Telehealth
What’s next for telehealth under the Biden administration?
There’s lots of work to do expanding access for underserved patients, said experts at the American Telemedicine Association’s EDGE policy conference. By Kat Jercich January 12, 2021 03:33 PM The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a flurry of changes to regulations around telehealth and virtual care – the vast majority of which expire once the public health […]
Lawmakers Face Pressure to Address Licensure Barriers for Telehealth Adoption
The Alliance for Connected Care has sent an open letter to federal and state policymakers urging them to develop licensure guidelines that would allow providers to treat patients in other states via telehealth. By Eric Wicklund January 14, 2021 – The Alliance for Connected Care is putting pressure on lawmakers at both the state and federal levels to […]
CMS Clarifies 2021 PFS Reimbursements for Remote Patient Monitoring
In an update posted this week in the Federal Register, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has amended the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule to clarify reimbursement for remote patient monitoring programs. By Eric Wicklund January 20, 2021 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made corrections to the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule, opening the door […]
Today’s Virtual Care Revolution: How Policy Has Shaped And Will Continue To Shape Telehealth
Some will say 2020 was the year that everything changed, but in reality, it will be 2021 that determines our new healthcare reality. Virtual care advanced quickly—and under duress—last year. How will we learn from the seismic shifts in care delivery we experienced thanks to COVID-19? How can we help providers and innovators embrace the […]
Staff Training, Education May be the Keys to Telehealth Sustainability
Dozens of health systems and organizations in New York are joining forces with the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center to launch a statewide telehealth training program. By Eric Wicklund January 22, 2021 – As healthcare providers look to launch or expand their telehealth networks, a key ingredient to success and sustainability is a staff that knows how to use […]
The “State” of Telehealth: New Jersey
Saturday, January 23, 2021 This article is the first post in our new “State” of Telehealth series in which we discuss innovation on a state level on the expansion of telehealth access, coverage and reimbursement. On January 14, 2021, the New Jersey Senate Committee approved a proposed bill (Bill S-2559, the “Bill”) that, if signed into law, […]
OIG audits telehealth home services, studies HHAs’ pandemic strategies
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General recently has disclosed it is conducting an audit of home health services that were provided as telehealth during COVID-19. In addition, it is studying the challenges home health agencies (HHAs) have faced in providing care during the pandemic. In recent months, the Centers for […]
‘Really difficult nut to crack’: MedPAC torn over telehealth regs post-COVID-19
Dive Brief: Members of an influential congressional advisory committee on Medicare are torn on how best to regulate telehealth after the COVID-19 public health emergency, hinting at the difficulty Washington faces as it looks to impose guardrails on virtual care without restricting its use after the pandemic ends. During a Thursday virtual meeting, the Medicare […]
FCC Unveils 14 Initial Projects Selected for $100M Connected Care Pilot Program
FCC announces initial 14 pilot project selected for $100M Connected Care Pilot Program that will support connected care service across the country and focus on low-income and veteran patients. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced an initial set of 14 pilot projects with over 150 treatment sites in 11 states that have been selected for […]
Final Policy, Payment, and Quality Provisions Changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2021
On December 1, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that includes updates on policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and other Medicare Part B issues, on or after January 1, 2021. Background on the Physician Fee Schedule Since 1992, Medicare has paid for […]
CMS Finalizes Telehealth, RPM Coverage in 2021 Physician Fee Schedule
The agency has released its long-awaited final document on Medicare coverage for telehealth and remote patient monitoring services in the coming year, building upon trends seen during this year’s coronavirus pandemic. By Eric Wicklund December 02, 2020 – Telehealth and remote patient monitoring will see significant improvements in Medicare coverage in 2021. The long-awaited 2021 Physician Fee Schedule, unveiled […]
Medicare Extends COVID-19 Telehealth Coverage in Diabetes Prevention Programs
As part of the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule, Medicare will continue to reimburse Diabetes Prevention Program providers who use certain telehealth services – but only for the duration of the public health emergency. By Eric Wicklund December 02, 2020 – Healthcare providers who use telehealth in their Diabetes Prevention Programs will continue to be reimbursed through Medicare during […]
COVID-19 Relief Stimulus Bill
The following is a summary of the elements contained within SEC. 903. Of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, Entitled, “FCC COVID–19 TELEHEALTH PROGRAM.” $249,950,000 in additional funds is appropriated for the FCC COVID–19 Telehealth Program In early January, 2021, the FCC shall issue a Public Notice of a 10-day comment period. Comment should include: […]