currently work with EMD spoke in favor of maintaining the existing relationship, emphasizing…