March 17, 2020 – The Trump Administration recently announced the expansion of telehealth services in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus. Providers will now be reimbursed for virtual care at the same rate they are for in-person visits. Using telehealth services, patients and providers will be able to communicate virtually. This will help patients avoid […]
On Friday, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services loosened requirements that would make it easier for hospitals to bolster care through telehealth. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented changes that would […]
One day after the declaration of a state of emergency by the Trump administration on Friday, March 13, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”). In addition to funding for nutrition services and several key tax provisions designed to allow for additional family leave for coronavirus victims […]
(CNN)President Donald Trump offered Americans a fresh weapon to fight the novel coronavirus in his Rose Garden emergency declaration on Friday: Telehealth.In his remarks, Trump said his administration will waive certain federal rules to make it easier for more doctors to provide care remotely using video chats and other services.”I tell you, what they’ve done with telehealth is […]
On Monday, March 9, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released information on permissible flexibilities and obligations that are in effect during a disaster and emergency resulting from COVID-19. Flexibilities Medicare Advantage Plans (MA). In the memorandum issued, CMS outlined the flexibilities Medicare Advantage and Part D plans have to waive certain requirements. […]
As coronavirus spreads, health officials have had to adopt a very cold calculus. Resources are scarce, so they can only test a limited number of people. Those who are infected need to be diagnosed, monitored, and quarantined. But, sending everyone with fever or a cough to a hospital or clinic, especially in the midst of cold and flu season, would […]
Recognizing that patients prioritize convenient and inexpensive care, Duffy and Lee recently asked whether in-person visits should become the second, third, or even last option for meeting patient needs.1 Previous work has specifically described the potential for using telemedicine in disasters and public health emergencies.2 No telemedicine program can be created overnight, but U.S. health systems that […]
The coronavirus epidemic is rapidly escalating in the United States. In addition to social distancing measures, such as canceling public events and working from home, we need a health system strategy premised on testing, telehealth, and treatment that achieves the twin objectives of curbing transmission and optimizing care for the influx of patients expected in the coming weeks. With […]
As the pandemic that is the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, telehealth technology is finding its footing as people become more concerned about their level of exposure to the virus and as health systems expect to be overwhelmed with treating those affected. President Donald Trump recently signed an $8.3 billion package that, in part, allows Department […]
The use of virtual visits climbs as a way of safely treating patients and containing spread of the infection at hospitals, clinics and medical offices. The man had recently traveled, including a brief stop in Tokyo. He had a fever and cough about a week ago, but was now feeling fine. He called the virtual […]
On March 6, 2020, the president signed into law H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (“Act”). This law provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. In addition, the law allows the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (“Secretary”) to […]
As the novel coronavirus outbreak continues, the federal government and commercial health insurers have taken significant steps to increase Americans’ access to treatment and testing. In the past week, the federal government and private insurers have issued a number of guidance documents expanding coverage and payment requirements in an effort to minimize the spread of […]
The CMS has encouraged Medicare Advantage plans to eliminate or reduce cost-sharing for their members affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Medicare Advantage, the private alternative to the traditional Medicare program, serves roughly 22 million seniors and disabled adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that older adults and people with serious chronic medical […]
Virtual care solutions may prevent straining of the health system’s resources and are often low-cost or free, sources told HR Dive. Analysts and consultants have highlighted virtual care as an important trend for the future of healthcare delivery in the U.S. Leading organizations such as Amazon are expanding pilots of telehealth: The e-commerce giant announced last month […]
The Reducing Unnecessary Senior Hospitalizations (RUSH) Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation introduced in both the House and Senate, aims to enable more widespread use of telehealth in skilled nursing facilities. WHY IT MATTERS The RUSH Act – introduced in companion bills from Sens. John Thune, R-South Dakota, and Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, and from Reps. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, […]