More than 350 stakeholders representing major employer, patient, provider, and payer groups are urging a lame-duck Congress to extend into 2023 a waiver allowing employers to cover telehealth services for their employees before they spend down their deductible. The waiver, which loosens rules for employees’ pre-tax contributions to health savings accounts, was included in the […]
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has signed off on the home health payment rule finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last month. After its review, the GAO found that CMS appropriately determined the impact of the difference between assumed versus actual behavior change on estimated aggregate expenditures for home health payments. “GAO […]
On November 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule. This article highlights noteworthy provisions of the Final Rule related to telehealth and other remote services. Of particular note, the Final Rule contains provisions extending Medicare coverage to additional telehealth services, […]
Highlights The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule on Nov. 1, 2022, which impacts Medicare Part B payments starting on Jan. 1, 2023. CMS finalized several significant payment policy changes, including revaluing remaining evaluation and management codes, continuing its four-year phase-in of clinical […]
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that despite an overall decline in visit rates throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, high telehealth availability led to better care engagement among Medicaid beneficiaries with mental health conditions treated within federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Various studies have shown telehealth has expanded and improved care for mental health patients and those […]
Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, concerns regarding the sudden halt of in-person care grew. As hospitals swelled with novel coronavirus cases, many worried about chronic care needs not being met – especially among cancer patients. These concerns were not unfounded. A study published in late November 2020 showed that the pandemic significantly delayed identifying new cancers […]
As the final votes of the 2022 Midterm Elections are counted, Republicans have taken back control of the House of Representatives, while the Democrats will retain control of the Senate. Both chambers will be held by extremely thin margins, which will boost the status of centrists in each party. The change in House Majority gives […]
In pursuit of broader telehealth affordability, the Alliance to Fight for Health Care organized a letter to Congress that requests an extension of the telehealth provision allowing employers to offer telehealth services pre-deductible to employees with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The Alliance to Fight for Health Care is a group of businesses, patient advocates, employer organizations, […]
On November 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule for the 2023 Calendar Year (CY 2023) Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) (the Final Rule). The Final Rule, issued on November 1, includes updates and policy changes related to Medicare payments under the MPFS. While the Final Rule is […]
With the goal of filling in gaps related to virtual healthcare, the American Medical Association (AMA) and Manatt Health released a Blueprint for Optimizing Digitally Enabled Care, which describes six pillars that can help optimize digital health practices. According to the AMA, there is untapped potential associated with digitally enabled care. The organization noted that investments, technology adoption, […]
New American Heart Association statement finds telehealth is effective for CVD care, however, issues like access to technology hinder widespread adoption Statement Highlights: Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 DALLAS, Nov. 14, 2022 — Telehealth is a proven and valuable option for people with cardiovascular disease, however, there are limitations […]
Whether fighting to stop Medicare pay cuts, fix prior authorization or reduce administrative burdens that lead to burnout, the AMA has physicians’ backs. And when it comes to advancing health equity and protecting patients’ access to evidence-based reproductive health care, gender-affirming services and reliable scientific facts, the AMA won’t back down. “You know and I […]
The U.S. will extend the COVID-19 public health emergency past January 11, 2023, CNBC reported Nov. 11. A 12th extension of the PHE since the first in January 2020 is also likely because of a lack of public statement from HHS warning about a termination. The agency last renewed the PHE Oct. 13 for an additional 90 […]
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and ATA Action co-led a letter, along with the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), urging the Biden administration and the DEA to take action to ensure patients now remotely accessing clinically appropriate care do not have their access to care interrupted when the public health […]
WASHINGTON, DC, NOVEMBER 11, 2022 – The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and ATA Action co-led a letter, along with the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), urging the Biden administration and the DEA to take action to ensure the vulnerable cohort of patients now remotely accessing clinically appropriate care do not […]