The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly caused at least a temporary restructuring of the U.S. healthcare system. This restructuring has impacted not only service delivery and healthcare funding but also the privacy of patients’ information. In the course of several weeks, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) […]
When the COVID-19 pandemic began and it became clear telehealth would be necessary for physicians and nurses to treat patients remotely, CMS boosted rates for telehealth visits so they matched rates for in-clinic visits and would sustain providers during the pandemic. CMS also relaxed its guidelines about the type of telehealth visits it would cover, making them accessible to […]
Telehealth had been gaining momentum in recent years, but the COVID-19 pandemic is propelling physician practices to quickly figure out how they can best use the technology to provide patients with care while practicing physical distancing. Featured updates: COVID-19 And the change is expected to have a lasting impact on medicine. AMA experts shared details […]
More than a month after the federal government issued widespread waivers to expand telehealth coverage amid the COVID-19 pandemic, therapists will finally be able to provide remote interventions under Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Thursday announced that it will allow physical, occupational, and speech therapy practitioners to provide Medicare-covered telehealth […]
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, HHS has taken steps to make it easier to provide telehealth services. Telehealth — sometimes referred to as telemedicine — describes the use of 2-way communication technology for certain health care services. We encourage health care providers to adopt and use telehealth as a way to safely provide care to […]
Home health and hospice providers now have greater clarity on how much initial emergency assistance they’ll be getting from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund, as well as when those direct deposits will hit their bank accounts. While details of the disbursements were originally scarce, it seems the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently provided Section 1135 waivers and guidance granting flexibilities to home health agencies (HHAs) and hospices during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic national emergency. Of note are an expanded ability for HHAs and hospices to provide some telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries as well as the easing of […]
Home health and hospice providers now have greater clarity on how much initial emergency assistance they’ll be getting from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund, as well as when those direct deposits will hit their bank accounts. While details of the disbursements were originally scarce, it seems the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) […]
Disbursements of $200 million fund could start by end of April. TAKEAWAYS Fund reimburses expenses for telecommunications service and equipment to provide COVID-19 related connected care services. FCC’s main goal is to rapidly disburse funds to hardest hit areas. Funding should be available by end of April. The Federal Communications Commission is moving quickly to […]
BACKGROUND ON THE PROGRAM What is the COVID-19 Telehealth Program? The Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopted the $200 million COVID-19 Telehealth Program in a Report and Order released April 2, 2020. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program was established by the Commission in response to the public health emergency brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program, the Commission will […]
On April 2, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched the $200 million Coronavirus (COVID-19) Telehealth Program contemplated in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Telehealth Program is distinguishable from the broader Connected Care Pilot Program, which will make an additional $100 million in federal universal service funds available for telehealth over the […]
