Three US senators have introduced legislation to increase access to virtual mental health services for children and underserved populations. By Mark Melchionna April 12, 2022 – To expand access to virtual mental health services, US Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Thune (R-SD), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) have introduced the Medicaid Ensuring Necessary Telehealth is Available Long-term (MENTAL) Health for […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers, and providers are looking for ways to expand access to telehealth services. Telehealth is an essential tool in ensuring patients are able to access the healthcare services they need in as safe a manner as possible. In order to provide our clients with quick […]
A survey by the American Medical Association (AMA) found that 85 percent of physicians now use telehealth and 70 percent plan to continue using virtual services after the pandemic. However, only eight percent of physicians currently use remote patient monitoring. The survey also found that more than two-thirds of telehealth providers said they use audio-only modalities to […]
Perhaps signaling the increasing likelihood of a permanent telehealth solution for the Medicare program, the Office of Inspector General for the US Department of Health and Human Services (OIG) has established a “Featured Topics” resource page on its website dedicated to telehealth and OIG’s work in evaluating telehealth policies. This telehealth resource page serves as a compendium […]
The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments in response to the request for information from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on strengthening community health through technology. The Alliance specifically commented on the burdensome licensure requirements which create a barrier in access to virtual health care. The Alliance recommends the federal […]
The Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act would amend HIPAA and the Affordable Care Act to allow employers to offer standalone telehealth service programs – not unlike dental and vision plans – in addition to existing health insurance plans. By Mike Miliard March 31, 2022 The House of Representatives has drafted a bill that would […]
By Shailendra Sinhasane Posted March 31, 2022 Each year, new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are renewed by the American Medical Association (AMA). The 2022 CPT code changes are minimal and it brings forth modifications to the existing descriptors and codes in the healthcare system. CPT billing codes create an influx of revenue streams through remote patient monitoring […]
Thursday, March 24, 2022 There have been several significant developments with regard to Federal government telehealth policy. These include the recently enacted appropriations bill funding the Federal government for the balance of the fiscal year, a Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General data brief, the MedPAC annual report to Congress and […]
Telehealth continues to offer solutions to old and new healthcare challenges, from extending services in rural areas to addressing nursing shortages amid COVID-19. But formidable barriers remain in expanding telehealth. Overcoming these barriers requires bold thinking and leadership. During a March virtual roundtable hosted by Becker’s Hospital Review and sponsored by T-Mobile for Business, a panel of […]
There have been several significant developments with regard to Federal government telehealth policy. These include the recently enacted appropriations bill funding the Federal government for the balance of the fiscal year, a Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General data brief, the MedPAC annual report to Congress and statements by the Secretary […]
During the Delta and Omicron surges, hospitals and health systems faced significant challenges, prompting AHA to ask Congress for additional COVID-19 financial support. By Victoria Bailey March 24, 2022 – The American Hospital Association (AHA) has urged Congress to provide hospitals and health systems with additional COVID-19 financial support, including more Provider Relief Funds and an extension on the Medicare […]
Last week saw a lot of great news in the world of telehealth. On March 15, President Biden signed into law H.R. 2471, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022”, which extends many of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic for a period following the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). […]
Sixteen new projects have been selected to receive the funding in the last round of the program established in 2020 to support the advancement of connected care. By Anuja Vaidya March 23, 2022 – The Federal Communications Commission has selected 16 new Connected Care Pilot Program projects to receive $29.7 million in funding. This is the fourth and final set […]
Program Will Support Connected Care Services Across Country, Focus on Low-Income and Veteran Patients — WASHINGTON, March 16, 2022—Today, the Federal Communications Commission announced its fourth and final set of approved Connected Care Pilot Program projects. These 16 projects were approved for a total of $29,752,601 in funding. With the newly selected projects, the […]