The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released an order implementing the CARES Act appropriation of $200 million for telehealth through a new program called the COVID-19 Telehealth Program and adopting a new Connected Care Pilot Program. The Connected Care Pilot Program will make an additional $100 million in federal universal service funds available for telehealth over the […]
HHS released an updated interim final rule on March 30 that will reimburse nephrologists and physician practice staff for all telehealth visits for patients in dialysis clinics and at home. Visits with patients via telephone are also now reimbursed, with payment based on the length of the call. “Most pertinent for nephrology, the [interim final […]
Store and Forward Store-and-forward telemedicine is collecting clinical information and sending it electronically to another site for evaluation. Information typically includes demographic data, medical history, documents such as laboratory reports, and image, video and/or sound files. The health professional may use a desktop computer or a mobile device, such as a smartphone to gather and […]
Heights resident Dr. Diane N. Roche, a licensed psychologist and clinical director at Roche + Associates, said her practice already had a protected online platform which in addition to managing medical records and appointment scheduling, offered secure video therapy sessions. But the video component was not often used. “For a handful of young adults, that […]
As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Congress appropriated significant funding for a number of telehealth programs and initiatives, including funding for programs administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service (RUS), the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services […]
Thanks to COVID-19, telehealth is experiencing a major boost. But will it last? In the last five years, the usage of telehealth services was far lower than the hype that surrounded it. A survey from JD Power conducted last July found that only 1 in 10 patients took advantage of such remote-care services. Now that’s all changing […]
On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) announced an additional expansion of telehealth services,[1] widening provider access to its 62 million Medicare beneficiaries. It also strongly encouraged state Medicaid programs and commercial payors to continue to do the same. Such action prioritizes the need of immediate and on-going care for […]
Physicians are now allowed to care for patients at rural hospitals “via phone, radio or online communication, without having to be physically present.”By Mike MiliardApril 10, 202011:26 AM The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has temporarily suspended several regulations to enable hospitals, clinics and other providers to boost their front-line medical staff during the coronavirus […]
Riverwood Healthcare Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Aitkin, Minn., quickly deployed a telehealth network to offer patients care virtually from their homes, according to a recent American Hospital Association case study. To prepare for treating patients during the coronavirus pandemic, RHCC went live on Zoom’s videoconferencing platform. The hospital has been using the virtual care […]
Law360 (April 10, 2020, 7:54 PM EDT) — The coronavirus pandemic has forced the federal government to lift barriers to telemedicine so patients can get care without leaving home. Those regulatory changes may be temporary, but experts say telehealth is here to stay. As the novel coronavirus continues its deadly march across the country, patients […]
The Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act, introduced on Friday, would set aside $2 billion for the FCC to improve broadband connectivity for telehealth programs taking on the Coronavirus pandemic. April 11, 2020 – A bill submitted to Congress on Friday aims to set aside $2 billion specifically to improve broadband connectivity for telehealth programs to tackle […]
The AMA has been working constantly with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify issues arising due to COVID-19 and to recommend specific actions to improve Medicare coverage of services and reduce regulatory burdens on physicians during this crisis. Featured updates: COVID-19 Below are key actions CMS has taken in response to […]
On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) announced an additional expansion of telehealth services,[1] widening provider access to its 62 million Medicare beneficiaries. It also strongly encouraged state Medicaid programs and commercial payors to continue to do the same. Such action prioritizes the need of immediate and on-going care for […]
Although the concept of telehealth has existed for decades, it’s been relatively slow to catch on. Getting patients to feel comfortable with the idea of online care—and finding medical professionals who felt confident about conducting their work in a remote setting—has not been easy. Even with willing participants and infrastructure in place, bureaucratic red tape […]
As we’ve previously discussed on the blog, telehealth is playing a critical role in delivering care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Congress and states continue to take action to expand the use and reimbursement of telehealth services. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) passed by Congress last Friday includes many provisions that further […]