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AMA Adopts Policy to Expand Access to Telehealth
Most physicians at the American Medical Association‘s virtual special meeting of its House of Delegates agreed that expanding access to telemedicine during the pandemic benefited patients and practices alike — saving at least one from bankruptcy. In a recent AMA poll, 60% said that telehealth has improved the health of their patients. Yet delegates struggled to craft […]
AMA plans to push for more telehealth ‘throughout the pandemic and beyond’
The American Medical Association has adopted new telehealth policy positions, the organization announced upon the Tuesday closing of a special five-day virtual meeting. In an email sent to the press Nov. 18, the organization’s media department said the updated telemedicine playbook directs the AMA to advocate with lawmakers and regulators on codifying rules governing coverage, access […]
9 barriers for patients accessing telehealth
The lack of access to technology and broadband internet are the most frequently cited barriers that physicians perceive as preventing their patients from participating in telehealth, according to the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition. For its Telehealth Impact Study, the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition surveyed 1,594 physicians and other healthcare professionals across the U.S. about their virtual care adoption practices, […]
Congress Eyes Permanent Medicare Coverage for Telehealth from Therapists
A bill introduced this week would permanently extend Medicare coverage for telehealth services delivered by physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists and audiologists. By Eric Wicklund November 18, 2020 – A group of lawmakers has introduced a bill that would ensure Medicare coverage for telehealth services provided by physical and occupational therapists, audiologists and speech and […]
Reps. Sherrill, McKinley Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Telehealth Services
Legislation expands practitioners eligible for Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Mike Sherrill (NJ-11), Rep. David McKinley (WV-01), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Rep. Denver Riggleman (VA-05), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Andre Carson (IN-07), Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03), Rep. Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Rep. Bobby Rush (IL-01), Rep. Albio Sires […]
FCC Opens Connected Care Pilot Program Application Filing Window
The Federal Communications Commission released a public notice announcing the application window for its Connected Care Pilot Program is now open and will close December 7. As we previously wrote, the $100 million, three-year Connected Care Pilot Program is designed to offset eligible healthcare providers’ costs for providing certain connected care services, particularly to treat low-income Americans and […]
Don’t Lose Focus on Your Compliance with Important COVID-19 Requirements
The HHS Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) published its intent to review some key measures the Federal government made in response to COVID-19. Those key measures include the Medicare program’s telehealth policy changes and oversight of funds disbursed to providers under the CARES Act and the Provider Relief Fund (“PRF”). While the OIG’s review focuses on the […]
AMA Delegates Examine COVID-19 Telehealth Change
Physicians discussed the best way to advocate for new flexibilities in telemedicine granted to patients and clinicians due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during the American Medical Association virtual Special Meeting of its House of Delegates. Whether in response to mandatory quarantines or patients’ concern for their own risk of transmitting the virus, many more patients are […]
Here’s my tipsheet for pending telemedicine legislation
THE CHALLENGES presented by COVID-19 have resulted in unprecedented changes to healthcare systems nationwide. Before the pandemic, only 1 percent of all physician visits in the US were conducted via telehealth. That number spiked to almost 50 percent in just the first month of the public health emergency, according to Medicare claims data. While telehealth usage […]
Dr. Madara: Pandemic demands nimble response and AMA is delivering
The COVID-19 pandemic has tested physicians and the health care system, and its full impact on society may not be known for some time. But is has also provided validation, even if painful, that the AMA’s strategic plan has put the organization on the right path, said James L. Madara, MD, the AMA’s executive vice […]
‘Virtual Hospital’ Model Passes Test in COVID-19 Patients
Only a few patients with COVID-19 pneumonia required hospitalization when they received care in a “hospital at home” (HaH) telemedicine program, researchers at one health system reported. Of nearly 1,500 patients enrolled in the program, 40 required hospitalization and eight needed ventilation; just two patients died, reported Kranthi Sitammagari, MD, of Atrium Health in Monroe, […]
Telehealth Boom Continues: CMS Adds New Covered Services
The push for increased telehealth coverage continues during the COVID-19 public health emergency (“PHE”). On October 14, 2020, CMS added 11 new telehealth services available for Medicare reimbursement during the PHE. The newly added services include cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services and certain neurostimulator analysis and programming services. Since the beginning of the PHE, CMS has added […]
HHS Prioritizes Telehealth Expansion for Rural Areas During Pandemic
The department released an action plan to address health care and technological disparities facing rural communities in response to the pandemic. Faith Ryan Thu, 11/12/2020 The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need for major investments in digital health services and technology across the country, including telehealth and broadband infrastructure — particularly in rural communities. As […]
Evaluating Telehealth Adoption and Related Barriers Among Hospitals Located in Rural and Urban Areas
Funding: This research was supported by National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Grant (R01MD011523), and National Institute on Aging Grant (R56AG062315), awarded to Jie Chen. Funding was also awarded to Deanna Barath from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Health Policy Research Scholars program. None of the funding bodies played […]