Remote Patient Monitoring
FCC Releases $200M COVID-19 Telehealth Program Guidance: Your Questions Answered
On April 2, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released its Report and Order 20-44 outlining how it plans to distribute $200 million appropriated to it by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The COVID-19 Telehealth Program (the “Program”) will allow eligible providers to be reimbursed for “telecommunication services, information services, and […]
CMS Updates FAQ Document on Medicare Coverage for Telehealth
In light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated its FAQs on Medicare coverage for telehealth services. April 13, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated its guidance document on Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services during the Coronavirus pandemic. In its 38-page FAQ update unveiled last week, […]
CMS Gives Doctors More Telehealth Flexibility, Postpones ET3 Launch
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is relaxing the telehealth rules again so that providers can practice at the top of their license; the agency is also postponing its new mHealth program for EMS providers to the fall. April 13, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is suspending more regulations tied to […]
A Blueprint for Telehealth Success for Skilled Nursing Facilities
SNFs are turning to telehealth to improve clinical and operational outcomes, particularly in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, but successful adoption requires an attention to details. April 13, 2020 – With a high-risk patient population and razor-thin business margins, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have been adopting telehealth platforms to reduce costly rehospitalizations and improve clinical […]
FCC Begins Virus Telehealth Push as Eligibility Questions Linger
Health providers can apply starting Monday for $200 million in telehealth funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic, even as they fault eligibility restrictions and wrestle to apply regulations for using the aid. The eligibility and regulatory questions highlight the challenges the government faces in quickly distributing aid intended to fund broadband-connected devices such as video […]
5 things hospitals must know about applying to FCC’s $200M telehealth program
The FCC will open its application portal today to hospitals interested in applying to its $200 million COVID-19 telehealth program. The program is part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law March 27. Under the program, hospitals and health centers can apply for up […]
AMA offers further guidance for telehealth rollouts
Its updated Digital Health Implementation Playbook Series offers tips and best practices for making the most of virtual consult technologies. The American Medical Association has put together a new guide to help providers implement real-time virtual visits between clinicians and patients. WHY IT MATTERSThe 128-page update to AMA’s Digital Health Implementation Playbook Series comes as telehealth adoption […]
‘No Strings Attached’: CMS Sending $30 Billion to Home Health Agencies, Other Medicare Providers
If home health and hospice providers discover an unexpected Medicare payment from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) later this week, they shouldn’t be too alarmed — it’s not a billing error. The surprise deposit isn’t a mistake, but rather a no-strings-attached bump to help maintain operational stability amid coronavirus disruption. CMS Administrator […]
CMS Releases Allocation Details, Conditions of Participation for Emergency Payments to Home Health Providers
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) started doling […]
CMS eases restrictions for physicians in long-term care facilities
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has eased a number of service restrictions on physicians who provide care for residents in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. The changes join a growing list of so-called “blanket waivers” temporarily granted to healthcare providers and institutions during the COVID-19 crisis. The physician waivers specifically address staff […]
CMS Releases Allocation Details, Conditions of Participation for Emergency Payments to Home Health Providers
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) started doling […]
Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency. We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including older persons and persons with disabilities. – Roger Severino, OCR Director. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is […]
Telehealth, telemedicine here to stay, says expert
One of the obvious outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic is that telemedicine and telehealth will no longer be a wave of the future. They’re here and here to stay. Gov. Asa Hutchinson loosened regulations on the use of telehealth due to the coronavirus outbreak that had previously limited the ability of doctors, nurses and patients […]