The House passed a bill Wednesday to expand telehealth services that were first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation, titled the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act, passed in a 416-12 vote. Eleven Republicans and one Democrat objected to the measure. Two Republicans did not vote. Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Jody Hice (R-Ga.), […]
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has extended the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for another 90 days. A continued federally declared emergency allows flexibilities instituted by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to remain intact, such as 1135 waivers of certain hospice rules. These flexibilities permitted the use […]
Despite bad news on the fee cut, some provisions on ACOs have doctors cheering by Joyce Frieden, Washington Editor, MedPage July 15, 2022 WASHINGTON — Physician group responses to the proposed 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule ranged from disappointment over the proposed 4.4% overall payment cut to praise for many of the provisions related to accountable […]
The CY 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule would follow through on several cuts to physician reimbursement while aiming to bolster behavioral and ACO care. By Jacqueline LaPointe July 11, 2022 – CMS has proposed a decrease to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor, which would lead to significant cuts to physician reimbursement next year. The federal agency […]
On July 7, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2023 Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Medicare Part B Proposed Rule, which was published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2022. The proposed rule includes proposals related to Medicare physician payment […]
Despite numerous bills to solidify telehealth flexibilities enacted during the pandemic, none have passed in Congress, leaving the future of telehealth access and adoption uncertain. By Anuja Vaidya June 20, 2022 – The significant spike in the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic was made possible by numerous legislative waivers that were quickly enacted as in-person care […]
As the Center for Connected Health Policy has continued to update our Telehealth Policy Finder over the course of 2022, a few new elements are beginning to emerge in newly passed legislation and in adopted Medicaid policies. While these may not yet be trends, they have potential to develop into trends, as it is common […]
Congress has extended telehealth benefits for Medicare beneficiaries and for participants in high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts. The extension keeps telehealth benefits in place that were greatly expanded at the start of the pandemic. But the future of expanded telehealth medicine remains uncertain. The telehealth extension was enacted on a temporary basis as […]
Earlier this month, two telehealth bills intended to expand patient access to virtual healthcare were introduced to the United States Congress. Each bill seeks to continue building upon the availability of certain telehealth services that existed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The first bill, known as the Kidney Health Connect Act, is designed to allow patients […]
COVID-19 has led to dramatic increases in adoption of telehealth by both physicians and patients. Policymakers should seize the opportunity to make permanent policy that supports many of these advancements beyond the pandemic. Why telehealth is important In the March 15, 2022, episode of Moving Medicine, AMA Chief Experience Officer Todd Unger discusses the importance of […]
Make sure your facility is aware of all the Medicare policy changes that permit payment for expanded services. Telehealth as a healthcare delivery platform has been in existence since the late 1960s. It was first introduced through projects initiated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Nebraska Psychology Institute. The declaration of […]
Two bills, introduced in the US House and Senate, aim to extend certain flexibilities enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. By Mark Melchionna June 01, 2022 – Congress will consider two new bills that intend to create accessible options for virtual healthcare, particularly for some Medicare beneficiaries and rural residents. US Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) with Sen. John […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers, and providers are looking for ways to expand access to telehealth services. Telehealth is an essential tool in ensuring patients are able to access the healthcare services they need in as safe a manner as possible. In order to provide our clients with quick […]
Remote Patient Monitoring is becoming a more common practice among Medicare patients who want to keep costs down while still receiving the necessary care they need. RPM billing can be beneficial for patients who are unable to come into the office or clinic due to transportation issues. It is important for providers to review the patient’s records […]