{"id":26912,"date":"2020-04-07T19:12:44","date_gmt":"2020-04-07T19:12:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.mtelehealth.com\/?p=26912"},"modified":"2020-04-07T19:12:44","modified_gmt":"2020-04-07T19:12:44","slug":"telehealth-expansion-during-the-covid-19-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drmiltie.com\/at-home-testing\/telehealth-expansion-during-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Telehealth Expansion During the COVID-19 Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reimbursement under Medicare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In response to COVID-19, CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) has broadened access to Medicare telehealth services on a temporary and emergency basis for the duration of the Public Health Emergency. Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act\u2019s waiver authority and the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, Medicare recipients can now receive a wider array of healthcare services from their providers without having to leave their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This waiver allows Medicare to pay for telehealth visits, including office, hospital and other visits, virtual check-ins, and e-visits, furnished at the patient\u2019s own home. Telehealth services may be provided by doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, and licensed social workers. The goal of this waiver is to expand the use of technology to help limit the community spread of the virus by providing routine care to Medicare beneficiaries, especially vulnerable beneficiaries and beneficiaries with mild symptoms, at home. CMS has prepared detailed telehealth and telemedicine toolkits for General Practitioners<\/a>, End-Stage Renal Disease Providers<\/a>, and Long-Term Care Nursing Facilities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reimbursement under Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and MinnesotaCare<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On March 27, 2020, CMS approved<\/a> Minnesota\u2019s state Medicaid waiver request allowing certain flexibilities, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n