In advance of the next session of Congress, lawmakers are scrambling to file new bills or resubmit old bills that aim to expand telehealth access and coverage through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic. By Eric Wicklund January 29, 2021 – The telehealth bills are starting to pile up on Capitol Hill. At least three more bills have been […]
Digital technologies have transformed almost every aspect of the health care and life sciences industry—from electronic health records and telemedicine, to diagnostics and therapeutics augmented by artificial intelligence, and to remote clinical trials. The year 2020 witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzing unprecedented levels of digital health innovation and adoption. The digital health industry is entering […]
The relief bill signed into law this past weekend by President Trump includes $250 million for the Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was shut down in July after exhausting its budget. By Eric Wicklund December 29, 2020 – The latest federal COVID-19 relief bill is giving new life to a program aimed at expanding telehealth through […]
Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 26, 2021)—Rep. Mike Thompson (D-California), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Telehealth Caucus, along with caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) and David Schweikert (R-Arizona) and caucus member Rep. Doris Matsui (D-California)announced the reintroduction of the Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act. This bipartisan bill […]
In Short The Situation: Telehealth services continue to evolve and show promise for improving quality care, care coordination, and access to services while often demonstrating cost effective options for care. The Action: The Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) finalized its proposed exception to the Beneficiary Inducements Civil Monetary Penalties Law to protect certain telehealth technologies […]
The impetus to provide more Medicare coverage of telehealth may prove irresistible, but the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has some reservations, including that telehealth payment rates should not favor companies like Dallas-based Teladoc Health Inc. over bricks-and-mortar clinics. This and other considerations are driving the commission toward a recommendation that a two-year telehealth pilot […]
Many remote patient monitoring programs are in the early stages of development, research from Insights by Xtelligent Healthcare Media found. By Emily Sokol, MPH December 17, 2020 – Many remote patient monitoring programs aim to prevent health emergencies for patients with chronic conditions, but these programs tend to still be in the early stages of development, according to […]
The Big Picture Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have dramatically—but temporarily—expanded coverage and reimbursement for telehealth services. On December 1, CMS issued the final calendar year (CY) 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) final rule and interim final rule, including several changes to Medicare Part […]
While much of the health care industry looks to put this year in the rear view mirror, planning ahead for Connecticut providers who treat Medicare beneficiaries requires taking stock of the recently issued Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule that goes into effect January 1, 2021. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) annual update of payment […]
The 2021 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule recently released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) includes the addition of 60 new telehealth services that will be covered and reimbursed by Medicare. The new services will allow Medicare beneficiaries to have greater access to telehealth, with a particular focus on residents of rural areas, […]
The Big Picture Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have dramatically—but temporarily—expanded coverage and reimbursement for telehealth services. On December 1, CMS issued the final calendar year (CY) 2021 Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) final rule and interim final rule, including several changes to Medicare Part […]
On December 3, 2020, HHS issued its fourth amendment to the Declaration for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID-19 under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act). The PREP Act authorizes the Secretary of HHS to issue a declaration to provide liability protections to certain individuals and entities (Covered Persons) against any claim of loss […]
In a letter to Congressional leaders, several telehealth groups have asked that emergency measures enacted during the coronavirus pandemic be kept in place through 2021 as Congress continues to work on long-term coverage. By Eric Wicklund December 15, 2020 – Telehealth advocates are lobbying Congress to get something done before the end of the year to ensure continued […]
As of December 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has permanently expanded the number of telehealth services available to Medicare beneficiaries and enrollees as part of the FY2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (Final Rule). This historic expansion follows President Trump’s August 2020 Executive Order on Improving Rural Health and Telehealth […]
The historic $900 billion coronavirus (COVID-19) relief package deal that the President signed into law this past weekend – the second largest economic stimulus legislation ever produced by Congress – includes $7 billion in new funding for broadband-related purposes. Most of these funds will go to new programs seeking to narrow the digital divide by […]
