{"id":41319,"date":"2023-04-10T11:03:35","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T15:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtelehealth.com\/?p=41319"},"modified":"2023-04-10T11:03:35","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T15:03:35","slug":"what-fqhcs-need-to-know-about-telehealth-after-the-phe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drmiltie.com\/at-home-testing\/what-fqhcs-need-to-know-about-telehealth-after-the-phe\/","title":{"rendered":"What FQHCs Need to Know About Telehealth After the PHE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

\u201cThis article was originally published by Foley & Lardner LLP [What FQHCs Need to Know About Telehealth After the PHE | Foley & Lardner LLP<\/a>] on [April 10, 2023], and is reprinted with permission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On January 30, 2023, the Biden Administration announced<\/a> its intent to end<\/a> the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. For Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), flexibilities offered under the PHE expanded opportunities to be paid for telehealth services, particularly for Medicare patients. Any FQHC relying on PHE flexibilities should begin preparing for the end of the PHE to ensure its service offerings are in compliance with post-pandemic requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicare Telehealth Reimbursement for FQHCs Will Be Sharply Limited for Most Services After December 31, 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the PHE will officially end on May 11, 2023, Section 4113 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023<\/a> (CAA) extended the Medicare authority for an FQHC to receive payment for telehealth services to December 31, 2024. Unless further changes are made, however, Medicare payment to FQHCs for distant-site telehealth services will largely become unavailable after December 31, 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the PHE, FQHCs have been allowed to serve as distant site providers furnishing telehealth services through interactive real-time audio and video technology, and in some instances, through audio-only technology. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been required to develop special payment rates for these telehealth services for the period in which they are authorized. Health care practitioners furnishing distant site telehealth services have been able to do so from any location, including their home, during the time in which they are working for the FQHC. Covered services have included all telehealth services included on the list of Medicare telehealth services under the Physician Fee Schedule. In contrast, once the PHE flexibilities lapse (including the flexibilities extended through the CAA), FQHCs may not serve as distant practitioners for telehealth services, with the exception of mental health services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, during the PHE a patient\u2019s home has been allowed as an originating site \u2014 meaning the patient may be physically located at home while receiving FQHC covered telehealth services. After December 31, 2024, patients\u2019 homes will not be eligible originating sites, and most FQHCs may serve as the originating site for telehealth services only when located in a rural health professional shortage area or a county that is not included in a metropolitan statistical area. One exception allows the patient\u2019s home to be an originating site for patients receiving treatment for substance use disorders and related conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other more limited Medicare telehealth flexibilities will end for FQHCs earlier. For example, on May 11, 2023, when the PHE ends, FQHCs will no longer be able to bill for virtual communication services without qualifying in-person visits or post-virtual visit conditions, nor allow patient consent to occur at the time of virtual check-ins and e-visits. Furthermore, on December 31, 2023, the flexibility allowing FQHCs to utilize interactive audio and video telecommunications technology to meet direct supervision requirements will end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FQHCs Will Have More Flexibility to Furnish Mental Health Services Via Telehealth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After December 31, 2024, mental health services may still be furnished through telehealth by clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, or other FQHC practitioners providing mental health services to patients located at their homes, subject to the following conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n