Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
Key Healthcare Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023
Friday, January 6, 2023 Introduction On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the “Act”). The Act provides for nearly $1.7 trillion in funding across a range of domestic initiatives, including certain appropriations to healthcare and related programs. In addition to funding, the Act modifies certain telehealth provisions, expands and extends components […]
FOR FQHCS, RHCS, TELEHEALTH STILL HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE
For healthcare providers treating some of the most underserved populations and communities, the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency is pretty bleak. Federal waivers expanding access to and coverage of telehealth will end with the PHE, forcing them to curtail or even end programs that had seen quite a bit of success over the […]
Access to internet and other telehealth resources
Telehealth is a natural fit to cover healthcare gaps in rural and frontier locations. But the nature of rural living often means difficulty accessing the tools and resources needed for a successful and sustainable telehealth practice. On this page: Internet access for rural telehealth patients and providers Equipment and technology access for rural telehealth Solutions […]
Preparing rural patients for telehealth
Preparation is critical for patients who are new to receiving care through telehealth. Rural patients often have high levels of healthcare needs, but see healthcare providers less than their urban counterparts. In short, the people who need healthcare the most aren’t always getting it. Telehealth can be that bridge for rural patients to get the […]
Billing for rural telehealth
Billing and reimbursement for rural and frontier telehealth services is, in many ways, no different than any other healthcare service. There are also some stark differences. On this page: Medicare and Medicaid billing reimbursement Medicare billing guidance Medicare and Medicaid billing reimbursement The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health focuses on rural […]
Developing a rural telehealth workflow and strategy
Save time and avoid frustration by planning your telehealth workflow in advance. On this page: Get to know your community Create a business plan Market and advertise your telehealth services Evaluate your telehealth program A successful and sustainable telehealth practice in a rural area needs careful planning from the early research through implementation. We can […]
Introduction to rural telehealth
Learn strategies for developing a rural telehealth program. Rural frontier living can be a haven for the 60 million Americans that live in a rural part of the United States. It often means less traffic congestion, less pollution, and more open spaces.fq Rural living may also mean less access to critical healthcare infrastructure and technology. […]
Get started with rural telehealth
Learn the basic requirements for treating rural communities virtually. There are several ways to approach rural telehealth care. You could be living and working in a rural or frontier area and launching a new telehealth program. Or you could be located in a more urban or suburban area and expanding your practice to include rural […]
Proposed CY 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Extends Telehealth Flexibilities Post-PHE
On July 7, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual proposed rule updating the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year (CY) 2023, which included various proposed changes related to the provision of telehealth, including implementing telehealth provisions included within the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, and extending coverage through the end of […]
House passes bill to expand COVID-era telehealth services
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.), […]
Congress Extends Telehealth Benefits
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 […]
Regulations Open Doors for Telehealth Services in FQHCs
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 […]
Improving Healthcare Accessibility for Remote Communities Through Virtual Care Platforms
Access to healthcare services is essential for the health and well-being of all individuals. In an ideal world, all patients would be able to receive care when, and where they need it. However, for many who live in remote communities, this is not an option as barriers caused by distance can get in the way […]