During the COVID-19 crisis, there has been unprecedented interest in the use of telehealth as its unique qualities make it an invaluable tool when faced with a highly infectious disease.  Pre-COVID-19 telehealth policy barriers have been removed at a rapid rate, however, these changes are temporary.  Once the initial...

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICESCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C2-21-16Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850Center for Clinical Standards and Quality/Quality, Safety & Oversight GroupAdmin Info: 20-06-CLIADATE: April 30, 2020TO: State Survey Agency DirectorsFROM: DirectorQuality, Safety & Oversight GroupSUBJECT: CMS SARS-CoV-2 Laboratory Testing ComparisonBackground:CMS is committed to...

COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests for whichMedicare Does Not Require a Practitioner Order During the PHE*Updated May 12, 2020CPT/HCPCSCode Laboratory Code Long DescriptorCodeCategoryCOVID-19 Related CodesU0001 CDC 2019-nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel COVID-19U00022019-nCoV Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV (COVID-19), any technique, multiple types orsubtypes (includes all targets), non-CDC)COVID-19U0003Infectious agent detection...

 Medicare 1135 Waivers & Two Interim Final Rules Enabling Health System Expansion Medicare 1135 Waivers & Two Interim Final Rules •CMS has two critical roles: •Ensure Medicare beneficiaries receive safeand effectivecare during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). •Ensure Medicare payment/coverage policies during the COVID-19 PHE do not impedeproviders...

Updated: 5/1/2020 COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing The FAQs in this document supplement the following previously released FAQs: 1135 Waiver FAQs, available at https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency- Information/Emergency/Downloads/MedicareFFS-EmergencyQsAs1135Waiver.pdf, and Without 1135 Waiver FAQs, available at https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency- Information/Emergency/Downloads/Consolidated_Medicare_FFS_Emergency_QsAs.pdf). We note that in many instances, the general statements of...

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...

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...

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...

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...