The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed permanent Medicare coverage of audio-only mental health telehealth services. Currently, Medicare covers audio-only telehealth under temporary waivers that will expire when the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends. The change, contained in the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, is intended to maintain patient access to mental […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP) proposed rule on July 13. This rule includes updates to payment rates for physicians and other health care professionals, expands the use of telehealth, clarifies evaluation and management (E/M) policies, proposes policies for the 2022 […]
The home health industry reached a major legislative milestone on Thursday, with U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) teaming up to introduce a new bill to support in-home care alternatives to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Endorsed by the AARP and supported by a long list of home-based care advocates, the Choose Home […]
The American Telemedicine Association and Alliance for Connected Care are among a group of 430 organizations urging Congress to expand virtual care coverage before the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. The organizations sent a letter July 26 to lawmakers asking to approve permanent telehealth provisions for Medicare beneficiaries, including removing geographical barriers for telehealth usage […]
On July 13, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) unveiled a proposal to temporarily extend Medicare coverage for particular telehealth services granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency (the “Pandemic”), in order to evaluate which services should be covered permanently. Through the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule (“PFS”), CMS is allowing certain services to remain […]
The Choose Home Care Act of 2021 would expand Medicare coverage for seniors who choose to go home after a hospital stay rather than to a skilled nursing facility. It would also open the door to remote patient monitoring, telehealth and other services. By Eric Wicklund July 30, 2021 – Home healthcare providers are divided over a bill […]
Unpacking the impact of COVID-19 will take years. In the U.S. alone hundreds of thousands of people lost loved ones, lost their incomes and are still managing the virus’ long-term physical effects. Many more are dealing with increased anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. If there are any silver linings from what we’ve endured […]
Increased telehealth use under the pandemic is encouraging members to engage more with their health plans, according to a new report from J.D. Power. J.D. Power’s annual Commercial Member Health Plan Study found 36% of commercial plan members said they had used telehealth services, up from 9% in 2020’s study. That corresponded with a gain in member satisfaction […]
Senator John Kennedy is hoping that four telehealth bills packaged together can push Congress to take action on long-term connected health policy. By Eric Wicklund June 21, 2021 – With Congress facing dozens of bills aimed at improving telehealth coverage beyond the pandemic, one Senator is pressing the issue by combining four bills into one piece of legislation. […]
The Big Picture This month, a majority of states are beginning to adjourn their 2021 legislative sessions. Across the country, lawmakers considered and passed a wide range of health care legislation, including coverage expansions as well as strategies to contain prescription drug costs, address health care affordability, advance and expand telehealth, and ensure behavioral health care […]
Remote patient monitoring solutions can play a critical role in chronic care management and home health programs that work to drive down care costs and improve patient outcomes. By Emily Sokol, MPH June 17, 2021 – Chronic care management and home health initiatives can drive down care costs and promote better patient outcomes. A key tool in these […]
When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in early 2020, some health systems were forced to dramatically expand their telehealth capabilities in a matter of days. As clinicians and patients alike became more comfortable with virtual care technology, adoption increased exponentially in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Long after the pandemic surge and even as in-person […]
The American Medical Association has launched a new program to help providers craft a long-term strategy for telehealth scalability and sustainability. By Eric Wicklund June 14, 2021 – The American Medical Association has launched a new program aimed at helping providers optimize and expand their telehealth programs. Meg Barron, the AMA’s vice president of digital health strategy, says the […]
The American Medical Association teamed up with Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital and New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System on a May report to develop a framework for measuring the value of virtual care. As telehealth becomes more integrated into healthcare offerings, the AMA developed a virtual care foundation to guide clinicians, payers and virtual care leaders […]
While more than one in four (27 percent) of Medicare beneficiaries had a telehealth visit between the summer and fall of 2020, participants ranged by factors including age and race, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation report. Here is a breakdown of the beneficiaries who used telehealth last summer and fall, based on age, race/ethnicity, […]