The hospital reimbursement increase should also come with quality incentive program revisions, while physician rates should stay the course, according to the March report to Congress. By Jacqueline LaPointe March 17, 2021 – In its annual March report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has recommended a 2 percent increase in Medicare hospital reimbursement rates in 2022 and […]
In the early morning of Feb. 27, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, by a 219-212 vote. Two Democrats joined with a united Republican caucus to oppose the bill. House Democratic leadership introduced and passed the American Rescue Plan the same week the United States […]
On March 10, 2021, Congress finalized and passed the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (ARP), the latest COVID-19 relief package that largely tracks President Biden’s initial $1.9 trillion proposal. The ARP extends unemployment insurance benefits and provides direct $1,400 stimulus payments to qualifying Americans, but it also makes several important health-policy-related changes. These include providing […]
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission is taking a cautious approach to long-term telehealth policy, telling lawmakers to extend COVID-19 telehealth freedoms for a few years before making any final decisions. By Eric Wicklund March 16, 2021 – The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission is taking a cautious approach to permanent telehealth policy, advising lawmakers to extend some emergency rules […]
The COVID-19 pandemic made healthcare visits over video or phone the norm, likely turning telehealth into a permanent fixture within the U.S. healthcare system. In fact, the majority of patient access leaders at large hospitals believe 20-30 percent of appointments will happen over video in 2021, according to recent research. Further, an overwhelming portion of those leaders – 95 […]
Several bills on Capitol Hill aim to expand telehealth coverage for mental health and substance abuse services delivered via telehealth, including efforts to reduce barriers to prescribing scheduled drugs. By Eric Wicklund March 15, 2021 – Congress will be taking a serious look at expanding telehealth coverage for mental health and substance abuse services this year. Last week […]
CMS has announced its final round of participants in the Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport (ET3) model, an innovative Medicare program that could use telehealth and mHealth tools to improve care for 911 callers. By Eric Wicklund March 15, 2021 – Federal officials have selected another 184 emergency healthcare providers to take part in an innovative program that […]
MedPAC survey found that 90% of Medicare beneficiaries were satisfied with telehealth WASHINGTON, DC, MARCH 16, 2021 – The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) appreciates that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), in their March 2021 report to Congress on Medicare payment policy, recognized the importance of telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and the need for policy […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers and providers are looking for ways to maintain expanded access to telehealth services. Telehealth is an essential tool in ensuring patients are able to access the health care services they need in as safe a manner as possible. In order to provide our clients […]
A bipartisan group of 50 Senators, led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), introduced the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2021, which builds on prior iterations of the bill with learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill attempts to address the post-pandemic Medicare telehealth landscape. While the federal […]
May 4, 2021 – Canistota, SD – On Monday, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr applauded legislation introduced in the Senate that would make permanent telehealth flexibilities that were made available during the COVID-19 pandemic and expand coverage of telehealth services. The Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2021, introduced […]
With lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic, health systems and telehealth vendors are shaping their connected health strategies – and identifying key trends – for years to come. May 04, 2021 – The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically altered the telehealth landscape, pushing providers to adopt or expand connected health platforms and tools to meet the demand for […]
Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 27, 2021)—A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday, April 22, to provide reimbursement to providers for telehealth services in the Medicare Home Health benefit. Introduced as S. 1309, the Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth (HEAT) Act is a top 2021 legislative priority for the […]
The home health industry hasn’t given up on securing telehealth reimbursement during the public health emergency. Their tenacity is being rewarded with recent legislative movement on Capitol Hill. A group of bipartisan Senators on Thursday introduced S. 1309, the new version of the Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth (HEAT) Act under the current Congress. […]