Track Two: Impact Grants Track Two: Impact Grant funds must be used in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and to advance ideas and solutions to solve regional rural health care problems to support the long-term sustainability of rural health care. Long-term sustainability is defined as “improved health outcomes, improved access to quality health care, and creating […]
Track One: Recovery Grants Track One: Recovery funds must be used in correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic, and to support immediate health care needs, to help prepare for a future pandemic event, to increase access to quality health care services, or to support food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities. Grants range from $25,000 […]
The FCC has announced 62 award winners – one in each state and territory and Washington DC – for the first round of the newly revamped COVID-19 Telehealth Program. By Eric Wicklund August 27, 2021 – The Federal Communications Commission has approved 62 projects for funding under the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. The projects are the first to be […]
DA 21-1052 Released: August 26, 2021 Wireline Competition Bureau Approves first group of Funding Awardees in ROUND 2 OF COVID-19 tELEHEALTH PROGRAM Health Care Providers in Every State, Territory, and the District of Columbia to Receive Critical Support for Telehealth and Connected Care Services WC Docket No. 20-89 Today, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) approves […]
Media Contact: Katie Gorscak katie.gorscak@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ANNOUNCES NEW COVID-19 TELEHEALTH PROGRAM AWARDS TOTALING NEARLY $42 MILLION TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN EVERY STATE AND TERRITORY — WASHINGTON, August 26, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission today approved an initial set of 62 applications for funding commitments totaling $41.98 million […]
A Montana Congressman has introduced a bill that would establish Medicare coverage for asynchronous (store-and-forward) telehealth services in all 50 states, expanding the possibilities for a platform that would improve rural access to care. By Eric Wicklund August 09, 2021 – A Montana Congressman wants to improve rural healthcare access by ensuring Medicare coverage for asynchronous (store-and-forward) telehealth […]
This video reviews the Proposed Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for CY 2022 as it relates to telehealth.
While focusing on research to tackle cancer and other diseases, the massive Cures 2.0 bill unveiled last week includes provisions aimed at extending telehealth coverage and access beyond the pandemic. By Eric Wicklund June 28, 2021 – The next phase of the 21st Century Cures Act includes several measures to boost Medicare coverage for telehealth, through both new […]
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 quickly led to rapid adoption of telehealth across all healthcare sectors, including hospice and palliative care. A year later, hospice and palliative clinicians continue to incorporate telehealth into their daily practices to help establish, implement and inform a plan of care for home-based, seriously ill patients and […]
Most pursued changes via administrative action, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report, which may not be a permanent solution after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. By Kat Jercich June 24, 2021 03:01 PM The Commonwealth Fund released an issue brief this week reviewing state actions to expand individual and group health insurance coverage of telemedicine […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed permanent Medicare coverage of audio-only mental health telehealth services. Currently, Medicare covers audio-only telehealth under temporary waivers that will expire when the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends. The change, contained in the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, is intended to maintain patient access to mental […]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP) proposed rule on July 13. This rule includes updates to payment rates for physicians and other health care professionals, expands the use of telehealth, clarifies evaluation and management (E/M) policies, proposes policies for the 2022 […]
The home health industry reached a major legislative milestone on Thursday, with U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) teaming up to introduce a new bill to support in-home care alternatives to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Endorsed by the AARP and supported by a long list of home-based care advocates, the Choose Home […]
The American Telemedicine Association and Alliance for Connected Care are among a group of 430 organizations urging Congress to expand virtual care coverage before the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. The organizations sent a letter July 26 to lawmakers asking to approve permanent telehealth provisions for Medicare beneficiaries, including removing geographical barriers for telehealth usage […]
On July 13, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) unveiled a proposal to temporarily extend Medicare coverage for particular telehealth services granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency (the “Pandemic”), in order to evaluate which services should be covered permanently. Through the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule (“PFS”), CMS is allowing certain services to remain […]